Zambian opposition leader Brian Mundubile faces treason charges following disputed presidential election results.
Zambian opposition leader Brian Mundubile has been officially charged with treason following a period of political tension after the country's recent presidential election. The charges follow a security raid on a property linked to Mundubile in the capital, Lusaka, where authorities seized weapons and arrested several politicians. While Mundubile secured 38% of the vote, incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema won 60% of the vote and is scheduled to be sworn in for a second term on September 1. During the raid, former cabinet minister Mutotwe Kafwaya was killed, and Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, were forced to go into hiding before surrendering to police. The administration accused Mundubile's party of planning an armed insurgency, a claim Mundubile has denied. Although the opposition intended to file a legal challenge to the election results, the government closed the judiciary for security reasons, preventing a formal petition from being filed. This move has drawn criticism from rights groups who argue the closure hindered transparency and due process.