Malawi’s Peter Mutharika makes surprise comeback, set to become president again

Peter Mutharika, Malawi's former president, is poised to return to the presidency after winning last week's general election, defeating incumbent Lazarus Chakwera. If confirmed, the 85-year-old would reclaim the office he held from 2014 to 2020 after a career marked by a mix of infrastructure gains and recurring corruption allegations.

Born in 1940 in the tea-growing Thyolo region, Mutharika spent decades as an academic before entering politics in 2004. He rose to national prominence as an adviser to his older brother, Bingu wa Mutharika, and later served in Bingu's cabinet as justice minister, education minister and foreign minister. He won a seat in Parliament in 2009 with the ruling Democratic Progressive Party. His ascent was shadowed by controversy, including a bitter succession battle after Bingu's death in 2012 that helped propel Joyce Banda to the presidency. Mutharika was briefly charged with treason in the wake of the power struggle, charges that were dropped after he was elected president in 2014, defeating Banda and Lazarus Chakwera with just over 36% of the vote.

Supporters point to economic gains during his first term, including infrastructure development financed by Chinese loans and a drop in inflation from the high teens to single digits. Critics highlight persistent blackouts, food shortages and lingering concerns about corruption, including a 2018 case in which the country’s anti-corruption agency accused him of receiving a kickback related to a police food contract; he denied wrongdoing and was cleared. The period also featured sharp political tensions, including charges of nepotism stemming from debates over succession within the ruling party.

The 2019 election, however, ended in a dramatic twist when Malawi's Constitutional Court nullified the result, citing irregularities such as the use of correction fluid on results sheets. A rerun in 2020 brought Lazarus Chakwera to the presidency with about 59% of the vote, a moment many observers hailed as a robust affirmation of Malawi's constitutional checks and balances. Since leaving office, Malawi has faced rising inflation, now well above 30%, a punishing cyclone season, drought, and dwindling foreign reserves, all contributing to widespread poverty across the country.

During this campaign, Mutharika appealed to voters in local language, telling audiences that life was better under his leadership and emphasizing a return to what he called more stable times. He reportedly carried support in areas previously considered Chakwera strongholds, including the capital Lilongwe and the coastal district of Nkhotakota, underscoring the volatility of Malawi's political landscape.

Analysts caution that an 85-year-old president faces questions about stamina and governance, even as many Malawians hope for relief from a harsh economic climate. If the results hold, Mutharika will inherit an agenda that includes reviving growth, addressing energy shortages and rebuilding resilience in the face of climate-related shocks. The path forward will test Malawi's democracy, which observers say has shown resilience in the face of electoral disputes and power transitions.

In the days ahead, Malawi will confront immediate economic and governance challenges, from stabilizing inflation to ensuring steady energy supply and rebuilding after climate shocks. The international community will watch for how the new government reconciles with a citizenry craving tangible relief and greater accountability, while safeguarding the constitutional framework that enabled Malawi's recent peaceful transfer of power. The coming months will determine whether Mutharika’s comeback translates into durable policy gains or becomes another chapter in a long-running political saga that has defined Malawi's modern history.