This archive report was first published on 28 June 2020.
On Sunday, June 28, 2020, Malawi's new president Lazarus Chakwera was sworn in for a five-year term, marking a significant shift in the country's leadership.
Chakwera, 65, secured 58.57% of the vote in the re-run election, a dramatic reversal of the original election result in May 2019, which was later overturned by the courts.
Chakwera's win brings an end to 26 years of opposition for the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), the country's founding party.
“To stand before you as president today is an honour. It’s an honour that fills with unspeakable joy and immense gratitude,” Chakwera said in his acceptance speech.
Chakwera's victory has been hailed as a test of African courts' ability to tackle ballot fraud and restrain presidential power.
His win also comes as a relief to critics who accused former President Peter Mutharika of doing little to tackle corruption.
“Curbing corruption is crucial now more than ever,” said Lauryn Nyasulu, president of the Economics Association of Malawi.
“The government needs to seal all loopholes and use whatever resources available in efforts to rebuild the economy and safeguard the welfare of those that have been heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
