Human Rights Watch Urges Zambia to End Post‑Election Repression

Opposition figures arrested and disappeared since President Hakainde Hichilema claimed August victory.

Published On 2 Nov 20262 Nov 2026

Human Rights Watch has urged Zambian authorities to stop a severe crackdown on the opposition launched after President Hakainde Hichilema’s contested victory in August.

In a report released on Sunday, the rights organization called for an immediate end to the escalating repression.

The group accused the Zambian government of silencing dissent, alleging that numerous opposition members, journalists, and lawyers have been arrested and some have vanished in recent months.

“The post‑election climate of intimidation, harassment, and repression has had a chilling effect on civic and political organizations, especially dissenting voices,” HRW said.

HRW reported that Zambian police and military “forcibly disappeared, arbitrarily detained, beat, and threatened opposition members and supporters, as well as lawyers, journalists, and government critics in the days before and after the general elections in August 2026.”

“Zambia’s government should break this dangerous cycle of repression,” added Ashwinee Budoo‑Scholtz, HRW’s deputy Africa director.

She urged authorities to immediately halt the crackdown, grant access to legal counsel and medical care for detainees, release all those held arbitrarily, and ensure accountability for security‑force abuses.

Hichilema was sworn in for a second term after his August victory, though critics contend the election was marred by vote rigging.

During his inauguration at Lusaka’s National Heroes Stadium, his main opponent, Brian Mundubile, remained in detention, accused of treason after alleging an opposition win.

Police raided Mundubile’s home the day after the August 13 election; a former cabinet minister, Mutotwe Kafwaya, was killed during the operation.

HRW called on Zambian authorities to launch an independent, impartial, and thorough investigation into the incident.

Approximately a dozen other opposition figures who challenged the election results have been arrested.

Two weeks after the vote, authorities abruptly closed the country’s courts, describing the move as an “intelligence‑led and preventive measure” without further details.

HRW noted that the court closure blocks the opposition’s ability to pursue legal challenges against the election outcome.

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