BLANTYRE, Malawi — Two former Malawian presidents—Peter Mutharika and Joyce Banda—have officially thrown their hats into the ring for the country’s upcoming general elections scheduled for September 16, setting the stage for a high-stakes contest against incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera.
The dual campaign launches come as Malawi grapples with a devastating economic crisis, soaring inflation, and widespread public frustration.
Nearly three-quarters of the nation’s 21 million citizens are living in extreme poverty, according to the World Bank.
Mutharika: “We Should Respect Government, Not Fear It”
In a fiery address to thousands of supporters in Blantyre on Sunday, 85-year-old Peter Mutharika—leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and president from 2014 to 2020—promised to rescue Malawi from what he called “oppression.”
“Today, Malawi is under oppression—hunger, poverty, and fear of the very government meant to protect us,” Mutharika declared. “We should respect government, not fear it.”
Mutharika’s re-election in 2019 was annulled by the courts due to voting irregularities, paving the way for Chakwera’s 2020 victory in a historic court-ordered rerun.
Tensions have continued to rise under Chakwera’s administration, with opposition leaders accusing the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) of suppressing dissent. In June, unidentified attackers reportedly targeted a protest calling for an independent audit of the voter register and the resignation of top electoral officials over fraud claims—allegations the ruling party has denied.
Joyce Banda: A Comeback with Youth-Focused Promises
Meanwhile, former President Joyce Banda, 74, launched her bid in Ntcheu, promising to prioritize youth empowerment and job creation if elected.
“If elected, my first task will be to fix the passport crisis, so our youth can seek employment abroad,” said Banda. “I’ll also provide motorcycles to unemployed youth to promote financial independence.”
Banda became Malawi’s first female president in 2012 after the sudden death of President Bingu wa Mutharika, but her administration was marred by the infamous Cashgate corruption scandal. She lost the 2014 election and later spent four years in self-imposed exile before returning to Malawi.
The Road Ahead: A Crowded Field and Rising Discontent
The race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in Malawi’s recent history. At least two other candidates—including current Vice President Saulos Chilima—have also declared their intent to run against Chakwera, 70, who secured 58% of the vote in the 2020 rerun.
Public discontent has mounted this year as inflation continues to climb. In June 2025, the national statistics office pegged year-on-year inflation at 27.1%, one of the highest rates in the region.
With growing unrest and economic uncertainty looming large, Malawians head to the polls in September not just to choose a leader—but to demand a new direction for the country.
