Malawi’s former President, Peter Mutharika, has been declared winner of last week’s presidential election, marking a dramatic political comeback for the 85-year-old.
Official results released by the electoral commission show that Mutharika secured 57 percent of the vote against incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera’s 33 percent. President Chakwera, 70, conceded defeat ahead of the final declaration, placing a call to congratulate Mutharika on what he described as a “historic win.”
Mutharika, a former law professor, previously served as president from 2014 to 2020 before losing to Chakwera in a rerun election. His return to power comes at a time when Malawi faces severe economic hardship, including soaring inflation, acute shortages of fuel and foreign currency, and high food prices. Inflation currently stands at nearly 30 percent, with basic items such as frozen chicken costing about 20 dollars in the capital, Lilongwe, despite most citizens living on less than two dollars a day.
The electoral commission explained that it took the full eight days permitted by law to announce the results in order to thoroughly check the figures and address complaints. Malawi’s 2019 election, also won by Mutharika, was annulled by the country’s top court over widespread irregularities, leading to the 2020 rerun in which Chakwera won by a large margin. This year’s poll was the fourth electoral contest between the two rivals.
In his concession speech, President Chakwera acknowledged concerns about what he termed “irregularities and anomalies,” but said he was accepting the outcome out of respect for the will of Malawians who had voted for change. His message sparked widespread celebrations in Lilongwe, where Mutharika’s supporters poured into the streets singing, dancing, and chanting “adadi,” meaning father in the local Chichewa language.
Many analysts describe the outcome as a rejection of Chakwera’s leadership than an endorsement of Mutharika. Under Chakwera, the country struggled with corruption, high living costs, frequent power cuts, and worsening economic conditions. Although these challenges also existed under Mutharika’s tenure, his campaign promise of a “return to proven leadership” resonated strongly with voters.
Speculation, however, continues over Mutharika’s health and whether he has the stamina to govern effectively at 85, as he was rarely seen in public during the campaign. According to Malawi’s constitution, his swearing-in must take place within seven to 30 days after the announcement of results.
Source: BBC News
