President Lazarus Chakwera’s concession in Malawi’s 2025 general elections to former President Arthur Peter Mutharika signifies a profound verdict on leadership, public trust, and the weight of unfulfilled expectations. This electoral shift, closely watched across Africa, represents not merely a change in power but a referendum on broken promises, fractured alliances, and widespread economic hardship felt in every Malawian household. On September 16, 2025, Malawians queued to cast their ballots, leading to a decisive victory for Mutharika.

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) confirmed Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) secured an insurmountable lead, ultimately garnering 2,954,553 votes (71.2%). Chakwera, representing the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), received 990,872 votes (23.9%), while Dalitso Kabambe of the United Transformation Movement (UTM) trailed with 204,271 votes (4.9%). In a nationally televised address from Kamuzu Palace, Chakwera formally conceded defeat, acknowledging the citizens’ will and pledging a smooth, peaceful transfer of power to Mutharika, whom he personally congratulated on his “historic victory.” This marks Malawi’s second peaceful democratic transfer of power in five years.

Several critical factors contributed to Chakwera’s defeat. Foremost among these was the deterioration of his alliance with Vice President Saulos Chilima, once a charismatic pillar of the Alliance for Change. Chilima’s tragic death in a plane crash weeks before the vote, though not officially linked to foul play, fueled public suspicion and grief, eroding confidence in the incumbent’s moral authority. After his demise, Chilima’s United Transformation Movement (UTM) lost its spark, and his successor failed to connect with grassroots concerns, leading to a significant loss of northern swing votes and urban youth support.

Persistent economic hardships plagued Chakwera’s administration. For three consecutive years, Malawians endured inflation above 20%, chronic fuel shortages, and a deepening cost-of-living crisis. While Cyclone Freddy in 2023 exacerbated the situation, the government's sluggish response to hunger, forex scarcity, and agricultural decline had already alienated the electorate. The economy became the most potent campaign message, needing no messenger as its impact was felt acutely in every home.

Compounding these issues were mounting accusations of corruption, nepotism, and misuse of public resources within Chakwera’s administration. Even loyalists within the MCP criticized the leadership for taking citizens for granted and failing to uphold transparency. The perception of a government more concerned with consolidating power than serving the people proved politically fatal. Furthermore, electoral missteps and apparent overconfidence undermined public trust. The MCP’s attempt to block the announcement of election results through court injunctions was widely seen as an act of desperation. The High Court’s dismissal of their injunction, allowing results to be released, eroded the party’s credibility and reinforced the narrative of leadership out of touch with democratic norms.

Chakwera, who served as Malawi’s sixth president since 2020 and previously lost to Mutharika in 2014, then won a re-run in 2020 after the 2019 election results were annulled, thanked voters for maintaining peace. He instructed his administration to prepare state residences for the incoming president and commended MEC chair Justice Annabel Mtalimanja for overseeing a transparent election. While accepting the outcome, Chakwera highlighted the need for accountability regarding irregularities flagged by political parties and the MEC, urging the commission to provide a “full and transparent account” of any electoral violations.

The outcome offers crucial lessons for leaders across Southern and Eastern Africa, including Presidents William Ruto (Kenya), Duma Gideon Boko (Botswana), and Hakainde Hichilema (Zambia). These lessons underscore the fragility of alliances built on convenience, the imperative to prioritize economic justice over political optics, and the necessity of respecting democratic institutions. Attempts to manipulate electoral processes or silence dissent inevitably erode legitimacy. Leaders are also cautioned against personality cults and power consolidation, emphasizing the importance of distributed leadership and institutional resilience. Finally, the Malawian election serves as a reminder for leaders to stay close to the people, remaining accessible, responsive, and humble, especially in times of crisis. President Chakwera’s fall, though not inevitable, is instructive, reinforcing that leadership demands sustaining trust, delivering justice, and walking humbly with the people, for power is lent, not owned, and voters are increasingly demanding delivery over slogans.