Mutharika praises Hichilema’s ‘resounding victory’ in Zambia poll

President Arthur Peter Mutharika has sent his congratulations to Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema following his re-election, describing the result as a reflection of the confidence Zambians have placed in his leadership.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Mutharika said he and First Lady Gertrude Mutharika extended their “heartfelt congratulations” to Hichilema on his victory in last week’s general election, calling the result a “resounding victory”.

Hichilema was declared the winner by Zambia’s Electoral Commission on 18 August, securing a second five-year term after defeating opposition leader Brian Mundubile. According to results announced by the commission, Hichilema won roughly 61.4% of the vote, against about 38% for Mundubile.

The election was Hichilema’s seventh bid for the presidency and comes five years after he first won power in 2021, when he oversaw the restructuring of Zambia’s sovereign debt following a crisis that had left the copper-rich nation locked out of international capital markets.

In his message, Mutharika said the result showed Zambians’ trust in Hichilema’s “vision for Zambia’s continued progress, peace, and prosperity”, and wished the president-elect “every success” as he begins his renewed mandate. He added that Malawi looked forward to strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two nations, which he described as “sisterly”.

The Zambian election was closely watched, with vote counting briefly suspended last week after the electoral commission reported attacks on polling station officials and the theft of some ballot papers, before resuming under heightened security.

Mundubile’s camp has raised concerns over the conduct of the vote, though there has been no formal legal challenge to the result so far.

Malawi and Zambia share close diplomatic and economic ties, and Mutharika’s message follows a well-established pattern of African heads of state exchanging congratulatory messages after elections on the continent.