Malawi Re-run Election: Chakwera Sworn in as Sixth President After Historic Court-overturned Vote in Africa
Leadership changed hands in Malawi as the country swore in Lazarus Chakwera as the sixth President of the country for a five-year tenure on Sunday.
Chakwera became the beneficiary of the first ever court overturned presidential vote in the African continent.
He unseated former president Peter Mutharika in a re-run election. Malawi held election in May 2019, where Mutharika was retuned but the result was voided by court. Chakwera, aged 65, won 58.57% of votes cast at Tuesday’s election.
Observers say the repeat served as a test of the ability of courts in Africa to fight electoral fraud and checkmate presidential power.
“To stand before you as president today is an honour. It’s an honour that fills with unspeakable joy and immense gratitude,” Chakwera said in his acceptance spee...