Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has been sworn in as Malawi's seventh President, marking a significant return to power for the 85-year-old leader. His inauguration, held at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, saw thousands of his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) supporters, regional dignitaries, and political leaders gather to witness the historic event. Mutharika secured a decisive victory in the recent September 16 vote, garnering 56.8 percent, against incumbent Lazarus Chakwera's 33 percent, reflecting widespread public anger over soaring living costs and economic turbulence in the southern African nation.

During the ceremony, Chief Justice Rizine Mzikamanda administered the oath of office, followed by a 21-gun salute and a ceremonial parade, symbolizing the start of a new political chapter for Malawi. The event was themed "The Great Return to Proven Leadership," underscoring Mutharika’s campaign message of stability and experience. In his inaugural address, the Yale-trained law professor made a resolute pledge to tackle endemic corruption and revive Malawi's struggling economy. "From today onwards, corruption is gone. If I find you looting the government as a government official, I will deal with you," he declared to enthusiastic applause, emphasizing a renewed approach to governance.

Malawi, one of the world's poorest countries with nearly three-quarters of its 21 million citizens living on less than $3 a day, has been grappling with severe economic hardships. These include inflation exceeding 30 percent, alongside acute fuel and forex shortages, exacerbated by natural disasters like a cyclone and regional drought linked to climate change. The nation has also been rocked by multi-million dollar corruption scandals, eroding public trust and placing it 107th out of 180 countries on Transparency International's corruption index. Mutharika's previous tenure, from 2014 to 2020, saw inflation brought down to single digits, a key point highlighted by his supporters.

The political landscape surrounding Mutharika's return is complex. His 2019 victory over Lazarus Chakwera was nullified by the Constitutional Court on tampering charges, leading to a rerun in 2020 which Chakwera won. Notably, former President Chakwera was absent from Saturday’s swearing-in ceremony despite having conceded defeat. The Malawi Congress Party, Chakwera's party, stated he had graciously offered to attend and perform a symbolic handover but was removed from the program at the last minute, highlighting the lingering bitterness in Malawi's post-election transition.

The inauguration drew considerable regional attention, with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo, and Tanzania’s Prime Minister among the high-profile guests. Delegations from Kenya, Namibia, and Zambia also attended, signaling that Malawi’s political developments are closely watched across the continent. For Malawians, the stakes are exceptionally high, with hopes that Mutharika's return will bring much-needed economic stability after years of turbulence, while observers await his policy direction to rebuild trust in democratic institutions.