Lusaka: Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has won a second five year term after securing a clear victory in the country’s presidential election, giving him another opportunity to continue his economic programme while facing growing pressure to address the daily struggles of ordinary citizens.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia declared Hichilema the winner early on Tuesday after the August 13 election. He received about 61.4 percent of the vote, or nearly 3 million votes. His main challenger, Brian Mundubile, received about 38 percent, with more than 1.8 million votes. The result means Hichilema has secured another term without the need for a second round of voting.
The victory represents a strong electoral mandate for the 64 year old president, who first came to power in 2021 after defeating then president Edgar Lungu. Hichilema had spent years seeking the presidency before finally winning his sixth attempt. His re election now gives him another five years to pursue the economic changes that formed a major part of his campaign.
When Hichilema entered office, Zambia was facing a serious economic crisis. The country had defaulted on its foreign debt and was struggling with weak economic growth and limited access to international financing. His government made debt restructuring one of its main priorities and worked with international lenders and creditors to stabilize the economy.
During his first term, Zambia also attracted greater investment into the mining sector, particularly copper. The country is one of Africa’s important sources of copper, a mineral that has become increasingly valuable because of its role in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems and other modern technologies.
Hichilema has promised to use the progress made during his first term as a foundation for much larger economic growth. His government wants to increase copper production, attract more investment and create jobs for a growing population. He has also spoken about expanding opportunities for families and improving social services.
However, the election showed that economic recovery at the national level has not removed the financial pressures faced by many Zambians. High food and energy costs remain major concerns, while unemployment and poverty continue to affect many households. The opposition used these problems during the campaign to argue that the benefits of economic recovery had not reached enough ordinary people.
Mundubile's campaign also raised concerns about the political environment before and during the election. His supporters accused the government of using state institutions against political opponents and restricting opposition activities. The government rejected the allegations and maintained that the election was conducted according to the law.
The voting process itself was largely peaceful, but the counting period was marked by several incidents that created uncertainty. The electoral commission temporarily stopped the counting after election officials were attacked and ballot papers were reported stolen. Security forces were deployed in some areas before counting resumed.
Several opposition figures were also arrested during the election period. Authorities said the arrests were connected to threats to national security and alleged that some suspects possessed military grade weapons. Opposition representatives disputed the government's explanation and accused authorities of using security measures to intimidate political opponents.
International observers also raised concerns about the wider political environment. They said the election was competitive but pointed to restrictions affecting political freedoms and an uneven environment for campaigning. At the same time, observers noted that voting and counting at many polling stations were generally conducted in an orderly and transparent manner.
Hichilema has responded to his victory by calling for unity and promising to govern for all Zambians, including those who did not vote for him. His second term will now be closely watched, particularly on whether his government can turn economic improvements into better living conditions.
The president faces a difficult task. Zambia has made progress in dealing with its debt crisis and rebuilding confidence among international lenders and investors, but ordinary families want to see that progress reflected in their everyday lives.
His government will also need to manage the country's valuable copper resources carefully. Zambia's mineral wealth has attracted interest from both Western countries and China, making the mining sector important not only for the national economy but also for wider international competition over critical minerals.
Hichilema's second term therefore begins with both an advantage and a challenge. His election victory gives him political strength, but voters will expect visible improvements in jobs, household incomes, public services and living costs.
For Zambia, the next five years will be an important test of whether economic stabilization can develop into broader prosperity. For Hichilema, the task will be to show that the progress achieved during his first term can be turned into meaningful improvements in the lives of the people who have given him another mandate.