Zambia’s opposition leader Hichilema wins presidential vote at sixth bid

Zambian opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema scored a landslide victory in bitterly-contested presidential elections.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz 2021

It was the 59-year-old’s sixth bid for the top job and his third against his bitter rival Mr. Lungu (64).

After having contested five previous elections in 2006, 2008, 2011, 2015 and 2016, he won the 2021 presidential election with over 59% of the vote. He has led the United Party for National Development since 2006.

Prior to his election, Hichilema was a major opponent of Edgar Lungu, the President of Zambia from 2015 to 2021.

On 11 April 2017, Hichilema was arrested and charged with treason, a move that was seen as an illegitimate act by Lungu to silence a political rival.