Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera has lost his re-election bid to former president Peter Mutharika, 85, in a fiercely contested election. Official results, still being finalized by the Electoral Commission for a Wednesday announcement, show Mutharika with a significant lead.
Chakwera, 70, of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), conceded defeat in a national address, stating that Mutharika held an “insurmountable lead.” He called Mutharika to offer congratulations and pledged a peaceful transfer of power. Chakwera, a former pastor, defeated Mutharika, a constitutional law expert from the Democratic Progressive Party, in the 2020 election.
The September 16 election was dominated by economic woes in the agriculture-dependent nation, with inflation hitting 33% and soaring costs for maize and fertilizer. Critics accused Chakwera of mismanaging the economy, failing to tackle corruption, and not delivering on job creation promises.
Mutharika, who led Malawi from 2014 to 2020, was praised for improving infrastructure and lowering inflation during his tenure, though he faced allegations of cronyism, which he denied. His 2019 election win was overturned due to irregularities, leading to Chakwera’s victory in the 2020 re-run.
Chakwera acknowledged the disappointment of his supporters but reaffirmed his commitment to a smooth transition.
