Zambian government of President Hakainde #Hichilema has now arrested and detained his main political rival and opposition leader, Brian #Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, as authorities intend to charge them with an “alleged ‌offence ⁠of treason.” Police, who grilled them for the entire day, have not publicly detailed the conduct they allege constitutes treason, nor have they disclosed what evidence prompted the investigation. Mundubile failed to file a presidential election petition challenging President Hichilema’s victory following the state’s unprecedented order to shut down courts across the country for “security reasons.” The courts are now fully operational. Mundubile, who has been living under diplomatic sanctuary, challenged President Hichilema in the just-concluded presidential election. Hichilema has since been declared the winner and will be sworn in Tuesday next week. Treason charges are frequently a focal point of political friction in Zambia, often brought up against high-profile opposition leaders. Prior to becoming President, Hichilema was detained and charged with treason following a political standoff involving his failure to yield to President Edgar Lungu’s motorcade. At the time, he was the leader of Zambia’s main opposition, challenging President Lungu. He spent more than 100 days in a high-security prison while awaiting trial. It took the intervention of Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland, who traveled to Zambia to meet Lungu and Hichilema, for the state to drop all treason charges. Three years later, Hichilema won the 2021 presidential election and became the President of Zambia.