Dar es Salaam – President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Thursday extended warm congratulations to Arthur Peter Mutharika on his election victory in Malawi’s pivotal 2025 general election, a poll widely praised for its peacefulness and transparency.
In a statement shared on her official Instagram account, President Samia pledged to strengthen the historic ties between the two neighbouring nations.
“On behalf of the Government and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania, I convey my heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika,” the President said. “I look forward to working together to further strengthen our historic ties.”
The election marks a significant political comeback for Mutharika, 85, and his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Official results show that he won 57 per cent of the vote, compared to the 33 per cent of President Lazarus Chakwera, 70.
International observers from the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have preliminarily commended the electoral process as orderly and credible, a notable achievement following the annulled and contentious 2019 election.
President Samia’s statement notably praised this peaceful transition. “I commend His Excellency President Dr Lazarus Chakwera, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and the people of Malawi, for a peaceful election and a smooth transition,” she added, underscoring the importance of democratic stability in the region.
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The message underscores the deep and multifaceted relationship between Tanzania and Malawi. The two nations share a 475-kilometer border, with significant cultural and familial links, particularly around the shared waters of Lake Malawi (known as Lake Nyasa in Tanzania).
Historically, relations have been cordial, though periodically punctuated by the long-standing, unresolved border dispute over the entirety of Lake Malawi, which Tanzania claims lies partially within its territory.
In 2024, both countries imposed tit-for-tat bans on each other’s goods, including Tanzanian beverages and Malawian agricultural products, disrupting cross-border trade and straining relations.
Despite this, both governments have consistently prioritised dialogue and cooperation within regional blocs like SADC. Key areas of collaboration include trade, with Tanzania’s ports of Dar es Salaam and Mbeya serving as vital gateways for Malawian imports and exports, as well as joint security initiatives along the border.
President Samia’s prompt congratulation signals a desire for continued pragmatic partnership. As Mutharika prepares to take office, the focus for both leaders is expected to remain on enhancing economic integration, managing shared natural resources, and bolstering cross-border trade, building on a foundation of neighbourly diplomacy.
