News as at
August 24, 2026, 4:53 pm
Hichilema Wins a Stronger Mandate, but Zambia's Democratic Test Isn't Over
- [ISS] Late reforms and weak checks on power expose democratic fault lines and raise the stakes for Hichilema's second term.
Zambia's Messy but Decisive Election - Government Shows Strength - Democracy Shows Weakness
- [The Conversation Africa] Across southern Africa, sitting presidents have faced a wave of turnovers and electoral setbacks in the past few years.
All of Africa Today - August 21, 2026
- [allAfrica]
Authorities Must Investigate Fatal Shooting of Former Minister and End Post-Election Crackdown
- [AI London] Responding to the reported fatal shooting of opposition party member and former cabinet minister Mutotwe Kafwaya during a security operation in Kabulonga, Lusaka on 14 August, and the arrest of at least three other opposition members, Amnesty International's Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Tigere Chagutah, said:
Zambia's Messy Election
- [CFR] What to make of Zambia's 2026 general elections?
Hichilema's Victory Challenged As Doubts Grow Over Election
- [Agenzia Fides] Lusaka -- Brian Mundubile, the main challenger to President Hakainde Hichilema in the 2026 presidential election, has rejected the Electoral Commission of Zambia's declaration of Hichilema's victory following the vote held on August 13 (see Fides, 13 and 18/8/2026).
All of Africa Today - August 18, 2026
- [allAfrica]
Zambia's Hichilema Wins Second Term As Investors Eye Growth
- [Daba Finance] Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema won a second 5-year term, giving investors policy continuity as the government seeks to build on its debt restructuring and increase copper production.
President Hichilema Re-Elected Amid Tensions - Bishops Call for Transparency and Respect for the Rule of Law
- [Agenzia Fides] Lusaka -- Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has been re-elected for a second five-year term in the elections held on August 13 (see Fides, 13/8/2026).
Zambia's Hichilema Wins Second Presidential Term
- [DW] Hakainde Hichilema won over 60% of the vote in the first round of Zambia's presidential election, which also saw authorities launch raids against leading opposition figures on election night.
Hichilema Takes Early Lead in Elections - Electoral Commission
- [allAfrica] Cape Town -- President Hakainde Hichilema took an early lead in Zambia's general election, with more than half of the country's constituencies counted, according to the electoral commission.
Samia Suluhu Hassan Hails Hichilema's Zambia Re-Election Victory
- [Daily News] Dar es Salaam -- PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has congratulated Zambia's President-elect Hakainde Hichilema on his re-election, saying the result reflects the confidence Zambians have placed in his leadership.
Hichilema Wins Second Term As Zambia President, Final Results Show
- [Nyasa Times] Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has won a second term in office, according to final results released Monday by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) after votes from all 226 constituencies were tallied.
Misa Regional Preliminary Statement On Media Freedom, Digital Rights and Access to Information in the 2026 Zambia General Elections
- [MISA] MISA Regional acknowledges the enactment of the Access to Information (ATI) law and the repeal of criminal defamation of the president as historical milestones. However, these are paper victories that have been neutralised by institutional silence.
Catholic Bishops Express 'Grave Concern' Over Conduct of Zambia's Elections
- [Zambia Conference Of Catholic Bishops] Lusaka -- Dear brothers and sisters in Christ and people of goodwill. Peace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all!
Zambia Election - Tanzania Denies Meddling
- [Daily News] Dar es Salaam -- THE government has clarified its position following remarks by Zambian presidential candidate Mr Brian Mundubile, regarding Tanzania's role during Zambia's General Election held last Thursday.
Catholic Bishops Demand Transparency as Vote Counting Continues
- [Nile Post] The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) has demanded greater transparency in the tallying of Zambia's August 13 general election, warning that delays and disputed handling of ballot materials could undermine public confidence in the outcome.
Zambia Opposition Leader Claims Election Victory Amid Reports of Violence
- [263Chat] Zambia's presidential election entered a tense phase on Friday after opposition leader Brian Mundubile claimed victory, while incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema stopped short of declaring a win and said his camp was receiving "encouraging results" as official counting continued.
Zambia Suspends Vote Counting Nationwide Amid Violence, Ballot Theft Reports
- [Nile Post] The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has suspended the counting and announcement of election results across the country following reports of violence targeting election officials and the alleged theft of marked ballot papers.
International Election Observation Missions Release Preliminary Statements On Zambia's 2026 General Election
- [SADC] Heads of international and regional Election Observation Missions deployed to observe the Republic of Zambia's General Election held on 13 August 2026 have released their preliminary statements, presenting their initial findings on the electoral process and calling on all stakeholders to remain calm and allow the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to complete the ongoing results process.
A Harvest That Keeps Zambia's Children Learning
- [Bird Story Agency] In a farming settlement in southern Zambia, families use income from a drought-resilient crop to buy uniforms and books, meet college costs and put food on the table. Farmers say better seed, stronger prices and faster payments could help more rural households do the same.
Zambia Suspends Vote Counting Nationwide After Violence Reports
- [263Chat] Zambia's electoral commission has suspended the counting of votes and announcement of election results nationwide after reports of violence targeting election officials and the theft of marked ballot papers.
Zambia Votes With President's Economic Record On the Line
- [RFI] Zambia went to the polls Thursday with economic hardship testing President Hakainde Hichilema's record as he seeks a second term to govern the copper-rich nation.
Leading Democrats in the U.S. Senate Issue Call for Peaceful Elections in Zambia
- [United States Senate] Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Africa & Global Health Policy, Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) issued the below statement calling for peaceful, fair elections ahead of the August 13th elections in Zambia.
All of Africa Today - August 11, 2026
- [allAfrica] Zambia Election Set for Closely Fought Opposition Battle
CPJ Joins Call for Zambian Authorities to Keep Internet On During Elections
- [CPJ] The Committee to Protect Journalists joined #KeepItOn Coalition partners in urging Zambian authorities and telecommunication providers to ensure free and open internet access before, during, and after the country's general election on August 13.
Zambia Votes - Who's Who and What Issues Are Shaping the Elections?
- [The Conversation Africa] Zambia's election, scheduled for 13 August, has shaped up into a battle between two alliances. The ruling United Party for National Development alliance is backed by 15 smaller parties. The Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance is headed by presidential newcomer Brian Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu.
Zambia's National Health Insurance Cuts Costs for Older People, but Funding Gaps Limit Its Potential - Study
- [The Conversation Africa] As people age, they are more likely to experience chronic illnesses such as hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes and heart disease that require regular medical attention. Yet many older adults can't afford healthcare.
Zambia - Stalled Reforms Risk Reversing Human Rights Gains
- [AI London] Candidates running in Zambia's general elections on 13 August must commit to reversing a growing pattern of authoritarian practices that threaten human rights before, during and after the polls, Amnesty International said today.
