Just five years after being dramatically unseated by a court ruling, Peter Mutharika is set to return to power as the president of Malawi. Mutharika, who held the top job from 2014 to 2020, seems to have triumphed in last week's general election, usurping his long-time rival, President Lazarus Chakwera.
Mutharika told voters on the campaign trail that life was simply better under him - Malawi has experienced one of its worst ever economic downturns since Chakwera took office. But the record of 85-year-old Mutharika has its own blemishes, from corruption allegations to the debacle that ended his first presidency.
This is the fourth time he has run for office, but initially, Mutharika did not intend to go into politics. Born in 1940 in the tea-growing region of Thyolo, he was raised by two teachers and developed a love for education. He attended Dedza Secondary School, known for nurturing notable politicians, and studied law at Yale University in the US. As a professor, he built an expertise in international justice, teaching around the globe.
Mutharika transitioned to politics in 2004 when his brother became president of Malawi. Serving as an adviser, he climbed through political ranks and was finally elected as an MP for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.
His political rise has been anything but smooth. Following the death of his brother in 2012, he was embroiled in a power struggle that saw his vice-president ascend to the presidency instead. Accused of treason, Mutharika was later cleared and went on to win the presidency in 2014, defeating both Banda and Chakwera.
His supporters credited his first term with uplifting Malawi’s economy by securing loans for infrastructure and reducing inflation. However, his tenure also was marked by power outages and food shortages, as well as more corruption scandals.
After losing the 2019 elections amid accusations of vote fraud, he surprisingly entered this year's presidential race, claiming his supporters urged him to reclaim the presidency to save Malawi from Chakwera's governance.
With the economic situation dire, inflation exceeding 30% and challenges such as Cyclone Freddy, Mutharika appealed to voters, reminding them of his past leadership. Despite health concerns tied to his age, he has regained the trust of voters. His comeback represents a crucial moment for Malawi, as the country watches to see if he can truly lead them to a better future.
Mutharika told voters on the campaign trail that life was simply better under him - Malawi has experienced one of its worst ever economic downturns since Chakwera took office. But the record of 85-year-old Mutharika has its own blemishes, from corruption allegations to the debacle that ended his first presidency.
This is the fourth time he has run for office, but initially, Mutharika did not intend to go into politics. Born in 1940 in the tea-growing region of Thyolo, he was raised by two teachers and developed a love for education. He attended Dedza Secondary School, known for nurturing notable politicians, and studied law at Yale University in the US. As a professor, he built an expertise in international justice, teaching around the globe.
Mutharika transitioned to politics in 2004 when his brother became president of Malawi. Serving as an adviser, he climbed through political ranks and was finally elected as an MP for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.
His political rise has been anything but smooth. Following the death of his brother in 2012, he was embroiled in a power struggle that saw his vice-president ascend to the presidency instead. Accused of treason, Mutharika was later cleared and went on to win the presidency in 2014, defeating both Banda and Chakwera.
His supporters credited his first term with uplifting Malawi’s economy by securing loans for infrastructure and reducing inflation. However, his tenure also was marked by power outages and food shortages, as well as more corruption scandals.
After losing the 2019 elections amid accusations of vote fraud, he surprisingly entered this year's presidential race, claiming his supporters urged him to reclaim the presidency to save Malawi from Chakwera's governance.
With the economic situation dire, inflation exceeding 30% and challenges such as Cyclone Freddy, Mutharika appealed to voters, reminding them of his past leadership. Despite health concerns tied to his age, he has regained the trust of voters. His comeback represents a crucial moment for Malawi, as the country watches to see if he can truly lead them to a better future.
