Lusaka. Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema was sworn in for a second term on Tuesday, while his main rival was in prison on treason charges, the conclusion of a chaotic vote observers said was marred by serious irregularities.
Hichilema came to power in 2021 pledging a democratic break from a government he accused of rigging elections and jailing opponents.
But observers have cited a number of irregularities during and after the August 13 election, including fiddling with the vote tally, the arrest of opposition lawmakers, the posting of soldiers at polling stations and the shutting down of courts, while runner-up Brian Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, were both charged with treason over the weekend.
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Hichilema re-elected as Zambia’s President for a second term
