Immediately after swearing in as President, the nation’s newly-minted chief executive officer Arthur Peter Mutharika personally called him for declaration forms to complete in line with the Public Officers (Declaration of Assets, Liabilities and Business Interests) Act. Chief Secretary Justin Saidi, soon after taking office, sought guidance from ODPOD on how newly-appointed senior officials would declare their assets. These two actions from the most powerful political office in the land and its highest ranking civil servant made ODPOD experience one of the busiest first 100 days of a new government since the office started operations in 2014 from the embers of the infamous Cashgate.
Since last October, Cabinet ministers, parliamentarians and public officers have voluntarily overwhelmed his office for forms to declare their assets and liabilities, taking APM’s cue. In leading by example and actually filing his declarations at the earliest opportunity, the President moved beyond the symbolic exercise of power and leadership. He inherently combined it with substance through a practical action that sets the stage for effective management of the State, policy implementation, enforcement of laws, commitment to service delivery and execution of his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) manifesto.
In its 2025 election manifesto, the party reaffirmed its commitment to rule of law, describing it as the “bedrock of an enduring constitutional democratic society.” The party argued that meaningful development cannot be achieved where legal institutions are weakened or justice is selectively applied. On page 48 of the manifesto, DPP acknowledged that Malawi’s governance system suffered in recent years due to institutional weaknesses worsened by political interference, selective justice and inadequate funding. These challenges, the party noted, undermined good governance and rule of law.
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Various observers have been watching Mutharika’s every move during his first 100 days, with judgement of his performance coming into sharper focus now that the honeymoon is over. The majority opinion—though cautious—among political, governance and legal commentators The Nation talked to, is that the President is largely on course in laying a fairly strong foundation for rule of law and good governance to thrive. Private practice lawyer and leading good governance advocate Benedicto Kondowe said in his first 100 days, President Mutharika has demonstrated constitutional restraint and respect for the rule of law, particularly by largely refraining from direct interference in key governance and accountability institutions. This approach, he said, has helped stabilise the institutions and preserved their independence following a politically-sensitive transition.
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