Zambia Faces a New Term Under Hichilema
John Merolla
Reporter, Life News Today
Hakainde Hichilema secured Zambia’s presidency for a second term after winning the general elections held on August 13, 2026. The president, leader of the United Party for National Development (UPND), received around 61% of the vote, compared with nearly 38% for his main rival, Brian Mundubile, candidate of the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) and backed by the opposition Tonse PF Pamodzi alliance. The result allows Hichilema to continue with his economic and political agenda over the coming years.
The election, however, was marked by moments of tension and controversy. The vote count was suspended for several hours after the Electoral Commission reported attacks against election officials and the theft of already marked ballots at some polling stations. The situation led to the deployment of riot police and military personnel in parts of Lusaka before counting could resume. A party official died during incidents on election day, and nine suspects were arrested. Authorities did not publicly identify which party the deceased official belonged to. In another incident, 11 opposition members were detained during a security forces operation at Mundubile’s residence. The NRPUP rejected government accusations that party members were involved in militia or insurgency activities. Gunfire occurred during the operation, and Mundubile, who was at the residence but was not detained, denounced the operation and questioned the credibility of the electoral process. European Union observers said that although voting was largely peaceful, the electoral process was marked by unequal campaign conditions and legal uncertainty.
Hichilema’s victory is part of a political history marked by significant changes in power. Zambia gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1964 under the leadership of Kenneth Kaunda, who governed for nearly three decades. In 1991, Frederick Chiluba defeated Kaunda in multiparty elections that marked an important political change. Since then, the country has built a relatively stable tradition of electoral competition and peaceful transfers of power. Edgar Lungu, president from 2015 to 2021, faced growing criticism over international debt and the economic situation. In 2020, Zambia became the first African country to default on its sovereign debt during the pandemic. The debt was distributed among foreign governments, international institutions, banks and bondholders, with China as the country’s largest bilateral creditor. In 2021, Hichilema finally managed to defeat Lungu after several presidential attempts and came to power promising to revive the economy, attract investment and confront the country’s debt crisis.
The 2026 election served, to a large extent, as an assessment of that first term. Hichilema presented economic stabilization, the restructuring of international debt and the return of investor confidence as his main achievements. His program also promised to sharply increase copper production, create jobs and address the country’s energy problems. His main rival, Brian Mundubile, sought to capitalize on dissatisfaction over the cost of living and argued that the economic recovery had not sufficiently benefited the population. The result clearly favored Hichilema, but that does not mean his second term will be easy. His greatest challenge will be to extend the benefits of the recovery to a population that still faces economic difficulties.
Beyond politics, Zambia is a country whose identity is deeply shaped by community life. In many communities, traditional celebrations, cultural ceremonies and family gatherings continue to occupy an important place, while churches serve as central spaces for social interaction. The country is home to numerous ethnic groups and a great diversity of languages, although English is the official language. In the cities, especially Lusaka, daily life combines markets, businesses, transportation and expanding modern neighborhoods, while agriculture remains fundamental in rural areas.
Zambia has a particularly young population. According to the Zambia Statistics Agency, the median age is just 18.3 years, meaning that half of the population is younger than that age. This demographic reality increases the importance of job creation, education, health care and access to basic services. Zambia is also characterized by a tradition of relative social and political stability within southern Africa, which has contributed to building a national identity based on coexistence among different communities. This combination of traditions, modernization and cultural diversity helps explain the country beyond its natural resources and international headlines.
Copper occupies a central place in the country’s economy. Zambia is one of Africa’s leading producers, and exports of the mineral represent a fundamental part of its income. Copper is becoming increasingly strategic to the global economy because of its use in electrical grids, electric vehicles and technologies connected to the energy transition. China is one of the main markets for Zambian copper and one of the country’s largest investors and creditors, although the United States and other countries are also seeking to increase their presence because of the strategic value of Zambia’s minerals. The problem is that this dependence leaves the country vulnerable to fluctuations in international prices. In addition, droughts have reduced hydroelectric generation, causing electricity problems that affect businesses and households alike.
Zambia’s economic future will depend largely on how it takes advantage of its mineral wealth. The president intends to significantly increase copper production and attract new investment, taking advantage of growing global interest in the minerals needed for the energy transition. That interest also places Zambia in the middle of growing economic competition between China and the United States, which are seeking to secure critical mineral supply chains for the coming decades. Hichilema will have to take advantage of that position without becoming caught in the rivalry between the major powers. The real challenge will be to turn that growing economic importance into jobs, better living conditions and greater opportunities for Zambians.
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