Malawi’s former president Peter Mutharika has made a dramatic political comeback, winning last week’s elections with a decisive 56.8 percent of the vote.
The country’s electoral commission confirmed the results on Wednesday, ending weeks of tense anticipation.
Incumbent leader Lazarus Chakwera, who secured just 33 percent of the ballots, conceded defeat earlier in the day, acknowledging that his rival’s lead was unassailable.
“It is only right that I concede defeat out of respect for your will as citizens and out of respect for the constitution,” said Chakwera, 70.
He pledged a peaceful handover of power, adding that his focus in the remaining days of office would be to ensure stability.
The election unfolded against the backdrop of one of Malawi’s toughest economic periods in recent history.
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The agricultural-dependent nation has been grappling with record inflation, fuel shortages, and soaring food prices.
Chakwera, who rose to power in 2020 promising reform and a tough stance on corruption, faced growing criticism for failing to deliver.
His administration was accused of indecisiveness and selective handling of graft cases, further eroding public trust.
Mutharika, 85, previously served as president from 2014 until 2020. Supporters often point to his track record of stabilising inflation and pushing forward infrastructure projects during his tenure. Still, his leadership was not without controversy: critics accused him of cronyism, allegations he firmly rejected.
His 2019 re-election was marred by irregularities so serious that Malawi’s constitutional court annulled the result. A rerun held in 2020 handed victory to Chakwera, setting the stage for their fierce rivalry.
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