Africa-Press – Eswatini. Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini has represented His Majesty King Mswati III and the Kingdom of Eswatini at the inauguration of Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika as Malawi’s seventh President, held at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Saturday, 4 October 2025.
The ceremony drew thousands of Malawians and several regional leaders. The Chief Justice of Malawi, Rizine Mzikamanda, administered the presidential oath, while Jane Ansah was sworn in as Vice President (TRT Afrika, 4 October 2025).
Prime Minister Dlamini had the opportunity to personally greet President Mutharika and convey Eswatini’s message of goodwill and solidarity. The Prime Minister is expected back in the country on Sunday, 5 October 2025, where he will brief His Majesty and Cabinet on his mission.
How Mutharika Returned to Power
Mutharika’s return to the presidency follows his decisive victory in Malawi’s 16 September 2025 general election, where he secured 56.8% of the national vote, defeating incumbent Lazarus Chakwera, who obtained approximately 33% (Reuters, Al Jazeera).
Chakwera conceded defeat in a nationally televised address prior to the formal announcement, admitting an “insurmountable lead” for Mutharika (ABC News, Al Jazeera).
This victory marks Mutharika’s political comeback. He had previously served as President from 31 May 2014 until 26 June 2020, before a court-ordered election rerun resulted in his defeat to Chakwera (Office of the President and Cabinet, Malawi; AP News; Simple Wikipedia).
What Mutharika Pledged
In his inaugural address, President Mutharika acknowledged the economic challenges facing Malawi—ranging from food shortages and high inflation to limited foreign reserves and unsustainable debt levels (Reuters, Al Jazeera).
“I do not promise you milk and honey. I promise you hard work, tough and painful decisions,” Mutharika said, pledging to restore fiscal discipline, combat corruption, and rebuild public trust (Reuters, 4 Oct 2025).
He also vowed to strengthen Malawi’s engagement with international investors and development partners, seeking to rebuild confidence in the country’s economy (AP News).
Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Force
Under the Constitution of Malawi (Section 161), the President serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Malawi Defence Force, granting him supreme authority over the nation’s armed forces. This is the standard practice in many countries here in Africa and elsewhere.
Eswatini’s Role in Regional Diplomacy
Prime Minister Dlamini’s participation on behalf of His Majesty King Mswati III reflects Eswatini’s commitment to regional cooperation and peaceful governance across the Southern African region.
His attendance at the inauguration symbolised Eswatini’s continued support for democratic processes and strengthened diplomatic ties with Malawi and the broader Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
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