We cannot wish away 2025, which came to a close just three days ago, without reflecting on it. What defined the year? Its highs and lows; the good and the bad; the beautiful and the ugly that shaped it.
Needless to say, 2025 was an eventful year—much like 2024, which will be remembered largely for the tragic death of Vice- President Saulos Klaus Chilima. He died on June 10 in a Malawi Defence Force plane crash in the Chikangawa Forest Reserve, alongside eight others who were aboard the ill-fated Dornier 228 aircraft. Following a year-long investigation, the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU) released its final report in October 2025.
The report attributed the primary cause of the crash to pilot error, stating that the crew continued flying under visual flight rules despite entering instrument meteorological conditions with deteriorating visibility. The BFU further revealed that the aircraft was not airworthy, citing an expired certification and an emergency locator transmitter battery that had been expired since 2004. It also noted that the ageing aircraft lacked essential flight data recorders (black boxes) and a cockpit voice recorder, which complicated early search efforts.
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In short, the report ruled out foul play in the tragedy. Additionally, the findings suggested that the pilot was medically and psychologically unfit to fly. During the September 16 2025 General Election, the plane crash became a major campaign issue against the Malawi Congress Party (MCP)-led government.
Failure to expedite a fresh inquiry risks creating the perception that the matter is being politicised. While 2024 will largely be remembered for the tragic plane crash, the defining event of 2025 was the September 16 General Election. The tripartite polls were held to elect a President, 229 Members of Parliament and 509 local government councillors.
The election marked the return of former President Peter Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), who defeated 16 other presidential candidates, including the incumbent, MCP’s Lazarus Chakwera. Mutharika won outright in the first-round, with a commanding 56.8 percent of the vote, surpassing the 50 percent plus one threshold. Chakwera garnered 33 percent and conceded defeat on September 24, paving the way for a peaceful transition.
In Parliament, the DPP secured 81 seats, Independents won 69, while the MCP took 52. The DPP also claimed the majority of local council seats. Notably, while Chakwera campaigned extensively across nearly every district, Mutharika campaigned for just three days.
The DPP manifesto outlined several key pillars, including economic recovery, education and youth empowerment, decentralisation and infrastructure development, food security and agriculture. On economic stabilisation, the party pledged to stabilise the exchange rate and ensure consistent availability of foreign exchange and fuel within six months of assuming office. On fiscal consolidation, it promised to save K500 billion in 2026 and up to K1.5 trillion annually by 2030 through measures such as a lean cabinet, reduced budgets for state residences and a freeze on the purchase of new government vehicles.
The DPP is now entering its fourth month in power. Admittedly, it is still early to make a definitive assessment. However, with promises to tame inflation, stabilise forex and ensure fuel availability within six months, the clock is ticking.
Six months is now only two months away. Time is running out, and public patience may soon wear thin. Some of the party’s tax reforms, while hailed by supporters as progressive and pro-poor, have been criticised by others as predatory. Critics point to aggressive rental tax collection and the growing burden on workers amid high inflation and a weakened currency.
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