Five years after being removed from office by a landmark court decision, former President Peter Mutharika is on the brink of a dramatic political comeback. Now 85, Mutharika is set to defeat incumbent Lazarus Chakwera in what is shaping up to be one of Malawi’s most consequential elections in decades.
The veteran politician’s resurgence comes after a scathing campaign focused on Malawi’s economic freefall under Chakwera’s leadership. "Life was simply better under my government," Mutharika repeatedly told supporters, tapping into widespread discontent over inflation, fuel shortages, and unemployment.
Despite his age and political setbacks, this marks Mutharika’s fourth bid for the presidency—a testament to his enduring influence in Malawian politics.
But politics wasn’t always his path. Before becoming a household name, Mutharika built a distinguished career as a law professor in the United States. His shift from academia to statecraft began when he returned to Malawi in the early 2000s, eventually succeeding his brother, the late President Bingu wa Mutharika.
His previous term was cut short in 2020 when Malawi’s Constitutional Court annulled the election that initially handed him victory—citing widespread irregularities. That ruling made history, setting a new standard for democratic accountability in Africa.
Now, voters appear ready to give Mutharika a second chance.
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