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In the heart of Lilongwe, Malawi’s vibrant capital, a moment of profound political significance unfolded on September 24, 2025. As the nation awaited the official results of the presidential election held on September 16, incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera took to the airwaves, delivering a concession speech that resonated deeply across the country. With a calm yet somber tone, he acknowledged the will of the people, stating his acceptance of defeat and commitment to a peaceful transfer of power. This unexpected move, made hours before the electoral commission’s announcement, marked the end of Chakwera’s five-year presidency and signaled the triumphant return of his predecessor, 85-year-old Peter Mutharika, in a dramatic rematch that captivated the nation.
The 2025 election was more than a contest between two candidates; it was a referendum on Chakwera’s leadership, tested by relentless economic hardship, natural disasters, and a restless electorate hungry for change. At 70, Chakwera, a former evangelical preacher with a commanding presence and a knack for oratory, had risen to power in 2020 on promises of anti-corruption reforms and economic revival. His opponent, Mutharika, a seasoned politician and law professor, leveraged his experience and regional strongholds to stage a remarkable comeback. Their rivalry, spanning four electoral battles, has come to define Malawi’s polarized yet dynamic political landscape. To understand the weight of this moment, one must explore the nation’s historical struggles, the economic crises that shaped voter sentiment, and the personal stories of Malawians who turned the tide.
A Nation Forged in Resilience
Malawi, a landlocked country of roughly 22 million nestled between Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique, has a political history shaped by its colonial past and post-independence challenges. Once known as Nyasaland under British rule, it gained independence in 1964 under Hastings Kamuzu Banda, a towering figure who ruled with an authoritarian grip until multiparty democracy emerged in 1994. Since then, Malawi’s elections have often been contentious, marked by disputes, protests, and judicial interventions that tested the nation’s democratic institutions. The 2025 election was no exception, pitting Chakwera against Mutharika in a high-stakes showdown that echoed their clashes in 2014, 2019, and 2020.
Mutharika first became president in 2014, following the death of his brother, Bingu wa Mutharika, who had governed since 2004. Peter’s initial victory was rooted in promises to continue Bingu’s legacy of infrastructure development and agricultural reform, critical for a nation dependent on tobacco exports and subsistence farming. However, his tenure was marred by accusations of nepotism, economic stagnation, and electoral fraud. The 2019 election, where Mutharika narrowly defeated Chakwera by less than 1%, became a flashpoint. Allegations of vote tampering—infamously involving correction fluid on tally sheets—sparked nationwide protests and a historic Constitutional Court ruling in 2020 that annulled the results, ordering a rerun. That decision, lauded as a triumph for judicial independence, set the stage for Chakwera’s victory in June 2020, when he led the Tonse Alliance, a coalition of nine opposition parties, to a decisive 59% win.
Chakwera’s inauguration was a moment of national hope. A pastor with a doctorate in divinity, he brought moral gravitas to his campaign, promising to root out corruption and unite a divided nation. Crowds in Blantyre and Lilongwe chanted “Tonse!”—meaning “all of us” in Chichewa—as he vowed to deliver jobs, food security, and transparency. Yet, the realities of governing one of the world’s poorest countries quickly dimmed the optimism, setting the stage for the challenges that would define his presidency and, ultimately, his defeat.
The Perfect Storm: Economic and Environmental Crises
Malawi’s economy, heavily reliant on agriculture, tobacco, and foreign aid, is vulnerable to both global market shifts and environmental shocks. Chakwera’s five years in office were battered by a series of crises that tested his administration’s resilience. In early 2023, Tropical Cyclone Freddy, one of the longest-lasting cyclones on record, tore through southern Malawi, killing over 1,000 people, displacing hundreds of thousands, and destroying crops and infrastructure. The following year, an El Niño-induced drought—the worst in four decades—scorched maize fields, the nation’s staple crop, plunging millions into food insecurity. These climate-driven disasters, compounded by Malawi’s negligible contribution to global emissions, underscored the country’s precarious position on the frontlines of climate change.
Economically, the situation was dire. Inflation, which stood at around 8% when Chakwera took office, soared to over 20% by mid-2022 and remained high for years, eroding household incomes. The Malawian kwacha plummeted, falling from 750 to over 1,700 against the U.S. dollar by 2025, driven by fuel shortages, rising import costs, and a growing trade deficit. Long queues for fuel and frequent power outages became daily frustrations, particularly in urban centers. Government measures, including multiple currency devaluations and austerity policies, failed to stabilize the economy, instead fueling public anger. Nearly three-quarters of Malawians live below the international poverty line, with undernourishment affecting half the population and child stunting rates exceeding 50% in some areas, perpetuating cycles of poverty and ill health.
