Outgoing President, Lazarus Chakwera Concedes Defeat

My fellow Malawians,

This morning I have spoken with Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika to congratulate him on his victory. I have offered him my full commitment to a peaceful transfer of power.

Today, I stand not as a candidate, but as your servant who has carried the privilege and burden of this office for one term. I am deeply grateful for the trust you placed in me, and I honor the will you have expressed at the ballot box.

I know these past years have not been easy. Too many families have struggled under the weight of rising prices. Too many of our citizens have felt the sting of a cost of living that tested their patience and their faith in government. I hear those frustrations, and I accept responsibility for the places where my administration fell short.

But I also know this: Malawi is stronger today because of the resilience of her people. In villages and cities, in schools and markets, Malawians have carried on with courage and hope. That spirit is what will carry this nation forward, no matter who leads it.

To President-elect Mutharika, I pledge my support as he takes on the responsibility of leading this country we both love. Our differences are real, but the work of nation-building is greater than any rivalry.

And to the young people who placed their hopes in me, I say this: do not give up. Public service is not about one man or one election. It is about the ongoing project of democracy, renewed each day by your voices and your actions.

My family and I will return to private life with gratitude in our hearts—for the chance to serve, for the lessons we have learned, and above all for the unbreakable spirit of Malawi.

May God bless you, and may God bless the Republic of Malawi.