The validity of this article as a news story is, as written, disputed. Wikinews does not publish reports on events that are not sufficiently recent. For synthesis, new details must have come to light within the past five to seven days, and the news event itself must have happened within ten days. Unless sources can be found and a news event chosen to bring this article into compliance with those requirements, the article may be deleted. If any new details from the last five to seven days are newsworthy in their own right then an article could be written with these updates as the actual news event. Exceptions are possible where original reporting adds significant new and newsworthy information to the article.
The user who tagged this article as stale left the following comment: dates |
| The validity of this article as a news story is, as written, disputed. Wikinews does not publish reports on events that are not sufficiently recent. For synthesis, new details must have come to light within the past five to seven days, and the news event itself must have happened within ten days. Unless sources can be found and a news event chosen to bring this article into compliance with those requirements, the article may be deleted. If any new details from the last five to seven days are newsworthy in their own right then an article could be written with these updates as the actual news event. Exceptions are possible where original reporting adds significant new and newsworthy information to the article.
The user who tagged this article as stale left the following comment: dates |
Sunday, August 3, 2025
BLANTYRE, August 3, 2025 –
Malawi’s political landscape intensified this weekend as two former presidents officially entered the race to unseat incumbent Lazarus Chakwera in the September 16 general elections. The campaigns of Peter Mutharika and Joyce Banda launched on Sunday amid growing economic discontent in the southern African nation.
The upcoming election marks Malawi’s third presidential contest since the landmark 2019 court decision that nullified Mutharika’s re-election due to “widespread and systematic” irregularities. This unprecedented judicial ruling led to Chakwera’s victory in the court-ordered 2020 rerun election, which international observers deemed largely fair.
Malawi’s constitutional framework limits presidents to two consecutive terms, but allows non-consecutive returns. This provision enables both Mutharika (2014-2020) and Banda (2012-2014) to seek office again.
Mutharika, the 85-year-old former law professor, launched his campaign before thousands of supporters in Blantyre, Malawi’s commercial capital. As leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Mutharika framed the election as a choice between “failed policies and proven leadership.”
“Under this administration, our kwacha has become worthless, our farms unproductive, and our future uncertain,” Mutharika stated, referencing Malawi’s 45% currency devaluation since 2020. His platform emphasizes agricultural revitalization and anti-corruption measures, despite his own administration facing graft allegations.
Meanwhile, 74-year-old Joyce Banda chose Ntcheu District, her political stronghold, for her campaign debut. The former educator and women’s rights activist leads the People’s Party and has positioned herself as a unity candidate.
“My first hundred days will focus on youth employment and passport accessibility,” Banda promised, addressing Malawi’s chronic unemployment affecting 60% of youth according to recent labor surveys. Her controversial “motorcycle empowerment” proposal would provide vehicles to unemployed youth for transportation businesses.
The election occurs during Malawi’s worst economic crisis in two decades:
- Inflation reached 27.1% in June 2025 (National Statistical Office)
- Foreign reserves cover less than 1 month of imports (Reserve Bank of Malawi)
- 72% live below $2.15/day poverty line (World Bank 2024)
- Maize prices have tripled since 2020 (Ministry of Agriculture)
The economic turmoil has sparked regular protests, including violent June demonstrations in Lilongwe where police used tear gas against crowds demanding electoral reforms. Government spokesperson Moses Kunkuyu defended security forces’ actions as “proportionate.”
The Malawi Electoral Commission reports 9.2 million registered voters for the single-round election, which uses a simple majority system. Key factors include:
1. **Incumbent advantage**: Chakwera retains control of state machinery and media
2. **Opposition fragmentation**: Four major candidates may split protest votes
3. **Youth vote**: 55% of voters under 35, a demographic particularly affected by unemployment
4. **Rural focus**: 85% of Malawians live in rural areas where development issues dominate
Political analyst Jessie Kabwila notes: “This election will turn on economic messaging rather than personality contests. The candidate who convinces voters they can stabilize prices and create jobs will prevail.”
The African Union has pledged 50 election observers, while the European Union committed €5 million in electoral support. Neighboring Zambia and Tanzania watch closely, as Malawi’s stability affects regional trade routes.
- Malawi National Statistical Office. Monthly Economic Bulletin — July 2025, July 15, 2025
- World Bank. Malawi Poverty Assessment — June 2024, June 30, 2024
- BBC Africa. Malawi Election Preview — August 3, 2025, August 3, 2025
- Voice of America. Opposition Challenges Incumbent — August 3, 2025, August 3, 2025
- Malawi Electoral Commission. Electoral Preparations Update — July 2025, July 28, 2025
