Lawyer and political commentator Z. Allan Ntata has congratulated President-elect Arthur Peter Mutharika on his victory, but at the same time warned that Malawi remains on a dangerous path under his leadership.
Writing on his Facebook page on Monday, Ntata was candid that although Mutharika won fairly and deserves recognition as the duly elected leader of the country, he does not believe the former president offers the answers Malawi desperately needs.
“I do not hide from the fact that I have publicly disapproved of Mutharika. But my objections are based on principle, not personality. I continue to believe that Malawi must move toward a leadership culture rooted in reform, vision, and institutional accountability, not cycles of nostalgia or fear,” Ntata wrote.
He stressed that democracy demands respect for the people’s decision even when it goes against one’s personal preference. “Professor Mutharika won this election fairly, and I wish him well as the duly elected President of the Republic,” Ntata said.
However, he made clear his continued unease about the future under Mutharika’s stewardship, saying, “I may not approve of the direction, but I respect the process.”
Ntata added that the real test of Malawi’s democracy lies not in who occupies State House, but in how consistently citizens and institutions hold leaders accountable. He urged Malawians not to descend into bitterness or blind cheerleading, but instead to push harder for reform and institution-building.
“I remain committed to the work of reform, in institution-building, and principled civic leadership because the work continues, even when the faces change,” he concluded.
Analysts say Ntata’s remarks reflect a growing current of thought among critics who accept Mutharika’s mandate but remain deeply sceptical about his ability to deliver meaningful change.
