Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera has admitted defeat in the September 16 election, confirming that his opponent, former president Peter Mutharika, had taken an unassailable lead.
The announcement came on Wednesday in a national address, just hours before the electoral commission was expected to declare the final results.
Chakwera, who first rose to power in 2020 after defeating Mutharika, acknowledged the outcome and revealed that he had personally called the former leader to congratulate him. The 70-year-old leader of the Malawi Congress Party said he would oversee a peaceful transfer of authority before officially leaving office.
The election took place amid growing frustration over Malawi’s struggling economy. Many voters expressed dissatisfaction with Chakwera’s handling of inflation, food prices, and corruption. During his presidency, inflation climbed to 33 percent, while the cost of maize and fertiliser—two essentials in the agriculture-based nation—rose sharply. These economic hardships became a central issue in the campaign.
Critics accused Chakwera of failing to deliver on promises to improve job opportunities and manage the country’s finances more effectively. Supporters of Mutharika’s Democratic Progressive Party seized on these grievances, helping propel the former president back to power.
Chakwera, once a pastor before entering politics, said that while his supporters may be disappointed, he remained committed to ensuring a smooth transition. His concession marks the end of his five-year tenure and the return of Mutharika, who previously served as Malawi’s leader until 2020.