Malawi’s political landscape is gearing up for a high-stakes rematch as former President Peter Mutharika, at the age of 84, has been chosen to lead the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) into the next year’s presidential election. This marks a remarkable comeback for Mutharika, who had previously suggested he would not run for office again.
Mutharika’s decision to throw his hat back into the ring means he will once again face off against the current President, Lazarus Chakwera, in what will be their third electoral showdown. The two leaders have each tasted victory and defeat in the past, with Mutharika losing to Chakwera in a 2020 re-run ordered by the country’s Constitutional Court after it had annulled the previous year’s election.
The 2019 poll was marred by widespread irregularities, including the use of Tipp-Ex correction fluid on ballot papers, prompting the court’s intervention. Malawi’s judiciary was widely praised for its bravery in refusing to accept a second-rate election, though the political fallout within Mutharika’s party has been tumultuous.
Now, the DPP has expelled several members who sought to challenge Mutharika for the party leadership, paving the way for his re-election as party president. His supporters have rallied behind him, with Mutharika vowing to “remove an incompetent government” and reclaim the presidency.
However, critics argue that the DPP should have identified a younger, more energetic candidate to lead their charge, as the 84-year-old Mutharika faces a 15-year age gap with the incumbent Chakwera. The ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) will likely make Mutharika’s age a key campaign issue, questioning his physical and mental capacity to govern once more.
Chakwera’s administration has faced challenges in delivering on its campaign promises, citing the impact of COVID-19, natural disasters, and the economic fallout from the war in Ukraine. Yet, the government insists it has outperformed its predecessors by creating systems to curb corruption and undertaking major infrastructure projects, such as the reintroduction of train services and road construction.
As Malawi prepares for the high-stakes electoral rematch, the stage is set for a fierce battle between the experienced, yet aging Mutharika and the relatively younger Chakwera, with the country’s future development and governance at stake.
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