Opposition leaders in Zambia have appealed to the African Union (AU) to intervene and block the planned 1 September inauguration of president-elect Hakainde Hichilema, whose re-election they are contesting. Emmanuel Mwamba of the Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance cited the forced closure of Zambia's Constitutional Court by security forces on 25 August — the final day legally available to file an election challenge — as a key grievance, arguing that the swearing-in would make any judicial review meaningless. Hichilema, who officially won the 13 August vote with roughly 60 per cent of the ballot, has denied fraud allegations, and a judiciary spokesperson confirmed the inauguration will proceed as scheduled under constitutional provisions.