Security forces in Zambia on Friday seized weapons and arrested 11 people, including senior opposition leaders, saying they were linked to an alleged insurrection plot.
The raid, reportedly conducted in the capital Lusaka, also targeted Brian Mundubile, Zambia’s leading opposition candidate in Thursday’s presidential vote, as confirmed by civil servant Patrick Kangwa.
Mundubile called the claims “fabrications” and alleged that security forces staged an assassination attempt on his home, describing an armed intrusion with breaches and shots fired at his house.
Hakainde Hichilema was reported to have won the election with 62% of the vote, while Mundubile secured 36%, though he has insisted on a lead and cited voting irregularities without evidence.
Arrested individuals were said to possess high‑grade military weapons and the authorities highlighted the threat to state security, amid broader concerns over the timing of the raid and possible political motive.
The incident has inflamed tensions, with observers warning that the election environment was “constrained” and calling for transparent, lawful conduct of the remaining electoral processes.
The government maintains it has prevented a potential coup, while opposition parties claim the crackdown will undermine the democratic mandate of the newly elected president.
