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.
But 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.
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, Mutharika commented in 2017, during an address at the UK's Oxford University.
Mutharika went on to become a professor specializing in international justice before pivoting to politics in 2004, serving as an adviser to his brother, the former president Bingu Mutharika.
Following Bingu's death, Peter attempted to assume power but faced significant opposition and was charged with treason, though those charges were later dismissed. He eventually won the presidential election in 2014.
Mutharika's supporters claim his initial term uplifted Malawi, citing significant infrastructure investments and decreased inflation, although his tenure was also marred by blackouts and allegations of corruption.
His political journey has been marked by significant challenges, often surpassing expectations despite controversies. Now, as he assumes office again, the nation watches closely for the impact of his leadership on a country facing severe socio-economic struggles.
