Peter Mutharika is poised to return to the presidency of Malawi, five years after he was ousted by a court ruling. He previously served from 2014 until 2020, and appears to have won last week’s general election against President Lazarus Chakwera.
Throughout the campaign, Mutharika argued that the conditions of life under his leadership were superior, especially in light of Malawi’s severe economic hardships during Chakwera’s tenure. However, Mutharika’s past is not without controversy; his earlier presidency was marked by allegations of corruption and a tumultuous exit from office.
Born in 1940 in Thyolo, Mutharika was raised in an academic environment and later became a professor with a focus on international justice. He entered politics in 2004 when his brother, Bingu Mutharika, was elected president. Over the years, he held various ministerial positions before becoming president himself.
The political landscape in Malawi has been fraught with challenges, particularly after Bingu’s sudden death in 2012, which led to a constitutional crisis. Joyce Banda, the vice-president at that time, took office despite Mutharika’s supporters attempting to claim the presidency. Mutharika later faced treason charges, which were dropped after his election victory in 2014.
Despite securing significant loans and reducing inflation during his first term, Mutharika’s administration also grappled with power shortages and corruption scandals. His second run for office in 2019 ended dramatically when the Constitutional Court annulled the election due to evidence of vote tampering. The re-run in 2020 resulted in a loss to Chakwera.
Contrary to expectations, Mutharika has re-entered the political scene at age 85, citing public desire for his leadership. His health and vitality for the role have been questioned amidst rising inflation and economic difficulties faced by Malawians. As Mutharika prepares to take office again, many are watching closely to see if he can deliver on his promises.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2ejmrd3m0lo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss