Zambia Votes as Hichilema Seeks Second Term Amid Economic Test
Zambians head to the polls on August 13 in a closely watched presidential and parliamentary election that will test President Hakainde Hichilema’s economic record five years after he took office following the country’s sovereign debt crisis.
Hichilema is seeking a second five-year term against a field of challengers led by Brian Mundubile, head of the opposition Tonse Alliance. Zambia’s Electoral Commission says 8,786,300 people are registered to vote, with polling scheduled from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.
The election comes after Zambia restructured more than $12 billion in external debt under Hichilema’s government. Inflation has eased and the kwacha has strengthened, but high food and energy costs remain a major concern for households.
Copper is also central to the vote. Zambia is one of Africa’s most important copper producers, and Hichilema’s government wants production to eventually rise to about 3 million metric tons annually. Reuters says copper currently generates roughly 70% of the country’s export earnings, making future mining policy closely watched by investors.
The country has also attracted growing attention from both China and the United States because of its copper and cobalt resources, which are increasingly important for electric vehicles, electronics and energy infrastructure.
Mundubile and the Tonse Alliance have criticised Hichilema’s administration over the cost of living and political freedoms. The opposition also alleged that a recent law-enforcement raid on its offices was politically motivated. That allegation has not been independently established and should remain attributed to the opposition.
