BLANTYRE, Malawi – Peter Mutharika took the oath of office as President of Malawi for a second term on Saturday in a vibrant ceremony that was full of optimism and gloominess, before then vowing to combat deep-rooted corruption and lead the country out of a severe economic crisis.
The 85-year-old leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) addressed a crowd of chanting supporters in the commercial capital Blantyre. Government ministers and other African heads of state were at the event, which was vastly different from the challenges that he had laid out in his inaugural address.
A Vote for Change Amid Economic Despair
Mutharika’s return to the presidency is a political volte-face. He scored a landslide victory in the September 16 poll, taking over 56% of the vote. His nearest rival, incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), mustered just 33%. The poll was the fourth direct presidential battle between the two veteran warhorses, but it was all about one, pressing issue: the economy.
During Chakwera’s five-year rule, Malawi, which is among the world’s least developed nations, saw its economic situation deteriorate drastically. Voters expressed their ire at the polls, replacing an opponent with an administration that hadn’t been able to curtail inflation, provide jobs, and shore up the currency.
Inheriting a Nation in Crisis
President Mutharika was not afraid to characterize the state of the country he will preside over for the next half-decade. “We are inheriting a nation in economic crisis,” he said, painting a dark landscape for what they are inheriting.
He presented a trifecta of key issues:
Severe Food Insecurity: There is widespread hunger among most Malawians through a combination of climate shocks and economic volatility.
Out-of-Control Cost of Living: galloping inflation has deprived citizens of purchasing power, making even staples beyond the reach of the average citizen.
Essential Foreign Exchange Shortages: an endemic shortage of US dollars has paralysed business, hindering imports and fueling the endemic fuel shortages that have become the hallmark of Malawian existence.
“We will repair this country,” Mutharika promised, adding a blunt critique of the government’s finances: “There is no cash in government. There is a lot of borrowing, and no one is aware of where the borrowed money went.”
A Promise of Austerity and Accountability
With a tone of gritty realism, the President promised a government of hard work and difficult decisions. “I don’t promise you milk and honey. I promise you hard work, tough and painful decisions,” he told the nation.
His most powerful promise was a direct attack on corruption that has hounded the country for decades. “The honeymoon of looting government is over!” he stated, signaling a new emphasis on accountability and transparent governance.
Reaching Out to the Global Community
In an attempt to realize that everything may not be left to the local efforts, President Mutharika went ahead and sought cooperation and investment from the international community. Untraditionally, he went ahead and directly approached former U.S. President Donald Trump with a pledge to send a delegation shortly to Washington. The action appears in an attempt to revive diplomatic relations and open up new sources of help, particularly after slashing American foreign aid.
In a gesture of political graciousness, the outgoing Malawi Congress Party published a message wishing Mutharika’s “success and good health,” even as the outgoing president did not attend the inauguration. With President Mutharika beginning this new tenure, hopes are high, and the road to economic recovery will be an uphill struggle.
