Zambia’s Hichilema begins second term amid disputed vote and arrests

President Hakainde Hichilema has begun his second and final term promising to ensure ordinary Zambians benefit from an economic recovery. His inauguration took place against a tense political backdrop, with observers raising concerns about the conduct of the August 13 elections. Hichilema won about 60 percent of the vote, but his main rival, Brian Mundubile, rejected the results, alleging irregularities.