Zambia holds a general election this Thursday to determine if President Hakainde Hichilema will secure a second five-year term. Hichilema, 64, previously won a landslide victory five years ago with the support of 2.9 million voters after defeating his arch-rival, Edgar Lungu.
While the election is widely expected to grant Hichilema a second term as a reward for his economic recovery plan, his record is facing a test. Opposition parties are seeking to capitalize on discontent among voters frustrated by the cost of living, leading some former supporters to feel unsure about their choice.
The political climate is further complicated by a continuing feud between Hichilema and the family of the late Edgar Lungu, who died in 2025. Additionally, despite his initial promises to protect civil liberties in the copper-rich nation, the president is now accused of trampling on them.