President Hakainde Hichilema held a campaign rally in Lusaka on Tuesday to promote his bid for a second five-year term [1, 2].
The event comes just before the general election scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026 [3]. The outcome will determine if Hichilema can continue his current policy trajectory during a period of significant economic volatility for the nation.
The rally took place in a former opposition stronghold south of the capital city [1, 2]. Tens of thousands of supporters attended the event [1] as the president sought to sway undecided voters ahead of the polls [2].
Economic concerns are the primary drivers of the current election cycle. High living costs and an unemployment rate of around 10 percent have dominated the political discourse [1, 3].
Assessments of Hichilema's first term vary across observers. Some view the upcoming election as a potential reward for his economic recovery plan [3]. Other reports indicate he has been accused of trampling on civil liberties during his tenure [4].
While some reports suggested Hichilema was a shoo-in for a second term, other accounts describe the recent rally as a last-ditch effort to secure necessary votes [2]. The president focused his messaging on the stability of the state, a key theme as Zambia navigates its role in the global critical minerals market [3].
“Tens of thousands of supporters attended the event as the president sought to sway undecided voters.”
The election serves as a referendum on Hichilema's ability to balance macroeconomic recovery with the immediate needs of the populace. With unemployment and inflation remaining high, the president's success depends on whether voters prioritize long-term structural reforms or immediate relief from the cost-of-living crisis. Furthermore, the result will signal the stability of Zambia's democratic institutions and its attractiveness to international partners interested in its mineral wealth.
