Bingu wa Mutharika

Bingu wa Mutharika won the presidential election as the candidate of the United Democratic Front, succeeding Bakili Muluzi. He took office with a mandate for economic reform.

Mutharika implemented the Farm Input Subsidy Programme, providing subsidized fertilizer and seeds to smallholder farmers. The program dramatically increased maize production, transforming Malawi from a food-deficit to a food-exporting country.

Mutharika resigned from the United Democratic Front and formed the Democratic Progressive Party after falling out with predecessor Bakili Muluzi. This split led to political instability and opposition attempts to impeach him.

Mutharika won a second term with a landslide victory, receiving 66% of the vote. His Democratic Progressive Party also won a majority in parliament, giving him a strong mandate.

Mutharika died of a heart attack at the age of 78. His death triggered a constitutional crisis as his cabinet initially attempted to prevent Vice President Joyce Banda from assuming power, but she eventually succeeded him.