Zambia’s Hichilema faces second-term test as copper giant votes

Zambians go to the polls on Thursday to elect a president, lawmakers, and local councilors. President Hakainde Hichilema is seeking a second term in office. The vote marks the country’s eighth general election since it returned to multi-party democracy. The southern African nation is a key player in the global mining sector, holding some of the world’s richest copper reserves. Its status as a critical mineral hub makes the election’s outcome significant for international markets.