Zambian opposition leader Brian Mundubile has been charged with treason following heightened political tensions and arrest after a disputed election.
Zambian opposition leader Brian Mundubile has been charged with treason, as confirmed by his lawyer amidst rising political tensions in the nation.
The arrest took place on Thursday after a violent raid by authorities compelled Mundubile to seek refuge. The situation escalated after he contested the results of the recent presidential election, where incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema was declared the winner with two-thirds of the votes.
Authorities accused Mundubile’s National Restoration Party of UPND (NRPUP) of planning an armed insurgency, a claim the party has vehemently denied.
Milner Katolo, Mundubile’s lawyer, disclosed on Saturday night that his client had been formally charged with treason. Katolo stated that Mundubile looks forward to addressing the accusation in court and that 17 others, including Mundubile’s running mate Makebi Zulu, were also charged.
In the August 13 election, Mundubile garnered 38% of the votes while Hichilema obtained 60%, according to official results. The day following the election, security forces raided a Lusaka property connected to Mundubile, resulting in the death of a former cabinet minister and the arrest of several politicians. The government reported seizing weapons during the operation.
After the raid, Mundubile and Zulu sought asylum in a United Nations building, but they were detained after the president pressured the UN to surrender them.
As the government prepares for Hichilema’s inauguration on September 1, the opposition faces significant hurdles. The courts were sealed off on the last day possible for filing legal challenges against the election results.
While regional and international observers noted that the election day was largely peaceful, Zambia’s Human Rights Commission called for accountability regarding individuals who remain unaccounted for following the police actions surrounding the election.
Preparations for Hichilema’s second term continue, with the president expressing gratitude for his electoral win and committing to serve all Zambians.
Mundubile has labeled the allegations of an insurrection as total fabrications, reflecting the tense climate surrounding the post-election developments in Zambia.
