Zambia's Hichilema Wins Second Presidential Term

Hakainde Hichilema has secured a second five-year term as Zambia's president, with the electoral commission announcing he won over 60 percent of the vote in the first round.

The election took place on August 13, 2026. Hichilema, who first came to power in 2021, thanked Zambians for renewing his mandate, stating the election demonstrated the country remains a nation of peace, law, order, and democracy. His victory provides investors with continuity, though they now seek economic growth. Hichilema entered the election in a strong position, having restructured the country's debt burden during his first term and stabilized the economy, despite ongoing cost-of-living struggles for many citizens.

The opposition faced fragmentation following the death of former president Edgar Lungu and the implosion of the Patriotic Front party. However, concerns were raised regarding the election's integrity, with some analyses suggesting discrepancies between presidential and parliamentary votes in certain constituencies. These discrepancies, described as a well-established warning sign of electoral manipulation, could potentially lead to calls for a rerun if sustained.

The broader environment also included restrictions on opposition party registration and campaigning, and arrests of opposition figures on election night. Hichilema's government announced the arrest of 11 people, including six opposition figures.