Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema was sworn in for a second term Tuesday with the main opposition leader, who was the runner-up in last month’s elections, in jail on treason charges.

The August 13 ballot was marred by allegations of intimidation, pro-government bias and restrictions on the opposition, tarnishing the copper-rich country’s democratic reputation.

Thousands of cheering supporters wearing the red colours of Hichilema’s UPND party packed the Lusaka stadium as he took the oath at a ceremony attended by a handful of African leaders.

The 64-year-old tycoon won 60 percent of the vote followed by former provincial government minister Brian Mundubile on 38 percent, according to official results.

Hichilema has been credited with steering Zambia through a major economic turnaround during his first five-year term, which started in 2021.

He pursued market-friendly reforms, abolished the death penalty and made primary and secondary education free.

Critics say, however, that the economic growth has yet to translate into better living standards for ordinary households stretched by rising prices.

More than 70 percent of Zambia’s 22 million people live on less than three dollars a day, according to World Bank data.

There are also charges that Hichilema’s government has narrowed the space for political dissent.