Malawi’s President Peter Mutharika was sworn in on Saturday for a second term in office, pledging to root out government corruption and revive the nation’s struggling economy.
Mutharika, 85, secured more than 56 per cent of the votes in last month’s election, defeating outgoing president Lazarus Chakwera, who polled 33 per cent. It was the fourth time the two leaders had faced each other at the polls.
Taking the oath of office before a large crowd at a stadium in Blantyre, the country’s commercial capital, Mutharika promised a new era of accountability and reform.
“Malawi is facing acute food shortages, cost-of-living pressures, and a lack of foreign exchange that has crippled businesses and led to persistent fuel shortages,” he said in his inaugural address. “There is no money in government. Borrowing is extremely high, and nobody knows where the borrowed money has gone.”
He pledged to rebuild the economy through discipline and transparency, saying, “We will fix this country. I don’t promise you milk and honey. I promise you hard work, tough and painful decisions. The honeymoon of looting government is over.”
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Mutharika also called on the international community for support and investment, revealing plans to send a delegation to the United States to meet President Donald Trump following cuts in U.S. foreign aid.
“I want to assure our partners that Malawi is open for business,” he said. “We welcome collaboration that will help us create jobs, boost exports, and rebuild confidence in our economy.”
The ceremony drew thousands of supporters dressed in the blue and white colours of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, as well as African leaders and senior officials.
In a statement, Chakwera’s Malawi Congress Party congratulated Mutharika, wishing him “success and good health” in his new term despite the outgoing president’s absence from the inauguration.
