President Hakainde Hichilema says a delegation from the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM), led by Chief Observer Michael McNamara, congratulated him and his Government on winning the August 13 general elections during a meeting at State House on Tuesday. In a statement addressed to citizens after the meeting, Hichilema said he was grateful President Hakainde Hichilema says a delegation from the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM), led by Chief Observer Michael McNamara, congratulated him and his Government on winning the August 13 general elections during a meeting at State House on Tuesday. In a statement addressed to citizens after the meeting, Hichilema said he was grateful President Hakainde Hichilema says EU election observers congratulated him during a State House meeting following the release of their final report on Zambia's August elections.

President Hakainde Hichilema says a delegation from the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM), led by Chief Observer Michael McNamara, congratulated him and his Government on winning the August 13 general elections during a meeting at State House on Tuesday.

In a statement addressed to citizens after the meeting, Hichilema said he was grateful for the warm wishes and congratulations extended by the delegation through McNamara.

The President also thanked the EU mission for its observations and recommendations, describing election observers as important players in strengthening and deepening democracy.

The meeting comes on the same day the EU Election Observation Mission released its final report on Zambia’s August 2026 elections, identifying concerns over police conduct, campaign conditions, state media coverage and transparency in the handling of election results.

The report made 13 recommendations, eight of which were classified as priorities, calling for improvements in areas including electoral transparency, freedom of expression, access to justice and equal campaign opportunities.

While acknowledging positive aspects of the electoral process, including the preparedness of the Electoral Commission of Zambia and the efficient administration of voting at polling stations, the mission also highlighted shortcomings it said affected the wider electoral environment.

Hichilema said his Government assured the delegation of its commitment to continue implementing reforms aimed at strengthening Zambia’s democracy and its partnership with the European Union.

He said a flourishing democracy was central to his administration’s Grow Zambia Agenda.

The President’s statement did not provide details of the discussion on the individual recommendations contained in the EU report or indicate whether the delegation had discussed specific concerns raised by the observers.

The reported congratulations are therefore being conveyed through the President’s account of the meeting, while the mission’s formal assessment remains contained in its published report.

For Zambia, the two developments present an important moment for engagement between Government and the European Union as discussions turn to the implementation of electoral reforms and the strengthening of democratic institutions.

The question now is how the Government will respond to the recommendations in the EU’s final report and what concrete reforms will follow.

Zambian Eye will continue following the debate over the EU findings and the Government’s next steps.

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