Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera

<p class="MsoNormal">Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, born on 5 April 1955 in
Lilongwe, is a theologian and politician who has led the Malawi Congress Party
(MCP) since 2013. Before entering frontline politics, he served for over two
decades (1989–2013) as President of the Malawi Assemblies of God, a leading
Pentecostal denomination, and earned advanced theological degrees, including a
doctorate from Trinity International University in the United States. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Chakwera contested presidential elections in 2014 and 2019.
The 2019 result was annulled by the Constitutional Court due to irregularities.
In the 2020 re-run, he triumphed decisively with nearly 59% of the vote, backed
by the <a href="https://africanarguments.org/2024/07/malawi-ruling-tonse-alliance-in-a-tailspin/">Tonse
Alliance</a>, marking the Malawi Congress Party’s return to power.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Presidency</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Chakwera’s leadership has attracted both praise and
criticism. Supporters commend his moral authority, infrastructure expansion,
and crisis responses. Yet, analysts highlight persistent issues like inflation,
unmet job creation promises, selective anti-corruption enforcement, and
diminished public trust as key vulnerabilities in his re-election bid.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>2025 Campaign Focus</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Chakwera launched the 2025–2030 manifesto, urging Malawians
to back his renewed mandate to complete unfinished development, describing his
term thus far as a “difficult but determined journey.” <o:p></o:p></p><p>

</p><p class="MsoNormal">The manifesto centers on five core pillars, including: Food
Security for All (targeting complete self-sufficiency by 2030), Infrastructure
development &amp; economic diversification, Improved healthcare and human
capital, Effective governance and anti-corruption, Local industrialization and
job creation.<o:p></o:p></p>