A claim that the United Nations had not congratulated President Hakainde Hichilema following Zambia’s 13 August 2026 General Election is false. On 10 September 2026, the Zambia Mission to the United Nations confirmed that UN Secretary-General António Guterres had congratulated President Hichilema on his re-election and assumption of a second term, reaffirming the UN’s commitment to continued cooperation with Zambia.
Claim
A claim published on the Lily Mutamz TV Facebook page on 10 September 2026 stated that the United Nations had not congratulated President Hakainde Hichilema following his victory in Zambia’s 13 August 2026 General Election.
Verdict: False
Rating Justification
iVerify Zambia reviewed the claim and found it to be false.
Contrary to the claim, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres did congratulate President Hakainde Hichilema on his re-election and assumption of a second term as President of the Republic of Zambia.
In a statement published by the Zambia Mission to the United Nations on 10 September 2026, the Mission confirmed that Mr Guterres had congratulated President Hichilema and expressed confidence that the close partnership between Zambia and the United Nations would continue. A further follow up enquiry with the UN in Zambia confirmed that the letter was sent directly to the Government.
The congratulatory message followed President Hichilema’s re-election in the 13 August 2026 presidential election and his swearing-in for a second term on 1 September 2026. The UN Secretary-General also reaffirmed the United Nations’ commitment to supporting Zambia’s national development priorities and implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The claim may have arisen from an earlier statement issued by the United Nations in Zambia on 14 August 2026. At that time, the UN clarified that it had not endorsed, congratulated or commented on any candidate or electoral outcome and had not deployed election observers for the 13 August election. That statement concerned the UN’s position at that stage of the electoral process and does not contradict the subsequent congratulatory message issued after the election and inauguration.
Fact-Checking Process
iVerify Zambia:
- Reviewed the claim published by Lily Mutamz TV on 10 September 2026.
- Searched for official information concerning the UN’s position on President Hichilema’s re-election.
- Contacted the UN in Zambia.
- Reviewed information published by the Zambia Mission to the United Nations confirming that Secretary-General António Guterres had congratulated President Hichilema.
- Cross-checked the finding against the UN’s earlier 14 August statement concerning its position during the electoral process.
Why It Matters
Claims about whether international organisations have recognised or endorsed an electoral outcome can influence public perceptions of the credibility and legitimacy of an election. Publishing information without considering the timing and context of official statements can therefore create a misleading impression among the public.
In this case, the claim overlooks the subsequent congratulatory message from the UN Secretary-General following President Hichilema’s re-election and assumption of a new term.
Conclusion
The claim by Lily Mutamz TV that the United Nations had not congratulated President Hakainde Hichilema is false.
Official information from the Zambia Mission to the United Nations confirms that UN Secretary-General António Guterres congratulated President Hichilema on his re-election and assumption of a second term on 10 September 2026. The Secretary-General also reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to continued cooperation with the Zambian Government in advancing national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The claim appears to have overlooked the distinction between the UN’s 14 August clarification, when it said it had not endorsed or congratulated any candidate or electoral outcome, and its 10 September congratulatory message, issued after President Hichilema had been sworn in for a new term.
iVerify Zambia has previously fact-checked claims published by the Lily Mutamz TV Facebook page. Members of the public are encouraged to verify information published on social media against official and credible sources before accepting or sharing it, particularly where the information concerns elections, governance and other matters of public interest.
Evidence
- Statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Zambia https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19ohA6GJSy/
- Statement by the Zambia Mission to the United Nations, confirming United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres Congratulates President Hichilema, 10 September 2026 https://www.zambiaun.org/united-nations-secretary-general-antonio-guterres-congratulates-president-hichilema/
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