Chilungo aims to break Malawi’s political mould as first independent president
Adil James Chilungo is confident he will become Malawi’s first-ever independent president in the upcoming general election on September 16, 2025. His campaign challenges the entrenched dominance of party politics that has shaped Malawi since independence. While facing candidates from major parties and other independents, Chilungo insists he will emerge victorious.
Speaking in Lilongwe during the Malawi Electoral Commission’s official launch of the 60-day campaign period, Chilungo expressed unwavering belief in his vision for a new style of leadership—one untethered from traditional party agendas. “Malawians have been betrayed enough by politicians,” he declared, framing his independent bid as a necessary evolution for Malawi’s democracy.
Since independence in 1964, all five presidents, including Hastings Kamuzu Banda, Bakili Muluzi, Bingu wa Mutharika, Joyce Banda, and current President Lazarus Chakwera, have come from political parties. Chilungo’s campaign marks a historic departure, aiming to represent ordinary citizens free from party influence or patronage.
Chilungo’s platform centres on peace, policy, and reform, with a firm commitment to a violence-free election in line with Malawi Electoral Commission guidelines. “Violence benefits no one. Development thrives in peace,” he emphasized.
A key focus of his agenda is agricultural reform aimed at diversifying Malawi’s food security beyond maize. He advocates introducing affordable, environmentally friendly fertilizers and expanding irrigation, mechanization, and access to inputs, targeting crops such as potatoes, legumes, and fruits.
On economic policy, Chilungo proposes an innovative shift from traditional interest-based lending to a profit-sharing financial model designed to ease the burden on entrepreneurs stifled by high interest rates. This model offers interest-free capital to small businesses.
Chilungo criticizes previous administrations for fostering unequal development and misusing public resources, pointing to infrastructure projects that disproportionately benefit political elites. “We all pay taxes, but only a few see the benefits. This inequality must end,” he said.
Drawing on his successful track record of local development projects, Chilungo seeks a broader mandate to scale these initiatives nationwide. “This is not about ambition. It’s about national transformation,” he affirmed.
A cornerstone of his campaign is the formation of a “Values-Based National Alliance,” which aims to anchor governance in Malawi’s cultural and moral heritage, promoting unity and integrity as solutions to the country’s challenges.
If elected, Chilungo would make history as Malawi’s first independent president, a milestone with the potential to disrupt decades of party-driven politics. His unconventional campaign is already resonating with voters weary of broken promises and hungry for grassroots empowerment.
As the campaign unfolds, Chilungo’s message of reform and independence will test Malawi’s appetite for political change and whether an independent candidate can truly break through the party system to lead Africa’s warm heart.
