As President Peter Mutharika takes oath of office today, political and governance experts have hailed outgoing President Lazarus Chakwera as a true and committed democrat.
They pointed to how the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) leader has conducted himself from the moment he conceded defeat after the September 16 General Election to the handover of power today.
In separate interviews yesterday, the experts said Chakwera’s decision to attend the swearing-in ceremony would ease tensions and demonstrate that democracy need not be about “fighting and unending contestation”.
University of Malawi associate professor of political science Boniface Dulani said Chakwera’s concession lowered temperatures and made the results “acceptable and uncontentious” to his supporters.
“I strongly believe that by adopting a calm and statesman demeanour, Chakwera is helping to make the swearing-in of his successor more of a national event than what we have seen before,” said Dulani.
No outgoing president has ever attended a swearing-in or an inauguration of incoming president since 2004 when Bakili Muluzi handed power to his anointed successor the late Bingu wa Mutharika who own on a UDF ticket.
“But then that was succession within the same party, which made it easier. This time, Chakwera’s presence is unprecedented,” Dulani observed.
While expressing hope that future leaders would emulate the spirit, Dulani noted Chakwera’s absence would have reduced the event to a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) affair than a national event.
“In many ways, Chakwera’s decisions now can help to salvage some of his tattered legacy and define him as a true and committed democrat.
“We are one Malawi, regardless of who wins power. Even the incoming president should learn from this example,” he said.
“Perhaps when all is said and done, we should not be surprised that LMC [Chakwera] has been gracious in his loss. As president, he also tried several times to reach out to his predecessors, including visiting APM [Mutharika] in Mangochi once if I recall,” Dulani added.
Political Science Association of Malawi (PSA) spokesperson Mavuto Bamusi said Chakwera’s conduct was vital for consolidating democracy through smooth transition and peaceful transfer of power.
He said Chakwera’s actions had signalled MCP supporters to maintain peace and support the new administration.
“The actions are essential for unity and nation building, since this sends a loud message that time for electoral politics is over, and that we must hold hands to advance the development agenda. These actions will likely see Chakwera leaving the mark and legacy of a leader who supported a peaceful transition in Africa,” said Bamusi.
Another political scientist Ernest Thindwa described Chakwera’s conduct as exceptional, noting it contained party hardliners who might otherwise have engaged in undemocratic acts.
“The conduct, if consistently replicated by incumbents, should go a long way in consolidating democratic gains. Losing presidents will find it hard to ignore standards set by Chakwera,” he observed.
Thindwa said elections were always emotive processes with potential to divide society; as such, the conduct of Chakwera should be applauded for contributing significantly towards preservation of national unity.
“One can only hope the victorious party and followers will, in equal measure, demonstrate maturity by according Chakwera the dignity he deserves especially during installation of the new administration,” said Thindwa.
On his part, political and governance analyst George Chaima said Chakwera had introduced a new political culture and his pledge to attend the swearing-in was a patriotic message and a pacesetter for African leaders.
“Peaceful and honourable concession of defeat is so majestic and quite rare in Africa,” he observed.
“We have to pay tribute to Dr Chakwera as a nation in recognition of his statesmanship. It is, therefore, important that African leaders should take a leaf from Chakwera’s exemplary democratic leadership which has fully been shown at the end of his five-year term,” said Chaima.
Chakwera, who entered active politics in 2013, took over government in 2020 following the Constitutional Court-ordered fresh elections.
