Peter Mutharika was sworn in on Saturday for a second term as President of Malawi, pledging to eliminate government corruption and rebuild the country’s struggling economy.
At 85 years old, Mutharika secured a decisive victory in last month’s election, receiving over 56% of the vote and defeating outgoing President Lazarus Chakwera, 70, who garnered just 33%.
The result reflected public frustration with Chakwera’s leadership during five years of deepening economic hardship in one of the world’s poorest nations.
The September 16 election marked the fourth time Mutharika and Chakwera had faced off in a presidential race.
The inauguration ceremony was held in a packed stadium in Blantyre, Malawi’s commercial capital, where thousands of supporters clad in the Democratic Progressive Party’s blue and white colours gathered alongside government officials and visiting African leaders.
In his inaugural speech, Mutharika described the dire state of the nation he is inheriting: severe food shortages, high living costs, fuel scarcities, and a crippling lack of foreign currency that has severely disrupted businesses.
“There is no money in government. Borrowing is extremely high, and nobody knows where the borrowed money has gone,” he stated. Despite the challenges, he promised reform. “We will fix this country,” he declared. “I don’t promise you milk and honey. I promise you hard work, tough and painful decisions. The honeymoon of looting government is over!”
Mutharika also appealed to the international community for renewed investment. Directly addressing U.S.
President Donald Trump, he announced plans to send a delegation to the United States to explore economic opportunities, particularly in light of recent cuts to U.S. foreign aid.
Although Chakwera did not attend the ceremony, his Malawi Congress Party issued a statement wishing Mutharika success and good health in his new term.
