Zambia’s incumbent President, Hakainde Hichilema, secured a second consecutive 5-year term in office, facing a surprisingly strong challenge from the opposition leader amid public discontent over ongoing hardships despite economic improvements. According to the election commission’s results announced early on Tuesday, Hichilema garnered approximately 60% of the valid votes, while his main rival, Brian Mundubile, received around 38%. The election commission chairperson, Mwangala Zaloumis, officially declared Hichilema as the president-elect of Zambia on August 18, 2026.

Hichilema, aged 64, emphasized his economic achievements since assuming office during the 2021 pandemic-induced debt crisis. The nation, renowned for its copper resources, has been a focal point for global powers like China and the United States due to its strategic mineral reserves.

Despite a relatively calm lead-up to the August 13 election, tensions heightened swiftly afterward. International observers, including the European Union, acknowledged the largely peaceful conduct of the election but raised concerns about limitations on fundamental freedoms during the broader electoral process. Following the election, 11 individuals, including prominent opposition figures, were arrested in a raid involving gunfire, coinciding with the presence of Mundubile. Subsequently, the electoral commission briefly suspended vote-counting due to reported violence against polling staff and ballot paper theft.

The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops expressed unease over the army’s involvement in the vote counting, emphasizing that maintaining order during elections falls within the jurisdiction of the Zambia Police Service as per the constitution and statutes. While the opposition might contest the election results through legal means, experts suggest the likelihood of a successful challenge is slim. Analysts anticipate potential localized political disturbances in the near future but do not foresee widespread unrest.