Peter Mutharika's Return: A New Era or Same Challenges for Malawi?

Wed Oct 22 2025 04:54:20 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Peter Mutharika, after overcoming allegations of fraud and political turmoil, makes a surprising return as Malawi's president amidst a backdrop of economic hardships and public unrest.

Peter Mutharika has been elected president of Malawi once again, five years after a dramatic court ruling ousted him from power. His return comes at a time when the country is experiencing economic struggles, prompting questions about his leadership capabilities and the legacy of his previous tenure. This latest election has been characterized by a strong desire among voters for change, while Mutharika faces criticism for past corruption allegations and concerns over his health at age 85.

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, 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.

I grew up in a family where my parents were educators, and myself I spent all my life in higher education, at seven universities on three continents, Mutharika commented in 2017, during an address at the UK's Oxford University.

Mutharika eventually pivoted to politics in 2004, when his older brother, Bingu, became Malawi's president.

Mutharika returned home to serve as an adviser to the new president and in 2009, he was elected as an MP for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Mutharika scaled the heights of power relatively peacefully, but tensions emerged in 2010, amid reports that Bingu planned to name his brother as the DPP's presidential candidate for the 2014 elections.

But plans were interrupted when Bingu suffered a cardiac arrest and died in 2012.

With the presidency vacant, a power struggle ensued, leading to a constitutional battle and accusations against Mutharika, who faced treason charges. Those charges were dropped after Mutharika was elected president in 2014.

His supporters praise his previous administration for infrastructure improvements and economic growth, while critics point to power shortages and corruption scandals. Mutharika's leadership style has been characterized as reserved, coupled with a focus on education above political theatrics.

Now, facing inflation and hardship that's weighed heavily on Malawians since his departure from office, Mutharika's commitment to better governance will be closely scrutinized as he takes on the monumental challenges ahead.