Zambian Opposition Leader Summoned by Police Over Alleged Security Threat in Zambia

Police in Zambia announced Thursday evening that they had summoned opposition leader Brian Mundubile for questioning over an alleged threat to national security, days after elections marked by a crackdown on opponents and the re-election of President Hakainde Hichilema. Mundubile, who came second in the August 13 presidential election, has announced his intention to challenge the results in court. In this context, Amnesty International is calling on the authorities to end what it calls "arbitrary arrests" and is demanding an investigation into recent events.

According to a police statement, a team has been investigating "for several years" serious threats to national security and wants to question Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu. Without specifying the nature of the alleged threats, the statement cites "alarming activities" that could compromise national security, observed in premises linked to the two men. They reject accusations that their alliance is involved in an insurgency or militia. A week ago, a parliamentarian and former minister, Mutotwe Kafwaya, was shot dead during a raid by security forces at one of Mundubile's residences.