Malawi’s former president, Peter Mutharika, has been reappointed to lead the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in the upcoming presidential election. The 84-year-old Mutharika’s return to political prominence comes after his previous administration and a contentious political climate marked by internal party disputes and legal challenges.
Mutharika, who governed Malawi from 2014 to 2020, will now face off against the incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera in the 2025 presidential race. His return to leadership follows a period of significant internal conflict within the DPP, including the expulsion of members who opposed his reappointment.
The decision for Mutharika to lead the DPP again is seen as a dramatic shift from his earlier statements suggesting he would not seek office again. Mutharika’s change of heart is attributed to his belief that his leadership is needed to rectify what he perceives as failures of the current administration under President Chakwera. He has criticized Chakwera’s government, describing it as “incompetent” and pledging to restore effective governance if elected.
In the 2020 presidential election, Mutharika lost to Chakwera in a re-run ordered by Malawi’s Constitutional Court, which had annulled the results of the 2019 election due to widespread irregularities, including vote tampering. The court’s decision was widely praised for upholding electoral integrity and catalyzed significant political upheaval in Malawi.
Despite the DPP’s internal challenges, including a period of factionalism and leadership disputes, Mutharika’s endorsement as the party’s presidential candidate was a largely formal procedure following his party’s resolution of internal conflicts. This will set the stage for Mutharika and Chakwera to face off in the elections for the third time, with each having previously won and lost against the other.
Mutharika’s candidacy has sparked debate, particularly regarding his age and the viability of his return to office. Critics argue that the DPP should have considered a younger, more dynamic leader, pointing out that Chakwera, at 69, is significantly younger than Mutharika.
Chakwera’s administration has faced criticism for not fully delivering on campaign promises made during his 2020 campaign. While the government acknowledges challenges such as the impact of COVID-19, natural disasters, and global economic instability, it has also highlighted achievements including the revival of train services in Malawi and ongoing major infrastructure projects.
As the election approaches, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) will likely use the age issue as a campaign point, questioning Mutharika’s capacity to lead effectively once more. The upcoming election will be a pivotal moment for Malawi’s political landscape, with both major parties preparing to defend their records and vie for voter support.
In other news – TikTok selects Tinashe’s ‘Nasty’ as song of the summer
Tinashe’s sultry track “Nasty” has claimed the title of the UK’s TikTok Song of the Summer, outpacing popular hits by Sabrina Carpenter and Billie Eilish. The track, which has become a viral sensation with its standout lyric “match my freak,” soundtrack over 10 million TikTok videos, illustrating its immense popularity on the platform.
Despite its viral success, “Nasty” has faced a less impressive performance on traditional music charts, peaking at number 66 in the UK and 61 in the US. This contrasts sharply with last year’s TikTok song of the summer, “Sprinter” by Dave and Central Cee, which not only dominated the charts but also achieved significant commercial success with 1.2 million copies sold and a 10-week stint at number one. Read More
