By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema has been inaugurated for a second term of five years following a disputed election and clampdown on opposition figures.
Hichilema, applauded for stabilising the economy secured victory on 13 August with 60% of the vote, according to official results.
His main challenger, Brian Mundubile, who received 38%, alleged rigging, claiming that the electoral outcome had been tampered with.
Mundubile was unable to file a legal challenge to the result as security forces sealed off the courts on the last day for submission of petitions against Hichilema’s re-election.
Observers said that while polling day was largely peaceful, some have raised questions about the vote tallying process.
European Union observers said staff in many tallying centres did not record results on tally sheets as soon as they were announced and cited weak verification between digital entries and paper records.
It added that returning officers frequently paused proceedings while awaiting instructions from headquarters.
When Hichilema, 64, came into office in 2021 after a landslide victory, Zambia had recently defaulted on its international debt and had an annual inflation rate of more than 24%.
“We inherited a broken-down country… the economy was declining,” Hichilema told the BBC in Lusaka before the election.
The former businessman negotiated a restructuring of the debt and rebuilt relations with foreign creditors. Inflation has also come down, but prices are still rising and many continue to struggle with the cost of living.
Hichilema now wants to build on the foundations he said he laid over the past five years.
He was sworn into office on Tuesday amid jubilant scenes, as thousands of supporters gathered to celebrate the inauguration.
Presidents from Kenya, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Tanzania are among several African leaders attending the inauguration ceremony at the National Heroes Stadium in the capital.
Hichilema was sworn in alongside his running mate, Mutale Nalumango.
