Two Former Malawi Presidents Launch Bids to Oust Incumbent Ahead of September Election

Two former presidents of Malawi officially launched their respective campaigns on Sunday to challenge incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera in the forthcoming general elections, scheduled for 16 September 2025.

Amid a backdrop of severe economic distress and soaring inflation, the race is heating up as political heavyweights vie for leadership in a nation where nearly 75% of its 21 million citizens live in extreme poverty, according to the World Bank.

Presidential Contenders

Peter Mutharika: Return of the Opposition Strongman

Former President Peter Mutharika, a law professor by background, addressed a massive rally in Blantyre, Malawi’s second-largest city. Mutharika, who was ousted from office in 2020 after a court-overturned election, criticised Chakwera’s leadership, saying:

“Today, Malawi is under oppression — hunger, poverty, and fear of the very government meant to protect us. We should respect government, not fear it.”

• Mutharika pledged to “rescue the country” from what he labelled a state of economic collapse and political repression.
• He heads the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and remains a central figure in Malawian politics.

Joyce Banda: Pledge to Empower the Youth

In the town of Ntcheu, former President Joyce Banda launched her own campaign, highlighting issues of youth empowerment and job creation.

• Malawi’s first female president, Banda took office in 2012 after the sudden death of President Bingu wa Mutharika.
• She left office in 2014 after electoral defeat and a major corruption scandal dubbed “Cashgate,” which forced her into four years of self-imposed exile.
• Banda now aims to make a comeback, promising:
  • Resolution of the passport issuance crisis
  • Creation of youth employment opportunities through programmes like motorbike provision for financial self-sufficiency.

“If elected, my first task will be to fix the passport crisis so our youth can seek employment abroad,” Banda told her supporters.

Rising Tensions and Electoral Uncertainty

• Tensions have increased in recent months, particularly following a June protest calling for an independent audit of the electoral roll and the resignation of top election officials accused of fraud.
• Protesters were reportedly attacked by unidentified men, prompting accusations from the opposition that ruling party loyalists were responsible — a claim the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) denies.

Economic Crisis at the Heart of the Race

The worsening economic conditions — the worst Malawi has seen in decades — are expected to be the dominant issue in the electoral debate. Public frustration has sparked nationwide protests, making this one of the most contested and consequential elections in recent Malawian history.

With other figures, including Vice President Saulos Chilima, also entering the race, the 2025 general election promises to be a high-stakes battle for Malawi’s political and economic future.