Zambian police have summoned opposition leader Brian Mundubile for questioning over alleged national security threats in the latest escalation of a post-election dispute that analysts say may tarnish the country's democratic reputation.
The August 13 poll was widely expected to result in a smooth re-election for President Hakainde Hichilema, who took power in 2021 in the mineral-rich Southern African nation.
Two reports by independent observers found indications that Hichilema's vote count was inflated, but that he would have won anyway. Hichilema denies any fraud.
Mundubile, who plans to challenge the results in court, has gone into hiding.
OPPOSITION FACES DEADLINE TO FILE COURT CHALLENGE
In a statement late on Thursday, police said they wanted to interview Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, who they said had sought refuge "under international law with a known international organisation".
The purpose would be to establish links between the two and "various alarming activities... which have the potential to threaten or undermine national security," it said.
The government has not brought charges or publicly produced evidence to support the allegations, drawing condemnation from international organisations.
Mundubile could not be reached for comment, but has previously dismissed the allegations as fabricated.
Nicole Beardsworth, a politics lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, said the post-election fallout was surprising, given that Hichilema had been expected to win re-election.
"This is completely out of the bounds of the ordinary for Zambia," she said.
The opposition has until early Tuesday one week after the results were announced - to file an election challenge in court. But the arrests of senior party members and the police summons may make that difficult, said Beardsworth.
