Malawi’s Peter Mutharika is now Africa’s second-oldest leader, after Cameroon’s 92-year-old Paul Biya.
Mutharika, who is now 85, took oath as the seventh president of Malawi on Saturday.
Until Mutharika’s return, the second spot was held by Equatorial Guinea’s Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, now 83.
With Mutharika back in office, Obiang slips to third place in Africa’s hierarchy of elder statesmen.
Mutharika’s dramatic return to power
Mutharika’s inauguration in Lilongwe marks a stunning political turnaround.
The courts annulled his disputed re-election, ending his first term, which lasted from 2014 to 2020.
This time, he secured victory with about 56% of the vote, defeating incumbent Lazarus Chakwera, who garnered 33%.
The result signals more than just a shift in leadership—it reflects both nostalgia for Mutharika’s previous tenure and questions about whether advanced age can sit comfortably alongside the demands of modern governance.
Mutharika: Balancing age, experience, and expectations
At 85, Mutharika is now the oldest leader in Southern Africa. Supporters say his experience makes him well-placed to stabilize the economy and restore trust in government.
In his swearing-in speech, he pledged to fight corruption and steer Malawi out of its economic slump.
“Our nation’s challenges are immense, but not insurmountable,” he said, vowing to rebuild confidence in a country battered by inflation, fuel shortages, and climate-driven food insecurity.
Still, his age has sparked concerns over stamina, long-term vision, and whether he can connect with a generation increasingly impatient for change.
Old leaders, new questions
Across Africa, age continues to shape politics. Alongside Biya and Mutharika, several presidents are well into their late seventies and eighties, fueling debate about whether the continent is trapped in what some call a “gerontocracy.”
For Mutharika, this new term will likely define his legacy. Will he be remembered as a seasoned statesman who guided Malawi through turbulence, or as another symbol of Africa’s struggle to pass the torch to a younger generation?
Either way, at 85, Mutharika is making it clear he believes his best years in leadership are not yet behind him.
