Mo Ibrahim Warns Hichilema Against Wasting Zambia’s Democratic Legacy

Mo Ibrahim, the Sudanese-British telecoms billionaire and founder of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, has issued a public statement expressing deep concern over developments in Zambia following the general election, warning President Hakainde Hichilema against squandering the progress made during his first term in office. The statement, dated 26 August, was published on the foundation’s website.

“Mr President, your first mandate was defined by progress. Do not waste what you have achieved,” it reads.

Ibrahim said his foundation was watching post-election developments in Zambia closely, arguing that elections test democracy well beyond what happens at the ballot box. He pointed to the arbitrary arrest of opposition members, the killing of a former minister, and the suspension of vote counting as developments he said should never occur in a genuine democracy.

“The arbitrary arrest of opposition members; the killing of a former minister; and the suspension of vote counting: these should never happen in a true democracy,” he said.

He also raised the closure of Zambia’s top courts, including the Constitutional Court, ahead of the deadline for challenging the election result, describing it as adding to the country’s difficulties. Ibrahim said Zambia had built a reputation over decades for competitive elections, peaceful transfers of power and respect for constitutional processes, a legacy he said had been held up internationally as a model for other nations to follow.