Zambia president begins second term as rival faces treason charges

Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema was sworn in for a second term Tuesday with the main opposition leader—who was the runner-up in last month’s elections—in jail on treason charges. The August 13 ballot was marred by allegations of intimidation, pro-government bias and restrictions on the opposition, tarnishing the

Hakainde Hichilema swept to victory, but his main rival is now in custody charged with treason.

The case that threatens to taint Lusaka’s image as a relatively stable southern African democracy.

Zambian police arrested and charged the country’s main opposition leader with treason, ramping up political tensions that have spiked after the copper-rich nation’s disputed August general election.