Zambian opposition leader Brian Mundubile charged with treason


Brian Mundubile in front of a coloured background

Zambian opposition leader Brian Mundubile has been charged with treason, according to his lawyer, amid heightened political tensions in the country.


Mundubile was arrested on Thursday after a deadly raid by authorities, prompting him to go into hiding.


He had disputed the results of the recent presidential election, which saw incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema securing a second term.


The authorities accused Mundubile’s NRPUP party of planning an armed insurgency, a claim the party denied.


On Saturday night, his lawyer Milner Katolo announced the charge. He said the opposition leader will contest the accusation in court.


Katolo also said 17 others, including Mundubile’s running mate Makebi Zulu, were charged with treason.


Mundubile received 38% of the vote in the 13 August election, while Hichilema secured 60% according to official results.


Following a raid, Mundubile and Zulu sought refuge at a United Nations building in Lusaka. They were later detained after the president pressured the UN to hand them over.


The opposition was prevented from mounting a legal challenge to the election outcome as courts were sealed off for case filings.


Hichilema is scheduled for a second swearing‑in on 1 September.


Observations on the election day were largely peaceful, yet Zambia’s Human Rights Commission calls for accountability over missing people and ongoing arrests.