An important political breakthrough has occurred in Malawi: the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has reinstalled Peter Mutharika as its leader, and he will run for president in the upcoming 2025 election. The 84-year-old statesman has made a remarkable comeback after indicating his intention to retire from politics in the past.
Given that Mutharika had previously stated his intention to retire from politics, his comeback is all the more remarkable. His followers argue that he is the greatest choice to save Malawi from the present government’s perceived mistakes, which has led to his recent change of heart. After losing to Chakwera in the 2020 presidential rerun, which the Constitutional Court ordered after the 2019 election was annulled because of electoral fraud, Mutharika is making another push for leadership.
Claims of extensive anomalies, including ballot paper tampering, tainted the 2019 election. An historic moment occurred when the judges decided to nullify the results, showing their dedication to maintaining the integrity of the election in the face of intense political pressure. This judicial intervention demonstrated the crucial role of the court in maintaining democratic norms and set the stage for Chakwera’s success in the ensuing rerun.
Members who dared to oppose Mutharika’s leadership were expelled as a result of major factional battles that ensued after the 2020 election, causing internal upheaval within the DPP. Mutharika was able to re-elect herself as party leader without any opposition thanks to this internal struggle. Although it is considered as a formality, the DPP has officially endorsed Mutharika as their presidential candidate, strengthening his position for the forthcoming election.
With two wins and a loss under their belts, Mutharika and Chakwera are poised to square off for a third time in the 2025 election. With his recent utterances, Mutharika has made it clear that he is prepared to seize power once again. He has criticized the present administration for its ineffectual performance and asserted that the nation urgently needs his leadership to tackle its difficulties.
Even though he has strong support from other DPP members, some think a fresher, younger leader would better serve the party. Despite being fifteen years younger than Mutharika, President Chakwera has struggled to implement several of his campaign pledges, such as eliminating corruption, creating jobs, and guaranteeing food security. The natural calamities, economic repercussions of the crisis in Ukraine, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are the reasons the Chakwera administration is having trouble.
Despite these challenges, the present administration has achieved remarkable progress in fighting corruption and improving infrastructure, according to government officials, including Information Minister Moses Kunkuyu. Among the notable accomplishments are the ongoing huge road construction projects, especially in Lilongwe, the capital city, and the restoration of train services, which is a big development after a 30-year break.
The current ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) will have to defend its record and maybe capitalize on concerns about Mutharika’s age and fitness for office as the election campaign heats up. As the next presidential election in Malawi draws near, this dynamic will play a pivotal role in determining the course of events.
