Malawi’s former President Peter Mutharika has been proclaimed the winner of the recent elections, securing 57% of the vote against incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera, who received 33%. Chakwera, a pastor prior to his political career, conceded defeat ahead of the final results, personally congratulating Mutharika on what he termed a “historic win.”
Mutharika, who previously served as president from 2014 to 2020 before losing to Chakwera, now faces a significant economic challenge. Malawi is currently grappling with a severe shortage of fuel and foreign currency, amid an official inflation rate nearing 30%. Prices have surged; for example, a frozen chicken in the capital, Lilongwe, costs approximately $20, which is a substantial burden in a country where many citizens live on $2 a day or less.
The election commission took the full eight days allocated to announce the results to ensure careful verification and to address complaints. Notably, the 2019 election results, which Mutharika had initially won, were annulled by the Malawian Supreme Court due to widespread irregularities. The following year, Chakwera won the rerun election by a considerable margin. This election marks the fourth direct contest between Mutharika and Chakwera.
In his concession speech, Chakwera expressed his concerns regarding “irregularities” but stated he accepted the outcome out of respect for the will of the majority. This admission seemed to ignite celebrations among Mutharika’s supporters, who took to the streets in joy.
Chakwera’s tenure saw a rise in troubling issues, including corruption, economic hardship, and frequent power outages. His allies attribute these challenges to external factors, such as natural disasters and global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Mutharika’s campaign slogan of “a return to proven leadership” found favor with voters, but questions remain about his capacity to lead at age 85, particularly given his limited visibility during the campaign. The swearing-in ceremony for Mutharika must be held within a month of the announcement of the election results.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg4n0rrn1no?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss