Malawi’s political landscape has been jolted by the return of Peter Mutharika, who at the age of 85 has been sworn in once again as the nation’s president, nearly a decade after his first term was cut short. The inauguration, held on October 4, 2025, at a packed Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, signaled not only a dramatic personal comeback but also a significant reshuffling among Africa’s oldest and most enduring leaders, according to Central News and BBC reports.
Mutharika’s decisive victory in the September 16 election—securing over 56% of the vote and overcoming incumbent Lazarus Chakwera’s 33%—has thrust him back onto the continental stage as Africa’s second-oldest sitting president, just behind Cameroon’s 92-year-old Paul Biya. This result, confirmed by the Malawi Electoral Commission on September 24, came amid one of the highest voter turnouts in the country’s history at 76.4%, reflecting intense engagement in a nation grappling with severe economic and social challenges.
For many Malawians, the return of Mutharika is both a moment of nostalgia and a flashpoint for debate about the direction of national leadership. His first term, from 2014 to 2020, ended in controversy when courts overturned his re-election, paving the way for Chakwera’s rise. Now, as he takes the oath of office before Chief Justice Rizine Mzikamanda, Mutharika faces a nation battered by inflation, persistent fuel shortages, and recurring climate shocks that have left millions in food insecurity.
At the heart of his inaugural address, delivered to a sea of supporters clad in his Democratic Progressive Party’s blue and white, Mutharika struck a tone of both resolve and candor. "Our nation’s challenges are immense, but not insurmountable," he declared, before warning of the difficult road ahead. In a moment that captured the urgency of Malawi’s economic plight, he stated, "There is no money in government. Borrowing is extremely high, and nobody knows where the borrowed money has gone." His message was clear: the "honeymoon of looting government" was over, and the time for "hard work, tough and painful decisions" had arrived.
Observers from the European Union Election Observation Mission praised the peaceful and orderly conduct of the polls, with 99% of voting assessed positively. Still, the mission noted persistent concerns, including gaps in campaign finance regulation and low participation by women candidates. These issues, while not overshadowing the legitimacy of the outcome, highlight the ongoing need for democratic reforms in Malawi’s political system.
Chakwera, who did not attend the inauguration, conceded defeat gracefully and wished his successor well through a statement from his Malawi Congress Party. The peaceful transfer of power was widely hailed as a democratic milestone, especially in a region where electoral disputes have all too often led to unrest.
Mutharika’s comeback has reignited a familiar debate across Africa: the tension between experienced, older leaders and the pressing call for generational renewal. While some Malawians see him as a steady hand capable of restoring order and stability, critics argue that his return is emblematic of a broader pattern of "political recycling" that sidelines younger voices. As one political analyst in Blantyre put it, "This is not just about age, it’s about the ability to connect with the urgency of a new generation."
Indeed, age remains a defining feature of leadership on the continent. With Mutharika now occupying the second spot among Africa’s oldest serving presidents—after Biya and ahead of Equatorial Guinea’s Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who is 83 and the world’s longest-serving non-monarchical head of state—the question of renewal versus experience is as relevant as ever. For Mutharika, this second term offers a chance to shape how history will remember him: as a seasoned statesman closing out a long career, or as a symbol of Africa’s struggle to rejuvenate its leadership class.
Beyond the symbolism, the economic stakes for Malawi are high. The country faces acute poverty, with more than half the population living below the poverty line, and youth unemployment rates soaring. Climate-driven hardships have compounded food shortages, while a lack of foreign currency has crippled businesses and fueled inflation. Mutharika acknowledged these challenges head-on, pledging to root out government corruption, implement tough economic reforms, and boost intra-African trade as part of his growth strategy.
His appeal for international support was unmistakable. In a notable move, Mutharika called directly on U.S. President Donald Trump for investment, announcing plans to send a delegation to the United States to negotiate renewed aid following recent cuts in U.S. foreign assistance. As Central News reported, this outreach underscores Malawi’s deep dependency on donor support and the urgent need to rebuild global partnerships.
Regional and international reactions were swift. Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa attended the inauguration, reaffirming Malawi’s ties within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), where the country is set to deputise the bloc ahead of taking the chair in 2026. Leaders from the United Arab Emirates sent congratulatory messages, signaling broader international interest in Malawi’s stability and growth prospects. Civil society organizations, such as the Civil Society Network on Climate Change (CISONECC), pledged to support sustainability and resilience initiatives under the new administration.
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, the challenges ahead are daunting. Mutharika’s promise to "fix this country" will be tested by the scale of the nation’s fiscal constraints, the need for transparency and accountability, and the imperative to deliver tangible improvements in the daily lives of Malawians. Analysts warn that without significant progress on anti-corruption efforts and economic reforms, public patience could wear thin, and the hope that accompanied his return could quickly give way to renewed frustration.
Still, the peaceful transition and high voter engagement have been widely praised as signs of democratic maturation. The EU’s endorsement of the electoral process, despite some irregularities, stands in stark contrast to the disputed and ultimately annulled 2019 election that led to Mutharika’s previous ouster. This time, the process has been described as a "democratic milestone" for Malawi, with the orderly handover of power serving as a model for the region.
As Peter Mutharika settles into his new term, the eyes of Malawi—and indeed much of Africa—will be watching closely. Whether his leadership will bring the stability and renewal so many desire, or simply extend the era of Africa’s old guard, remains to be seen. For now, Malawians are left to weigh the promise of experience against the pressing need for fresh vision in a country at a crossroads.
