Newly-elected Malawian President Peter Mutharika (L, front) is sworn in during a ceremony at the Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, Malawi, on Oct. 4, 2025. The 85-year-old president Peter Mutharika, who previously served from 2014 to 2020, returned to office with former MEC chairperson Jane Ansah as his vice president. (Photo by Roy Nkosi/Xinhua)

BLANTYRE, Malawi, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- Malawian President Peter Mutharika issued a warning against corruption in his inaugural speech after being sworn in on Saturday in Blantyre, the country's second-largest city.

The time of "corruption and looting is over ... and this is my last warning," Mutharika said in his speech following his victory in the Sept. 16 presidential election.

He said he was returning with a new vision and a new agenda, and pledged to deliver the change Malawians had long desired.

"We are here to serve the will of the people with one vision, one dream, one country and one purpose: we all wanted change, we voted for change, we accepted change, and I promise you real change," Mutharika said.

Mutharika, of the Democratic Progressive Party, secured nearly 3.04 million votes in the 17-candidate race, while Lazarus Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party garnered around 1.77 million, according to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).

The 85-year-old president, who previously served from 2014 to 2020, returned to office with former MEC chairperson Jane Ansah as his vice president. ■

Malawian Vice President Jane Ansah takes oath of office at the Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, Malawi, on Oct. 4, 2025. The 85-year-old president Peter Mutharika, who previously served from 2014 to 2020, returned to office with former MEC chairperson Jane Ansah as his vice president. (Photo by Joseph Mizere/Xinhua)

Newly-elected Malawian President Peter Mutharika (R) is sworn in during a ceremony at the Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, Malawi, on Oct. 4, 2025. The 85-year-old president Peter Mutharika, who previously served from 2014 to 2020, returned to office with former MEC chairperson Jane Ansah as his vice president. (Photo by Joseph Mizere/Xinhua)

A military parade is held during a swearing-in ceremony at the Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, Malawi, on Oct. 4, 2025. The 85-year-old president Peter Mutharika, who previously served from 2014 to 2020, returned to office with former MEC chairperson Jane Ansah as his vice president. (Photo by Roy Nkosi/Xinhua)

People attend the inauguration ceremony of Malawian President Peter Mutharika at the Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, Malawi, on Oct. 4, 2025. The 85-year-old president Peter Mutharika, who previously served from 2014 to 2020, returned to office with former MEC chairperson Jane Ansah as his vice president. (Photo by Joseph Mizere/Xinhua)