23 September 2025 | 08:46 CAT
3-minute read

Malawi election; Sudan’s War Deepens and Guinea’s Constitution Sparks Controversy

In this week’s Africa Report on Radio Islam International, Dr Sizo Nkala, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Centre for Africa-China Studies, University of Johannesburg, offered an analytical update on several pressing crises across Africa, including the tightly contested Malawi election, Guinea’s constitutional referendum, and the escalating war in Sudan.

Malawi held its general elections on 16 September 2025, to elect the president, members of parliament, and local government officials. While there were more than 17 presidential candidates on the ballot, political analysts predicted early on that the race would effectively come down to two front-runners: the incumbent president, Lazarus Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party, and his predecessor, Peter Mutharika, representing the Democratic Progressive Party.

The economy topped the list of voter concerns. Malawi is grappling with soaring inflation (above 20-27%), persistent food and fuel shortages, and the fallout of climate disasters and droughts. Many observers say public disillusionment with both leading figures has deepened; Chakwera’s government has been criticised for failing to rein in corruption and revive economic growth, while Mutharika’s prior term was itself marred by allegations of graft.

Dr Nkala described what he sees as a grim but all too familiar dynamic, explaining that for many Malawi citizens the choice felt like picking between two flawed options.

“Malawians were faced with two bad choices, so they have to choose one,” Nkala said.

Partial results released up to Tuesday show Mutharika leading significantly over Chakwera in multiple council districts, pointing toward a possible return to power, assuming he maintains momentum as the full tally unfolds.

Nkala also turned his attention to Guinea, where a constitutional referendum was recently held under conditions that raised concerns among international observers. The military government of Mamady Doumbouya, which came to power in a coup in 2021, has been pushing the draft constitution — now under populace vote — that many regard as tailored to allow Doumbouya and his allies to stand for the upcoming elections. The opposition remains banned, and critics warn that this would violate Africa-wide norms against coup leaders participating in post-coup elections.

In Sudan, the humanitarian catastrophe continues. Dr Nkala noted that the civil war, which erupted in 2023, has shown no signs of abating. A drone attack in El Fasha claimed the lives of about 70 people, making it one of the deadliest single incidents since the conflict’s escalation. Ethnic violence, summary executions, and mass displacement have compounded the tragedy. More than 80% of health facilities in El Fasha are reportedly non-functional, and nearly 4 million children are malnourished.

Dr Nkala warned that the civilian cost of the Sudan conflict is spiralling out of control.

“People are dying by the hundreds. Millions of civilians are trapped in this war zone with no escape route whatsoever,” he said.

He also cautioned about international and regional efforts: diplomatic initiatives have so far failed to halt the fighting or to ensure access to humanitarian aid. The collapse of essential infrastructure, especially health services, is adding urgency to calls for intervention.

Throughout the discussion, Nkala underlined that the challenges in these countries are not isolated: governance, legitimacy, economic crises, and human rights abuses intersect and amplify one another.

He expressed concern that across the region, leadership is tested not just at ballot, but in how crises are managed.

“The UN … says there’s been an increase in summary executions … ethnic violence … attacks by the rapid support forces in the city …”

Listen to the Africa Report on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat.