Both SADC and the African Union have been silent on Hichilema’s arrest, as has the South African government.
Until recently, this kind of aggressively hostile behaviour towards any kind of opposition, would have been unthinkable in Zambia
Across the region, governments are cracking down on political opposition, and treason charges are the leaders’ weapon of choice
The president called for national unity in his speech in Lusaka on Tuesday, saying ‘we are on this journey together’.
The chances of the country’s democracy surviving remain tentative in the prevailing economic environment of Africa’s second-leading producer of copper
Police opened fire on the opposition United Party for National Development supporters after the party refused to cancel a campaign meeting in Lusaka.
The Patriotic Front has taken a small lead over the opposition United Party for National Development, with 80 of the 150 constituencies counted.
Zambian police fired tear gas to disperse supporters of the leading opposition candidate, as the presidential election was extended into a third day.
Zambian police have used batons and teargas on a crowd of opposition activists outside a police station where their leader had been summoned.
Zambia’s main opposition appeared on course for a convincing victory Thursday, following an election marred by disorganisation and sporadic violence.