On October 4, 2025, the Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, Malawi’s bustling commercial hub, was awash in blue and white as thousands of supporters, government officials, and foreign dignitaries gathered to witness a moment few had predicted: the return of Peter Mutharika to the presidency at the age of 85. Against a backdrop of mounting economic hardship and public discontent, Mutharika’s inauguration marked a stunning political comeback for a man who had once been ousted after a court-nullified election.
It was a scene thick with symbolism and expectation. The stadium, packed with cheering crowds, military parades, and the ceremonial oath administered by Chief Justice Rezine Mzikamanda, set the stage for a leader stepping back into the limelight with a promise of tough love and sweeping change. Jane Ansah, the former chairperson of the Malawi Electoral Commission, joined him as vice president, underscoring a new alliance at the summit of Malawian politics (Xinhua).
Mutharika’s victory in the September 16 election was decisive. According to the Malawi Electoral Commission, he secured nearly 3.04 million votes—56% of the total—while his closest rival, incumbent Lazarus Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party, garnered around 1.77 million, or 33%. The contest, the fourth between the two men, unfolded amid a climate of rising inflation, unemployment, and acute shortages of food and fuel, issues that dominated both the campaign and the concerns of everyday Malawians (Reuters, AP, Xinhua).
For Mutharika, the road back to power was anything but smooth. He first served as president from 2014 to 2020, but his 2019 re-election was thrown out by the courts due to widespread irregularities—a historic moment in African democracy. Forced to cede power after a rerun in 2020, Mutharika’s return five years later is nothing short of remarkable. The people, it seems, were ready to give him another chance, banking on his experience as a law professor trained at Yale and his promises of reform (AP, Reuters).
But the Malawi he inherits is in crisis. The country stands among the world’s least developed, and the situation has only worsened in recent years. Soaring inflation has eroded household savings, foreign exchange reserves have dwindled to critical levels, and persistent fuel shortages have crippled businesses. The scars of recent climate disasters—a devastating cyclone in 2023 and a ruinous drought the following year—are still fresh, with agriculture, Malawi’s economic backbone, left battered (AP, Reuters).
In his inaugural address, Mutharika did not mince words. “Our nation is in crisis. There is no food, no foreign exchange. This is a man-made crisis,” he declared, taking direct aim at the previous administration. “We will fix this country. I don’t promise you milk and honey, but hard work, tough and painful decisions.” His candor struck a chord with many, weary after years of hardship and failed promises (AP, Reuters).
Corruption, a perennial thorn in Malawi’s side, was front and center in Mutharika’s speech. “The honeymoon of looting government is over!” he thundered, warning, “I warn you, whether you are a civil servant, politician, businessperson or party official, if I find you looting the government, you are done.” It was a message both to his supporters and to the broader public, signaling a break with the past and a commitment to accountability (AFP/Getty, Xinhua).
Yet, Mutharika’s own record is not without blemish. During his previous term, he too faced allegations of graft—a fact not lost on observers at home and abroad. Still, he insisted, “The time of corruption and looting is over ... and this is my last warning.” He promised real change, declaring, “We are here to serve the will of the people with one vision, one dream, one country and one purpose: we all wanted change, we voted for change, we accepted change, and I promise you real change” (Xinhua).
Malawi’s economic woes are not just a matter of policy missteps. The outgoing administration, led by Chakwera, had struggled to keep the economy afloat amid global shocks and local disasters. As Mutharika put it, “There is no money in government. Borrowing is extremely high, and nobody knows where the borrowed money has gone.” The lack of transparency and mounting debt have fueled public anger and skepticism toward the political class (Reuters).
International engagement was another key theme. Mutharika reached out to the global community, seeking partnerships and investment rather than handouts. He praised the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union for their support in fighting corruption and signaled a pragmatic approach to foreign relations. With U.S. aid recently cut, he announced that a Malawian delegation would soon travel to Washington to negotiate. He also noted that U.S. President Donald Trump had sent a personal message of congratulations, a gesture that did not go unnoticed (AP, Reuters).
The inauguration itself was notable for who was—and wasn’t—present. Outgoing President Chakwera did not attend, but his Malawi Congress Party sent a message of goodwill, wishing Mutharika success and good health. It was a rare moment of civility in a political landscape often marked by rivalry and recrimination (AP, Reuters).
For ordinary Malawians, the stakes could hardly be higher. The election took place as inflation and unemployment soared, and the hardships of daily life grew ever more acute. The hope, voiced by many in the crowd and echoed in Mutharika’s promises, is that this new chapter will bring the stability and reform so desperately needed (Times of India, AP).
Still, the challenges ahead are immense. Mutharika has pledged to “fix this country” through hard work, tough decisions, and a relentless fight against corruption. Whether he can deliver on these promises—especially given the magnitude of Malawi’s economic and social crises—remains to be seen. But for now, the crowds at Kamuzu Stadium and the millions who cast their votes for change are watching, waiting, and hoping that this time, things will be different.
As the sun set over Blantyre and the new administration took its first steps, one thing was clear: Malawi’s future hangs in the balance, and the world is watching to see if Peter Mutharika’s second act will live up to its promise.
