Malawi cannot afford another leadership experiment like Chakwera

Malawi Freedom Network
September 13, 2026
Estimated read time 4 min read
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opinion | by Suleman Chitera

Malawi cannot afford another leadership experiment.

The country has already paid a heavy price for poor governance, political promises that failed to translate into meaningful change, and decisions that, in the eyes of many Malawians, left the economy in a deeply weakened position.

For many citizens, the five-year administration of former President Lazarus Chakwera and the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) represents one of the most difficult chapters in Malawi’s recent political history.

The frustration is real. The economic pain is real. And the question now is whether Malawi is prepared to make the same mistake again.

FIVE YEARS OF DAMAGE CANNOT BE UNDONE OVERNIGHT

What happened during Chakwera’s five years in government should not simply be forgotten when the political season changes.

The cost of economic deterioration is paid by ordinary families.

It is paid by parents struggling to feed their children.

It is paid by young people searching endlessly for employment.

It is paid by businesses battling rising costs.

It is paid by farmers facing expensive inputs.

And it is paid by every Malawian whose purchasing power has been squeezed by economic hardship.

That is why some Malawians now argue that what was messed up in five years could take decades to repair.

The “50 years” argument should therefore be understood as a powerful expression of the scale of the damage that critics believe was done—not as a literal economic prediction.

MALAWI MUST NEVER VOTE BLINDLY AGAIN

The lesson must be simple.

Never again should Malawians hand over the country’s future merely because of political excitement, attractive promises or party loyalty.

Before voting for any presidential candidate, Malawians must ask:

Can this person actually govern?

Can they manage the economy?

Can they attract investment?

Can they create employment?

Can they protect public resources?

Can they make government institutions function?

Can they deliver development beyond campaign speeches?

These are not unreasonable questions.

They are questions that every serious voter should ask.

NOW THE JOB IS TO REBUILD

Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has inherited a country facing enormous challenges.

The responsibility before his administration is therefore much bigger than winning an election.

It is about rebuilding confidence.

It is about restoring economic stability.

It is about attracting investment.

It is about creating opportunities for young Malawians.

It is about strengthening public institutions.

And, most importantly, it is about giving ordinary Malawians a reason to believe that their country can move forward again.

Mutharika cannot simply tell Malawians that the previous government failed.

He must demonstrate that his government can do better.

That is the standard the people deserve.

THE NEXT ELECTION MUST BE ABOUT COMPETENCE

Malawi cannot continue changing governments without demanding measurable results.

Political parties come and go.

Presidents come and go.

But Malawi remains.

And it is ordinary Malawians who live with the consequences of every government decision.

Therefore, the next political choices must be made with greater seriousness.

No more experiments with the national economy.

No more empty promises.

No more choosing leaders simply because of party colours.

Malawi needs leadership with experience, economic understanding, discipline, accountability and the ability to deliver.

CHAKWERA SHOULD REMAIN A LESSON, NOT A BLUEPRINT

Whether one supported Chakwera or opposed him, his administration should provide Malawi with important lessons about the consequences of political leadership.

The country cannot afford to repeat mistakes simply because political memories are short.

The responsibility now belongs to Malawians themselves.

We must remember. We must question. We must scrutinise. And we must vote wisely.

Malawi is too important to be treated as a political experiment.

Its economy is too fragile.

Its people have suffered too much.

Its young generation cannot afford another lost opportunity.

MALAWI NEEDS A RESET

The country now needs a serious national reset.

A reset in economic management.

A reset in accountability.

A reset in public service delivery.

A reset in investor confidence.

A reset in the way Malawians choose their leaders.

Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has an opportunity to prove that Malawi can recover.

But the government must remember one thing:

Malawians are not asking for miracles. They are asking for results.

The time for political excuses must end.

The time for serious governance must begin.

MALAWI MUST NEVER FORGET THE PRICE OF BAD LEADERSHIP

Five years can change the direction of a country.

But rebuilding a damaged economy can take far longer.

That is why Malawians must never again vote without asking whether the person seeking power has the competence, experience and vision required to govern a nation.

Malawi cannot afford another Chakwera-style leadership experiment.

The country needs leaders who can build—not leaders who leave the next generation with the bill for today’s mistakes.

Malawi has already lost enough time. The next chapter must be about rebuilding, restoring and moving forward.

— Malawi Freedom Network (MFN)