Malawi’s former president, Peter Mutharika, is making a remarkable political comeback as the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has chosen him to be their candidate in next year’s presidential election.
The 84-year-old, who led Malawi from 2014 to 2020, had previously hinted at stepping away from politics but recently reversed course, citing the need to rescue the nation from what he calls the mismanagement of President Lazarus Chakwera’s administration.
Mutharika’s return to the political arena comes after a tumultuous period for the DPP, which saw internal divisions and the expulsion of members who challenged his leadership. Despite these challenges, the party officially endorsed him as their candidate on Monday, cementing his unopposed return as party leader.
This sets the stage for a third electoral showdown between Mutharika and Chakwera, with each having secured a victory against the other in past elections. Mutharika, who lost to Chakwera in the 2020 re-run election—held after the Constitutional Court annulled the controversial 2019 results—has vowed to reclaim power and address what he describes as an “incompetent government.”
While Mutharika remains popular within his party, critics argue that the DPP should have chosen a younger, more dynamic candidate to lead the charge in 2025. President Chakwera, 15 years Mutharika’s junior, will campaign on his administration’s record, which, despite facing setbacks from COVID-19, natural disasters, and global economic challenges, has seen notable achievements such as the reintroduction of train services after three decades and significant infrastructure projects.
As Malawi gears up for the 2025 elections, the DPP and the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) are preparing for what promises to be a fiercely contested battle, with age and experience likely to be pivotal issues on the campaign trail.