Chakwera’s administration did achieve some successes. A robust COVID-19 vaccine rollout, supported by international partners, mitigated the pandemic’s impact. Investments in roads and agricultural subsidies aimed to boost smallholder farmers, while anti-corruption drives led to high-profile arrests. However, these efforts were overshadowed by scandals, including allegations of misappropriated emergency food aid, which echoed the very corruption Chakwera had pledged to eliminate. Critics pointed to his reliance on loyalists over skilled technocrats, leading to policy missteps and perceptions of ineffectiveness.
The 2025 Election: A Nation’s Verdict
As the September 16 election neared, it became clear that voters were judging Chakwera’s record against a backdrop of hardship. Rural areas, particularly in the Central Region, Chakwera’s stronghold, saw high voter turnout, but urban youth in Blantyre and Mzuzu expressed frustration over unemployment, which hovered at 20%. Mutharika, campaigning under the Democratic Progressive Party, positioned himself as a steady hand, promising economic recovery through mining investments and trade deals. Despite concerns about his age, his message of experience resonated, drawing massive crowds to rallies where he declared, “I’m not too old to lead; I’m experienced enough to deliver.”
Partial election results, released over the following week, showed Mutharika surging ahead with over 66% in key districts, a lead that proved insurmountable. On the morning of September 24, Chakwera, sensing the inevitable, addressed the nation from State House. Flanked by his wife and cabinet, he delivered a 20-minute speech that blended reflection with a call for unity. He spoke of his journey from the pulpit to the presidency, acknowledging the pain of defeat but emphasizing respect for democracy. His pledge to ensure a peaceful transition was a nod to Malawi’s history of post-election tensions, particularly the violent protests of 2019.
In Lilongwe, Mutharika’s supporters erupted in celebration, filling the streets with blue flags and chants of victory. The electoral commission, led by a respected judge, later confirmed the results: Mutharika secured 58.5% of the vote, Chakwera 38.2%, and Joyce Banda, the former president running a women-focused campaign, 3.3%. The 78% voter turnout, the highest in a decade, reflected the election’s stakes and the public’s determination to be heard.
Voices of the People: Stories Behind the Vote
The election’s outcome was shaped by the lived experiences of ordinary Malawians. In the flood-ravaged village of Mangochi, a farmer named Esther Phiri, 42, voted for Mutharika, hoping his promised irrigation projects would secure her family’s livelihood. “We trusted Chakwera, but hunger doesn’t lie,” she said. In Lilongwe’s markets, trader Abdul Karim, who sells used clothes, lamented the kwacha’s collapse: “My profits are gone, but my debts aren’t.” Young activists, like 24-year-old Tinashe Chisi, fueled social media campaigns decrying unemployment, their hashtags trending nationwide. In the South, Mutharika’s heartland, elders like 78-year-old Elias Jere danced in victory, recalling roads built during Mutharika’s first term.
Women’s voices, though underrepresented, were pivotal. Joyce Banda’s campaign, though underfunded, resonated with urban women facing rising domestic violence amid economic stress. Malawi’s parliament remains male-dominated, with women holding just 23% of seats, making Banda’s 3.3% a small but significant signal of shifting gender dynamics.
Regional and Global Implications
The election reverberates beyond Malawi’s borders. Across Africa, incumbents have faced similar voter backlash over economic woes, as seen in recent polls in Zambia and Kenya. Malawi’s peaceful transition sets an example for neighbors like Zimbabwe, where electoral disputes often turn violent. Internationally, donors providing billions in aid are watching Mutharika’s return closely, given past governance concerns. His pro-China stance, including railway projects, may strain ties with Western partners pushing for transparency.
On climate, Malawi’s struggles amplify global calls for funding to address losses from extreme weather, a key issue as international climate talks loom. Mutharika’s mining plans could attract investment but risk environmental backlash if not managed sustainably.
Mutharika’s Challenges and Chakwera’s Legacy
Mutharika’s second term, beginning with his November inauguration, faces daunting tasks. A $1.5 billion external debt demands fiscal discipline, while agriculture needs climate-resilient innovations like drought-resistant crops. Governance reforms, including digital voting systems, are critical to maintain donor trust. At 85, Mutharika’s health and succession plans will be scrutinized, with rumors of past ailments lingering.
For Chakwera, defeat opens a new chapter. As leader of the Malawi Congress Party, he must navigate coalition tensions and rebuild. His legacy includes defending judicial independence, but economic failures and scandals loom large. A return to philanthropy or even a 2030 candidacy remains possible.
A Nation at a Crossroads
Chakwera’s concession on September 24, 2025, was a moment of democratic grace, closing a chapter of struggle and opening one of cautious hope. Malawi’s resilience shines through its people—farmers, traders, youth—who voted for a better future despite crushing odds. Mutharika’s victory is a mandate to deliver, but success hinges on bold, inclusive policies to lift a nation where most survive on less than $3 a day. As the sun sets over Lake Malawi, the country stands poised for renewal, its democratic spirit unbroken.