Former Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera has spoken candidly about the challenges of tackling corruption, warning that reform efforts often make leaders targets of political backlash.
“The fight you engage in fights back,” Chakwera said in Africanews’ Global Conversation, reflecting on his presidency and anti-corruption agenda.
Crises Compounded Reform Efforts
Elected in 2020 on a reformist platform, Chakwera faced overlapping crises: the COVID-19 pandemic and recurring natural disasters, including cyclones and droughts, placing heavy pressure on the economy and public services.
“Each of the four years I had to declare a state of national disaster,” he said, highlighting the scale of disruption.
Chakwera defended the pace of reforms, noting that structural change often conflicts with public expectations for immediate results.
“Sometimes politics is transactional… people want what happens today,” he explained.
Upholding the Rule of Law Can Be Punishing
Chakwera also addressed delays in appointing Malawi’s Anti-Corruption Bureau director, attributing setbacks to legal hurdles and his commitment to judicial processes.
“Once you want to stick truly to the rule of law… it punishes you as well,” he said.
He framed his experience as typical for reformist leaders in Africa, where entrenched systems and resistance to change slow progress.
Looking Forward: Opposition Leadership and Continued Service
Despite losing re-election, Chakwera praised Malawi’s peaceful vote and orderly power transfer as a democratic milestone. Now leading the opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP), he remains focused on rebuilding trust and strengthening party structures.
“As former president, I will serve the people continuously,” he said, leaving open the possibility of a future political role.
Chakwera’s remarks highlight a stark reality: meaningful reform comes at a cost, and sustainable change often extends beyond a single term in office.
