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.
However, 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 graduated with a law degree from Yale University in the 1960s. Before transitioning to politics in 2004, Mutharika had a distinguished academic career, holding professorships across several continents.
Mutharika’s political ascent was marked by controversies, especially surrounding his brother Bingu's presidency until 2012, when a sudden death led to a constitutional crisis. He was almost declared treasonous during the aftermath, but the charges were later dropped.
His presidency from 2014 to 2020 saw both infrastructural development and persistent issues of corruption and economic instability. Mutharika's tenure was marred by accusations of financial misconduct, though he was cleared of significant charges.
The extraordinarily dramatic circumstances surrounding his loss in the 2019 election, which included a court ruling for electoral misconduct, only added to his complicated legacy.
Upon entering this year's race, Mutharika capitalized on public discontent with Chakwera's administration, which has been beleaguered by economic strife and a series of natural disasters.
Now returning to the presidential residence, Mutharika faces the immense challenge of addressing inflation, which has surged past 30%, while assuring Malawians he can lead effectively at the age of 85.
As Mutharika settles back into power, the nation is poised to see if he can fulfill his promises and revitalize Malawi's economy amid widespread suffering.
