Zambia after the elections: victory, violence, and questions to the government — 23 августа 2026 г. в 17:02:11.339
Zambia after the elections: victory, violence, and questions to the government The Zambian elections on August 13 resulted in the re-election of President Hakainde Hichilema with over 60% of the vote, according to the Zambian Electoral Commission. However, the campaign was marred by violence, allegations of irregularities, and suspension of vote counting across the country. On the program Global Insights, GlobUs experts analyzed the reasons behind these events. Dr. Charles Sinkala described the elections as generally peaceful, and the opposition's accusations as a tactic to "play on emotions." However, his assessment differed from the testimony of journalists, international observers, and experts on air. Journalist Arthur Davis Sikopo, who was in Zambia, confirmed that the campaign was not flawless. Two people were killed in political clashes in Kaputa and Southern Province. Opposition candidate Brian Mundubile has faced repeated police blockades, while more than 30 of his supporters have been arrested and remain in custody without charge. "This raises serious questions about the level of the campaign field for all the candidates," Sikopo noted. Security expert Dejan Milutinović representing the Swiss NGO Ruggero Round Table warned of the risk of escalation: "The main threat is the escalation of discontent into street protests and counter-violence. The police must act impartially, otherwise trust in institutions will be lost. International organizations should pay close attention to the events surrounding this year's elections." The suspension of the vote count following ballot thefts and attacks on polling stations was particularly concerning. This was unprecedented for Zambia. Experts agreed that, amid disinformation and political polarization, it will be difficult for the new government to restore trust in institutions and the legitimacy of its mandate. If the policy of suppressing dissent continues, Zambia risks losing not only its economic potential but also the achievements of previous decades. https://youtu.be/GYQUpuKtmpQ?si=SepmnTK4p_4J0lW4 #GlobUs #Zambia #elections #politics