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Malawi Votes Amid Deepening Economic Crisis

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By Ndiho Media and Lameck Masina in Blantyre

Malawians went to the polls yesterday in a crucial general election that many believe is about more than just politics—it’s about survival. With inflation rising, food prices soaring, and fuel shortages becoming the norm, voters are seeking more than just promises; they want real solutions.
“This election is different,” said Lameck Masina, a freelance journalist based in Blantyre. “People aren’t voting for personalities. They are voting based on issues, especially the economy. It’s about who can really turn things around.”
At the heart of this political showdown are two familiar rivals: incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera and former President Peter Mutharika. Both men have led the country in the past, and both now claim they can fix the economy.
President Chakwera, who took office in 2020 after a historic court-ordered rerun, is seeking a second term under the Malawi Congress Party banner. He has touted infrastructure projects and reform efforts, but critics point to a worsening economic situation under his leadership.


His challenger, Peter Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party, served from 2014 to 2020. His tenure, although also marked by economic woes, is remembered by some as more stable in terms of financial management. Mutharika is now seeking a political comeback, banking on public frustration with the current administration.
Masina described the contest as “a rematch,” adding, “It’s like people are choosing between three paths: go back to the old system, stick with the current one, or try something completely new.”
Indeed, the ballot features 17 presidential candidates, including another former president, Joyce Banda. But despite the crowded field, the race is centered on Chakwera and Mutharika.
For voters, the stakes couldn’t be higher. “Some people were literally coming from fuel queues to join voting lines,” Masina reported. “It’s queue to queue—fuel to ballot. That’s how deep the crisis runs.”
Malawi’s economy has been hit hard by a combination of global shocks and domestic mismanagement. COVID-19, the war in Ukraine, and extreme weather events have all contributed to the situation. But voters aren’t letting leaders off the hook.
“Yes, the president admits global issues have affected Malawi,” said Masina. “But people are saying, ‘We need local solutions, and we’re not seeing them.'”
Corruption is another primary concern. Chakwera once earned praise for appointing an anti-corruption czar known as the “Iron Lady,” but her efforts were reportedly stifled. “When you fight corruption in Malawi, it fights back,” said Masina. “That’s what happened to her.”
Logistical problems at polling stations were minimal but not absent. Some voter verification machines malfunctioned, forcing election officials to revert to manual methods, slowing down the process.
With no clear frontrunner expected to clinch more than 50% of the vote, a runoff seems likely. The Malawi Electoral Commission has eight days to announce official results, but partial returns may begin to emerge within 48 hours.
Regardless of the outcome, Malawians are hoping for more than political change—they’re hoping for economic relief.
“People are tired,” Masina emphasized. “They’ve tried hope before. Now, they want results.”

Ivory Coast’s Ouattara to Run for Fourth Term

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By Ndiho Media/ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire

Ivory Coast’s political landscape has been thrown into fresh turmoil following President Alassane Ouattara’s announcement that he will run for a controversial fourth term in October’s presidential election. At 83, Ouattara says the move is aimed at preserving national stability — but critics argue it’s a dangerous consolidation of power that risks plunging the country into renewed chaos.

“For him to run again, we were not surprised. There were signs,” said Dr. Gnaka Lagoke, Associate Professor of History, Philosophy, and Religion at Lincoln University, in an exclusive interview with Different Perspectives. “Yes, the 2016 constitution made some amendments — but it’s a political smokescreen. It’s not legally justified.”

Ouattara’s 2020 re-election already stirred controversy, as he reversed his earlier pledge to step down. Now, with key opposition figures — including former President Laurent Gbagbo, Guillaume Soro, and Tidjane Thiam — barred from running, the field is effectively being cleared for a one-person race.

“How do you justify excluding all your major opponents?” Lagoke asked. “They’re using the institutions of the state to sideline any real competition. This isn’t democracy — it’s political engineering.”

Lagoke warns that such tactics could stir unrest reminiscent of the 2010–2011 post-election violence that killed over 3,000 people. “Ivory Coast never had true reconciliation after that conflict. Many voices were silenced, some were imprisoned, others died in exile.”

When asked about the credibility of this year’s election, he didn’t hold back: “It’s like playing football on a tilted field where one team has their hands tied behind their backs and the referee works for the other side. That’s not a fair game.”

While the Ouattara government touts economic growth and infrastructure development, Lagoke calls it a mirage of prosperity. “Yes, there are nice roads and bridges. But who owns them? Multinational companies. Meanwhile, the people still import rice and basic goods. That’s not sovereignty. That’s dependency dressed up as development.”

Lagoke says many Ivorians feel powerless. “At least 50% of the population is against this move, but with major opposition candidates disqualified and protests banned, what democratic options are left? Even people within his own party are uneasy.”

Civil society and religious groups have raised concerns over growing political polarization. Yet institutions like ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations have remained largely silent.

“These bodies rush to condemn military coups but go mute when democracy is dismantled through legal trickery,” Lagoke said. “What’s happening in Ivory Coast is a constitutional coup, and it’s not unique. We’ve seen similar attempts in Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, and elsewhere.”

He added, “Ivory Coast is just one example of a broader crisis of leadership across Africa. Many Africans want change, accountability, and Pan-Africanism — not leaders who serve foreign interests while silencing their own people.”

As the October vote looms, the stakes are high. “Ouattara may believe he’s securing stability,” Lagoke concluded, “but silencing dissent, jailing opponents, and suppressing protests — that’s not peace. That’s fear. And fear doesn’t last.”