Zambian opposition leader charged with treason

What the report says

Zambian opposition figure Brian Mundubile has been charged with treason, according to his lawyer, following weeks of escalating political tension after the country’s disputed presidential election. The BBC reports that Mundubile was arrested on Thursday after previously going into hiding at a United Nations building in Lusaka, the capital.

Mundubile, who led the NRPUP in the election, had challenged the result after incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema won a second term. Official figures cited by the BBC show Mundubile took 38% of the vote, while Hichilema received 60%. The ruling authorities had earlier accused Mundubile’s party of plotting an armed insurgency, an allegation the party denied.

Lawyer Milner Katolo said on Saturday night that Mundubile had been charged and would contest the accusation in court. Katolo also said 17 other people, including Mundubile’s running mate Makebi Zulu, faced the same charge. The BBC says the pair were detained after the president pressed the UN to hand them over.

The case comes amid concerns about the broader election aftermath. The opposition was unable to pursue a legal challenge after courts were sealed off on the final day for filing, and Zambia’s human rights body has called for accountability over missing people linked to security operations. Hichilema is due to be sworn in again on 1 September.