Trump Administration Warming To Zambian President Hichilema Following Disputed Reelection

By Semafor Africa Photos: Wikimedia Commons The Trump administration is warming to Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema following his disputed reelection, despite growing concerns in Washington about a post-election crackdown. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Frank Garcia attended Hichilema’s inauguration this week and separately met with the Zambian leader. The Trump administration’s posture towards the government in Lusaka contrasts with warnings from Democrats on Capitol Hill, some of whom had urged the State Department before the Aug. 13 poll to press for a free and fair election. Zambia’s election commission declared Hichilema the winner with about 60% of the vote, but opposition candidate Brian Mundubile has alleged irregularities and election observers have also reported inflated vote tallies and improper administration. Ties between the US and Zambia frayed this year following reports the State Department was tying health funding to preferential mineral access for US firms, a plan that Africa’s second-largest copper producer rejected. However, Zambia is central to the US-backed Lobito Corridor linking Angola, DR Congo, and Zambia’s copper belt to the Atlantic.