Lilongwe, Malawi – September 24, 2025

Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera has officially conceded defeat in the country’s recent presidential election, bringing his five-year tenure to a close and paving the way for the return of former leader Peter Mutharika.

Chakwera, who came to power in 2020 after defeating Mutharika in a historic court-ordered rerun election, acknowledged the will of Malawians in a concession statement delivered on Tuesday evening. He confirmed that he had personally called Mutharika to congratulate him on his victory.

“I respect the decision of the people of Malawi. Democracy demands that we listen to the voices of citizens, and I have done exactly that,” Chakwera said.

Preliminary tallies showed Mutharika with a commanding lead of over 66% of the vote, a margin that analysts say reflected widespread dissatisfaction with Chakwera’s administration over economic hardships, inflation, and fuel shortages.

Mutharika, who previously served as Malawi’s president from 2014 to 2020, will now return to the State House after a five-year absence. His supporters celebrated in the streets of Blantyre and Lilongwe, waving party flags and chanting slogans of victory.

The peaceful transition marks a significant moment for Malawi’s young democracy, which has seen two changes of power in just five years. International observers commended both Chakwera and Mutharika for their statesmanship, noting that Chakwera’s concession helped avert potential political tensions.

Mutharika is expected to be sworn in later this week as Malawi’s new president. His administration faces an uphill task of reviving the country’s struggling economy, addressing food insecurity, and restoring public trust in government institutions.

As Malawians prepare for a new political chapter, Chakwera bows out with a message of unity: “Leadership is temporary, but Malawi is eternal. I will continue to serve my nation in whatever way I can.”