Zambian opposition leader Brian Mundubile has been charged with treason, his lawyer announced Saturday, amid escalating political tensions following the country's recent presidential election. Mundubile, who disputed the election results that saw incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema secure a second term, was arrested on Thursday after a period in hiding.
Mundubile's lawyer, Milner Katolo, stated that his client faces treason charges and is prepared to address the accusations in court. Katolo also confirmed that 17 other individuals, including Mundubile's running mate Makebi Zulu, have been charged with the same offense.
The election results showed Hichilema receiving 60% of the vote, with Mundubile garnering 38%. The day after the election, security forces conducted a raid on a property in the capital, Lusaka, connected to Mundubile. This operation resulted in the death of a former cabinet minister and the arrest of several other politicians.
Following the raid, Mundubile and Zulu sought refuge at a United Nations building in Lusaka. They were subsequently detained after President Hichilema exerted pressure on the UN to hand them over. The opposition was reportedly unable to file a legal challenge to the election outcome, as the courts were inaccessible on the final day for filing cases.
President Hichilema is scheduled to be inaugurated for his second term on September 1. While regional and international observers largely described election day as peaceful, Zambia's Human Rights Commission has called for accountability concerning individuals whose whereabouts remain unknown after the arrests and security operations surrounding the elections.