OBy Enyichukwu Enemanna
Peter Mutharika was on Saturday sworn-in as Malawi’s President following a historic political comeback that saw him defeat incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera in last month’s election.
Thousands gathered at Kamuzu Stadium in the commercial capital, Blantyre for the inauguration of Mutharika, 85. He previously served as President t of the southern African nation from 2014 to 2020.
He lost office in 2020, after a 2019 election he won was annulled by a court which cited widespread irregularities, ordering a rerun the following year. This gave room for Chakwera’s victory.
In the Sept. 16 presidential poll, Mutharika a former professor of law won 56% of the vote compared with Chakwera who secured only 33%.
Mutharika takes is coming back to power at a time of economic crisis in Malawi, which is already one of Africa’s least developed countries.
Soaring inflation and fuel and food shortages led to deep discontent with the leadership of Chakwera.
Malawi, which is heavily reliant on agriculture, has also been hit by recent climate shocks, including a devastating cyclone in 2023 and a drought last year that destroyed crops.
“Our nation is in crisis. There is no food, no foreign exchange. This is a man-made crisis,” Mutharika said at his inauguration on Saturday. “We will fix this country. I don’t promise you milk and honey, but hard work.”
Mutharika, who studied at Yale University in the United States vowed to clamp down on corruption, although he also faced graft allegations during his first term.
He appealed to the international community to invest in Malawi, saying the country seeks partnerships, not handouts.
He praised the United States, the U.K. and the European Union for their support in fighting corruption and said that a Malawian delegation will soon travel to Washington to negotiate following the cutting of U.S. aid that has hurt Malawi.
Chakwera did not attend Mutharika’s inauguration, but his Malawi Congress Party sent a goodwill message.
