President Peter Mutharika says his contract with Malawians is for five years and has asked those eyeing the presidency to wait until 2030 when he will hand over power.
The President, speaking in a video shared by State House Press Office yesterday, expressed the sentiments at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe before departing for his fourth private visit to South Africa since returning to State House after his triumph in the September 16 2025 General Election.
Said Mutharika in the video: “I agreed to run for elections and I promised Malawians that I will serve for five years. I am going to serve for five years until 2030 and those who cannot wait should wait until 2030 when there will be a competition and I hope to handover the government then to another member of the Democratic Progressive Party [DPP].”
Chief Secretary to the Government Justin Saidi confirmed in a statement yesterday that Mutharika would leave for South Africa on a private visit, but did not indicate when he would return.
In the video, Mutharika did not elaborate who he was referring to or the nature of the “talk” he referred to.
But his remarks come amid reports of divisions within his governing DPP amid alleged deepening mistrust between him and First Vice-President Jane Ansah.
Our sister newspaper Weekend Nation reported on Saturday that tensions have emerged between the duo with some alleging that Ansah is positioning herself for the presidency.
Insiders also say her poor communication with the President, which started during her controversial trip to the United Kingdom in December, has contributed to the breakdown of trust.
However, Ansah has publicly distanced herself from claims that she is undermining the President’s authority. She has also maintained that she is carrying out her constitutional mandate as Vice-President.
University of Malawi lecturer in party politics, elections and governance Gift Sambo said the President’s message suggests that he is cautious of the inevitability of competing factions in the DPP as his tenure of office expires in 2030.
“The message is targeting prominent members of the Cabinet, especially those in the party executive. However, it won’t be easy for the President to tame such ambitions. It is a delicate situation,” he said.
Meanwhile, Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency executive director Willy Kambwandira said although the trips are described as private, the President occupies a public office funded by taxpayers and should, therefore, be more accountable.
