In brief
In Zambia, security forces seized weapons and arrested 11 people, including senior opposition figures, following the presidential election. Brian Mundubile, the main opposition candidate, was reportedly at the raid site and accused authorities of attacking him and colleagues. The government cites connections to foreign nationals and military training camps as a threat to state security, while opposition claims the arrests are politically motivated. Electoral authorities temporarily halted counting amid violence claims but reopened the same day.
Security forces in Zambia seized weapons and arrested 11 people, including senior opposition figures, allegedly involved in an insurrection plot, the government said.
The leading opposition candidate, Brian Mundubile, was also found at the scene of the raid in the capital, Lusaka, according to chief civil servant Patrick Kangwa.
Mundubile described Friday night's operation as an attempt on his life and said that 'colleagues were shot' in his presence.
With results from more than half the constituencies, he trails incumbent Hakainde Hichilema, after earlier claims of victory and alleged voting irregularities. The authorities deny these claims, citing largely peaceful and orderly election day.
Kangwa added that the arrested individuals were linked to 'military plans involving foreign nationals and illegal military training camps', holding 'high‑grade military weapons, ammunition and other materials intended for an armed insurrection'. He said shots were fired at law‑enforcement officers, leading to an exchange of fire.
Among those detained is Patrick Mwansa, the husband of Tasila Lungu, daughter of former president Edgar Lungu, and other politicians.
The suspects are held in custody at various police stations in Lusaka.
Mundubile had alleged military involvement at tallying centres and irregularities at ballot boxes. Later he reported interrogation by army officers over released videos and claims of assault while in custody, which authorities denied.
He also accused Tanzania of sending individuals to interfere in the election, a claim Tanzania strongly rejected as false.
The electoral commission briefly suspended the counting and announcement of results on Friday, citing violence against polling staff and theft of marked ballot papers, but lifted the suspension the same day after stating the security threat had been contained.
