Malawi’s President Chakwera Concedes Defeat to Predecessor Peter Mutharika

Malawi’s President Chakwera Concedes Defeat to Predecessor Peter Mutharika — Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera has officially conceded defeat in the country’s recent presidential election, acknowledging a strong lead by his predecessor and main challenger, Peter Mutharika, even before the Electoral Commission’s final announcement.

Speaking in a televised address on Wednesday morning, Chakwera, 70, said:

> “It is only right that I concede defeat out of respect for your will as citizens and out of respect for the constitution.”

The Malawi Electoral Commission is expected to announce the official results later today, but partial tallies already show Mutharika holding a significant lead in what analysts had predicted to be one of the country’s most tightly contested elections in years.