MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has extolled Malawi’s state institutions – the military and the judiciary – for taking a principled stance to protect the country’s constitution and maintaining the rule of law.
In a letter written by the opposition leader to Malawi’s president Lazarus Chakwera, Chamisa said the developments in Malawi are a source of inspiration to democrats across Africa. Said Chamisa:
We equally salute the national institutions in Malawi, in particular the judiciary and security services for acting as a bulwark against authoritarianism and defending the constitution of Malawi both in letter and spirit.
It must be a source of pride to Malawians that these institutions have consistently demonstrated a commitment to professionalism, respect for the rule of law and defence of the constitution.
Chakwera was was on Sunday sworn in as President of Malawi after winning an election re-run.
He got 58.57 per cent of Tuesday’s vote, defeating incumbent President Peter Mutharika.
Malawi’s Constitutional Court annulled President Mutharika’s victory in the May 2019 election, citing widespread irregularities and ordered a rerun.
The results of the rerun followed voting patterns shown in the previous election which was annulled but Chakwera, Saulos Klaus Chilima and smaller parties formed a grand coalition to win last week’s vote.