Quote from Alex bobby on September 26, 2025, 6:03 AM

Peter Mutharika’s Return to Power: Malawi’s Former President Stages a Political Comeback

Just five years after being dramatically unseated by a court ruling, Peter Mutharika has staged one of the most remarkable comebacks in Malawian political history. The 85-year-old former leader, who previously held the presidency from 2014 to 2020, has triumphed once again, defeating his long-time rival, President Lazarus Chakwera, in last week’s general election.

Mutharika’s victory reflects both nostalgia for his years in office and widespread frustration with the country’s economic difficulties under Chakwera’s leadership. Yet, as Malawians celebrate or lament his return, questions remain about what his second act will mean for a nation facing deep economic and governance challenges.

A Stunning Return

Mutharika’s re-election marks the fourth time he has run for Malawi’s highest office. After his 2020 ousting, many thought his political career had reached its end. The Constitutional Court had annulled his 2019 election victory, citing irregularities in what became one of Africa’s landmark democratic rulings. Chakwera subsequently won the rerun election in 2020, ushering in a period of high hopes for reform.

But over the past five years, Malawi has endured one of its most severe economic downturns in decades. Inflation soared, fuel and foreign exchange shortages bit hard, and unemployment rose sharply. For many Malawians, day-to-day life became more precarious. Against this backdrop, Mutharika’s campaign message struck a chord: life was better under him.

This combination of economic discontent and political fatigue propelled him back to State House.

Campaigning on the Past

During his campaign trail, Mutharika urged voters to reflect on his record: relative economic stability, consistent food supplies, and infrastructure projects that he claimed lifted Malawi’s profile internationally. In villages and towns across the country, the refrain was the same—“things were easier before.”

Yet his first presidency was far from flawless. Corruption scandals tainted his administration, with critics pointing to allegations of nepotism and misuse of funds. The constitutional annulment of the 2019 elections remains one of the most significant stains on his political legacy.

Still, for voters dealing with the harsh realities of a struggling economy, Mutharika’s blemished past appeared preferable to the hardships of the present.

The Reluctant Politician

Mutharika’s political journey is unusual in that he did not initially aspire to be a politician. Born in 1940 in Thyolo, a tea-growing district in southern Malawi, he was the son of two teachers. His upbringing instilled in him a passion for education, a path he pursued with distinction.

“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,” he told an audience at Oxford University in 2017.

He attended Dedza Secondary School, which has produced many of Malawi’s prominent politicians, before studying law at the prestigious Yale University in the 1960s. Over his academic career, he became an expert in international law, teaching at universities in the United States, Tanzania, and elsewhere.

It was only later, following in the footsteps of his elder brother Bingu wa Mutharika, who served as Malawi’s president from 2004 until his death in 2012, that Peter entered politics. Initially serving as a Cabinet minister, he eventually rose to secure the presidency in 2014.

The Challenges Ahead

As Mutharika prepares to be sworn in once more, Malawi faces daunting challenges. The country’s economy remains fragile, heavily dependent on agriculture and external aid. The depreciation of the Malawian kwacha, rising fuel costs, and food insecurity are pressing issues demanding urgent solutions.

Equally, governance concerns loom large. While his supporters celebrate his return as a victory for experience and stability, critics warn that old problems of corruption and weak accountability could resurface. Civil society organisations and opposition parties are already calling for vigilance in holding Mutharika accountable.

Beyond the economy and governance, Malawi also grapples with climate shocks. Cyclones and floods in recent years have devastated communities and exposed vulnerabilities in infrastructure and disaster preparedness. How Mutharika’s administration will address these realities may well define his second presidency.

Symbol of Political Resilience

At 85, Mutharika’s comeback underscores not only his personal resilience but also the volatility of Malawian politics. Few leaders have experienced such dramatic reversals of fortune: from president, to disgraced incumbent, to opposition figure, and now, once again, president.

His return also raises questions about succession and generational change in Malawian politics. As one of Africa’s oldest elected leaders, Mutharika faces pressure to nurture new leadership that can carry forward reforms and inspire the country’s youthful population.

International Reactions

The international community has responded cautiously to Mutharika’s return. Regional observers have praised the peaceful transfer of power and the resilience of Malawi’s electoral institutions, even amid heated campaigns. Development partners, however, remain watchful, mindful of past concerns about governance during his administration.

For many, the test will lie in whether Mutharika can balance populist promises with practical solutions—restoring investor confidence, stabilising the currency, and ensuring aid funds are transparently managed.

Looking Forward

As Peter Mutharika prepares to take office again, Malawi stands at a crossroads. Citizens expect immediate relief from rising prices, unemployment, and food insecurity, while the international community will be watching for signs of good governance and accountability. For Mutharika, this term is more than a return—it is an opportunity to restore confidence in leadership and set Malawi on a more sustainable economic path. Whether his experience will translate into lasting progress remains to be seen, but the coming months will be critical in shaping both his legacy and Malawi’s future trajectory

Final Thoughts

Peter Mutharika’s return to the presidency is both a story of political redemption and a reflection of public frustration with Malawi’s current trajectory. His re-election highlights how, in times of economic hardship, voters often look back to the past with longing—even if that past was imperfect.

As he prepares to lead Malawi once more, the weight of expectation is immense. Mutharika must not only address the immediate economic crisis but also prove that his second presidency can rise above the controversies that marred his first.

For now, Malawians have chosen to give him another chance. The world will be watching closely to see whether Peter Mutharika, the reluctant politician turned comeback president, can deliver on his promise of a better tomorrow.

conclusion

Peter Mutharika’s stunning comeback marks a pivotal moment in Malawi’s political history. His victory reflects both the hardships citizens have endured in recent years and their hope that familiar leadership can restore stability. Yet at 85, Mutharika steps into office with the burden of past controversies and the urgent demand to address economic decline, corruption, and climate challenges. Whether his second presidency becomes a redemption story or a repeat of old mistakes will define not only his legacy but also Malawi’s future path.

Meta Description:
Five years after a court ruling ended his presidency, Peter Mutharika has won Malawi’s 2025 election, defeating Lazarus Chakwera. His comeback raises hopes and concerns as he faces economic and governance challenges.