Trending 
The calls for President Lazarus Chakwera to acknowledge his defeat are intensifying, with the Malawi Council of Churches (MCC) emerging as the latest group to urge the incumbent to exit gracefully following the General Election on September 16, 2025.
MCC chair Reverend Billy Gamah said that the preliminary presidential results shared by the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) so far indicate that “the outcome cannot be altered to favour” Chakwera.
With former president Peter Mutharika already leading in 21 of the 24 councils reported, the church group asserts that the responsible course for Chakwera is to concede and promote calm among his supporters openly.
“A public statement by the President acknowledging defeat would not only be an act of statesmanship but also a powerful gesture to encourage his supporters to accept the outcome peacefully,” Reverend Gamah said.
“We believe that conceding early, even before the official announcement, will show maturity, promote peace, and help the nation move forward without violence or unnecessary tension.”
The MCC’s statement compounds the growing pressure on the incumbent, arriving just hours after former president Bakili Muluzi revealed that he personally urged Chakwera to concede and reach out to Mutharika to offer his congratulations. Muluzi argued that such an action would ease political tensions and protect Malawi’s democratic stability, reminding Chakwera that “there is life after State House.”
The combined appeals from the religious community and from the first president of a multiparty Malawi deliver a strong message during a tense time when the nation is anxiously anticipating the final tally from the MEC. Analysts warn that Chakwera’s lack of response could exacerbate dissatisfaction among his supporters and increase the risk of unrest in the aftermath of the election.
With MEC required by law to declare the final presidential results within eight days of the election, it is expected that the final result will be announced on Wednesday.
