Malawi’s Mutharika Sworn in for Second Term as President

Malawi’s Peter Mutharika was sworn in on Saturday for a second term as the country’s president, pledging to eradicate government corruption and revive the ailing economy of the southern African nation.

The 85-year-old Mutharika secured more than 56% of the vote last month, defeating outgoing President Lazarus Chakwera, 70, who received 33%. Voters rejected Chakwera after five years of worsening economic crises in one of the world’s poorest countries.

The September 16 election marked the fourth presidential contest between Mutharika and Chakwera.

Massive Turnout at Blantyre Ceremony

Mutharika took the oath of office at a stadium in Blantyre, the country’s commercial hub, where supporters clad in the Democratic Progressive Party’s blue and white colors, government officials, and African heads of state filled the venue to capacity.

In his inaugural address, he acknowledged inheriting an economy in crisis. He noted that Malawi is grappling with a severe food shortage, rising cost of living, and a lack of foreign currency, leading to stalled businesses and persistent fuel shortages.

“The government has no money. Debt is extremely high, and no one knows where the borrowed funds went,” he said.

However, he promised reforms, adding: “We will fix this country. I do not promise milk and honey. I promise hard work and tough, painful decisions. The honeymoon for looting the government is over!”

Mutharika also appealed to the international community for investment. Addressing U.S. President Donald Trump directly, he said Malawi would soon send a delegation to discuss the country’s potential, particularly in the wake of cuts to American foreign aid.

Chakwera’s Malawi Congress Party issued a statement saying that, although the outgoing president was absent from the inauguration, it wished Mutharika success and good health.