Zambia election: Hichilema rallies as rival alleges arrests

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema drew tens of thousands of supporters to Lusaka on Tuesday as he campaigned for a second term two days before the election, while his main challenger alleged arrests and abductions were being used to intimidate the opposition.

Hichilema, who came to power in 2021, is seeking another five-year term in the copper-rich country of 22 million people. Supporters of his ruling United Party for National Development gathered in red party colours at a rally in a former opposition stronghold south of the capital.

Jobs and the cost of living are key election issues. Zambia's national statistics agency puts unemployment at nearly 10 percent. Some nurses and teachers at the rally held banners asking Hichilema for job opportunities.

Hichilema is credited with steering Zambia out of debt distress and back to growth projected at five percent for 2026, but critics say the recovery has not yet reached ordinary households.

His main challenger, Brian Mundubile, entered the race in May and has won backing from small opposition groups. At a press briefing before the final day of campaigning, Mundubile claimed three opposition figures could not be traced and suggested they may have been detained. He also charged that journalists, musicians and bloggers had been detained to silence pro-opposition voices.

“This election must not be conducted under fear,” Mundubile said.

After clashes allegedly sparked by unknown groups at some early rallies, which led police to fire tear gas at his supporters, Mundubile moved much of his campaign online. Twelve other candidates are also running, including a former foreign minister, but they are not expected to mount a serious challenge.