In a dramatic turn of events, Malawi’s political landscape has shifted once again as Peter Mutharika, the country’s former president, secured a decisive victory in the presidential election held on September 16, 2025. The 85-year-old law professor and leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) clinched 56.8% of the vote, according to the Malawi Electoral Commission’s official results announced on September 24 and 25. His main rival, the incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera, garnered just 33% and conceded defeat in a televised speech before the final tally was officially released.
The election, which saw a total of 17 candidates vying for the top job—including another former president, Joyce Banda—was widely viewed as a rematch between Mutharika and Chakwera. This marked the fourth time the two seasoned politicians faced off at the ballot box, underscoring the enduring rivalry that has defined Malawi’s recent political era, as reported by AP and Moneyweb.
Chakwera, a 70-year-old former evangelical preacher, addressed the nation with humility and grace. “This outcome is a reflection of your collective will to have a change of government, and so it is only right that I concede defeat out of respect for your will as citizens and out of respect for the constitution,” he said during his concession speech, as quoted by AP. He further acknowledged that while there had been complaints of irregularities from several parties, including his own Malawi Congress Party (MCP), the Malawi Electoral Commission had not reported any major problems and had worked to resolve all complaints during the eight-day verification period.
Supporters of Mutharika erupted into celebrations across the capital, Lilongwe, and the commercial hub of Blantyre. Crowds thronged the streets, honking horns, singing, and dancing well into the night. Chants of “adadi” (father) and “achoke” (he must go) echoed through the air, reflecting both relief and anticipation for change. Some celebrants even tore down posters of the outgoing president, a symbolic gesture marking the end of Chakwera’s tenure.
The backdrop to this electoral upheaval is a nation grappling with profound economic distress. Malawi, with a population of over 21 million, remains one of the world’s poorest countries. During Chakwera’s presidency, the country was battered by a litany of crises: inflation soared to nearly 30%, foreign currency reserves fell into negative territory (with net international reserves likely $2 billion in the red, as Moneyweb notes), and basic goods became prohibitively expensive—frozen chicken, for example, reached $20 in a country where most citizens survive on less than $2 a day. Fuel shortages and power cuts became routine, and the cost of staple foods like maize and fertilizer rose sharply, further straining rural households that make up over 80% of the population.
While Chakwera’s critics accused him of mismanagement, indecisiveness, and failure to tackle corruption, his allies pointed to external shocks: the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and a series of devastating natural disasters, including a cyclone in 2023 and a drought last year. These factors, they argued, would have challenged any administration. Still, the electorate’s frustration boiled over, fueling demands for a return to what Mutharika’s campaign branded as “proven leadership.”
Mutharika’s political comeback is nothing short of remarkable. After serving as president from 2014 to 2020, he was ousted in a court-ordered rerun of the 2019 election—an unprecedented event in African politics, as he became the first leader on the continent to be removed from office following an annulled election due to irregularities. His first term saw achievements in infrastructure development and inflation control, but it was also marred by allegations of cronyism and public discontent over food shortages and electricity outages—accusations he has consistently denied.
Now, Mutharika returns to power with a mandate to accelerate economic growth, support startups and farmers, and, crucially, clamp down on the corruption that tainted his earlier administration. In his post-election remarks, he pledged to “restore confidence in government and deliver tangible results for all Malawians.” The challenges ahead are daunting: the economy relies heavily on tobacco farming and tourism, both vulnerable sectors, and the cost-of-living crisis remains acute. Yet, Mutharika’s supporters are optimistic, recalling his record of lowering inflation and improving infrastructure during his previous tenure.
The election’s significance has resonated beyond Malawi’s borders. Kenya’s former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua hailed Mutharika’s victory as a “continental statement” that the ballot can oust punitive leadership. “It is a declaration that Africa, the rising continent and a home to 1.5 billion people, is no longer a playground for religious hypocrisy, conmanship, corruption, pathological lies, dictatorship, and self-serving regimes,” Gachagua posted on social media, urging Kenyans to emulate Malawi’s example in their own upcoming elections. “The will of the people is supreme. WANTAM IS A REALITY!” he declared, referencing the popular slogan that swept through Malawi’s campaign season.
Despite the peaceful transition, the road to Mutharika’s swearing-in was not without legal drama. The MCP attempted to block the result’s announcement with a court application, but the injunction was denied. According to Moneyweb, the Malawi Electoral Commission is also tasked with finalizing parliamentary results, where the DPP secured 67 of 229 seats, the MCP 50, and independents another 67. The swearing-in ceremony for Mutharika is required to take place within seven to 30 days of the result declaration, setting the stage for a new administration by late October 2025.
Malawi’s democratic journey has not been a straight line. Since gaining independence from Britain in 1964, the nation endured three decades under the autocratic rule of Hastings Banda before shifting to multiparty democracy in 1994. The last two decades have seen peaceful transfers of power, but also repeated cycles of hope and disappointment as leaders struggle to deliver lasting economic progress.
In the wake of this historic election, Malawians are cautiously optimistic. The streets of Lilongwe and Blantyre may be filled with jubilation now, but the real test for Mutharika’s administration will be whether it can deliver on promises of economic revival and good governance. The collective will for change is clear—what remains to be seen is whether the new-old leader can turn that will into a better future for all.