Arthur Peter Mutharika (APM) has returned to State House, five years after voters removed him from power.
On achieving this feat, APM becomes the only politician in Malawi’s democratic era to win the presidency twice as an opposition candidate.
The peaceful transition of power that followed shows the resilience of Malawi’s democracy and the voters’ willingness to grant a second chance.
In a region where incumbents often cling tightly to power, Mutharika’s re-emergence shows the dynamism of Malawi’s political culture and the maturity of its voters. Yet history reminds us that winning an election is only the beginning. Governing well — and leaving behind a legacy of integrity, unity, and progress — is the harder test.
Mutharika’s first-term, from 2014 to 2020, began with optimism but ended in disillusionment. While many hoped for stability and growth, the administration was marred by corruption scandals, allegations of nepotism, and a perception that it had drifted away from the concerns of ordinary citizens.
Public trust in institutions weakened, civic space narrowed, and accountability promises faded. These shortcomings contributed directly to his defeat in the court-sanctioned 2020 presidential election, which brought the Tonse Alliance into office.
For many Malawians, that moment symbolised the power of democracy to hold leaders accountable. It also underlined the danger of failing to deliver on promises of reform. Yet, as the 2025 campaign revealed, political memory is complex. Citizens remembered Mutharika’s flaws but weighed them against the frustrations of recent years—including spiralling inflation, shortages of essential goods, and fiscal mismanagement that eroded household livelihoods.
Now, five years later, Malawians have chosen to bring him back. They have not done so blindly. Their decision reflects a mixture of disillusionment with the outgoing government and a cautious hope that Mutharika, older and perhaps wiser, can lead differently this time.
Winning the presidency again cannot mean a return to old habits. Malawians are watching closely, and expectations are high. Four urgent priorities stand out.
No single issue has corroded public trust more than corruption. If Mutharika is to secure a meaningful legacy, his administration must strengthen accountability mechanisms, empower anti-corruption institutions, and prove that justice applies equally to all — in government or opposition. A presidency that tolerates graft risks losing legitimacy before its term is even halfway through.
Partisanship has long divided Malawian politics, paralysing decision-making and fuelling mistrust. This new chapter demands broader inclusivity: fair appointments, dialogue across party lines, and genuine engagement with civil society. A president for all Malawians, not just party loyalists, can begin to rebuild national unity. Symbols of inclusion—such as balanced regional representation in government—matter deeply in a country with a history of political fragmentation.
Nearly two-thirds of Malawians are under 25, and they are unwilling to remain bystanders. They demand jobs, opportunities, and recognition of their energy and creativity. Investment in education, entrepreneurship, and skills development will not only empower young people but also drive the broader economic transformation the country urgently needs. Policies that ignore youth aspirations will inevitably fuel discontent, while those that harness their dynamism could reshape the nation’s prospects.
The very institutions that enabled Mutharika’s return — an independent judiciary, an empowered Parliament, and a vibrant press — must be protected, not undermined. Respecting these pillars of democracy will strengthen governance and set an example for future leaders. A presidency that embraces oversight rather than resents it can set Malawi on a new democratic path.
In granting Mutharika a second chance, Malawians have extended grace where disillusionment once prevailed. Yet this grace is conditional. It is a test of whether he can rise above past shortcomings and deliver the humility, integrity, and reform that citizens now demand. Failure to do so will confirm the sceptics’ fears that history only repeats itself.
