Malawi Inaugurates New President
By RAPHAEL TENTHANI
June 2, 2014 11:55 AM
BLANTYRE, Malawi (AP) — The new president of Malawi was inaugurated Monday after an election that was disputed by his predecessor.
President Peter Mutharika said he wanted to reconcile with former leader Joyce Banda, who did not attend the inauguration at a sports stadium in Blantyre, Malawi's commercial capital. He told cheering supporters that he was sorry she did not come to the ceremony to officially hand over power.
"I came to her with an olive branch in my hand," Mutharika said. "Don't let it drop from my hand."
Banda had sought to annul the May 20 vote because of what she said were irregularities and had called for another election in which she said she would not participate. A court said her move was invalid.
Mutharika is the 74-year-old leader of the Democratic Progressive Party and brother of a president who died in 2012. He is a lawyer and a former foreign minister.
The inauguration was a colorful affair, featuring live music, traditional dances, a 21-gun salute and fly-overs by military helicopters and jets.
Mutharika comes to power at a time when the impoverished country is struggling with fallout from a financial scandal dubbed "Cashgate." Investigators say millions of dollars in public funds were siphoned off by politicians and businessmen in collusion.
Ken Msonda: 'DPP has bounced back through back door'
03 June 2014 13:22
by YAMIKANI SIMUTOWE
BLANTYRE (MaraPost)--Despite conceding defeat to Peter Mutharika, People's Party of dejected former President Joyce Banda still contend that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has bounced into power through what it calls the "back door".
"History repeats itself, DPP has bounced back, though through the back door; come 2019 PP shall bounce back through the front door," said PP spokesperson Kenneth Msonda on Tuesday.
He then hailed Joyce Banda, founder and leader of PP, for handling the transition of power to Peter Mutharika in a democratic manner, catalyst for national building.
"She has demonstrated that she is a true daughter of Africa, a leader who has the welfare of her people at heart, a God fearing leader. We in Peoples Party thank God for giving us such a leader," he said.
Outspoken Msonda also commended PP supporters for maintaining peace and order during the 8 days of legal battle against announcement of determination of results by the Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec).
According to him, It was a very difficult and traumatic period; for the country's young democracy.
"Our young democracy was at threat and still is at threat. I believe in my heart of hearts that despite the loss God is saying something.
"There is a reason and purpose why He allowed it to happen," said Msonda.
He claimed that they would have won if the elections were conducted in a democratic, free and fair manner.
Msonda also hinted that the party's National Executive Committee will meet to look at lessons learnt and map the way forward.
Peter Mutharika was officially inaugurated on Monday at Kamuzu stadium in the commercial capital Blantyre.
Banda did not attend the ceremony, claiming she was not officially invited and had her alternative transport after the official motorcade was withdrawn from her.
In his inaugural speech, Mutharika claimed to have invited the former President and that she refused to attend the ceremony and hand over power through the ceremonial hand shake.
"I regret that the former president has declined to come and hand over power to me.
"I was looking forward to shaking her hand. I have to come to her with an olive branch in my hand. Don't let it drop from my hand," said Mutharika.
The inaugural ceremony was however attended by Botswana president Seretse Khama Ian Khama, Tanzania Vice president Mohammed Bilal, former president Bakili Muluzi, United Democratic Front (UDF) leader Atupele Muluzi, former vice presidents Justin Malewezi and Khumbo Hastings Kachali and other representatives of several neighbouring countries.
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| Peter Mutharika is the new president of Malawi. |
June 2, 2014 11:55 AM
BLANTYRE, Malawi (AP) — The new president of Malawi was inaugurated Monday after an election that was disputed by his predecessor.
President Peter Mutharika said he wanted to reconcile with former leader Joyce Banda, who did not attend the inauguration at a sports stadium in Blantyre, Malawi's commercial capital. He told cheering supporters that he was sorry she did not come to the ceremony to officially hand over power.
"I came to her with an olive branch in my hand," Mutharika said. "Don't let it drop from my hand."
Banda had sought to annul the May 20 vote because of what she said were irregularities and had called for another election in which she said she would not participate. A court said her move was invalid.
Mutharika is the 74-year-old leader of the Democratic Progressive Party and brother of a president who died in 2012. He is a lawyer and a former foreign minister.
The inauguration was a colorful affair, featuring live music, traditional dances, a 21-gun salute and fly-overs by military helicopters and jets.
Mutharika comes to power at a time when the impoverished country is struggling with fallout from a financial scandal dubbed "Cashgate." Investigators say millions of dollars in public funds were siphoned off by politicians and businessmen in collusion.
Ken Msonda: 'DPP has bounced back through back door'
03 June 2014 13:22
by YAMIKANI SIMUTOWE
BLANTYRE (MaraPost)--Despite conceding defeat to Peter Mutharika, People's Party of dejected former President Joyce Banda still contend that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has bounced into power through what it calls the "back door".
"History repeats itself, DPP has bounced back, though through the back door; come 2019 PP shall bounce back through the front door," said PP spokesperson Kenneth Msonda on Tuesday.
He then hailed Joyce Banda, founder and leader of PP, for handling the transition of power to Peter Mutharika in a democratic manner, catalyst for national building.
"She has demonstrated that she is a true daughter of Africa, a leader who has the welfare of her people at heart, a God fearing leader. We in Peoples Party thank God for giving us such a leader," he said.
Outspoken Msonda also commended PP supporters for maintaining peace and order during the 8 days of legal battle against announcement of determination of results by the Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec).
According to him, It was a very difficult and traumatic period; for the country's young democracy.
"Our young democracy was at threat and still is at threat. I believe in my heart of hearts that despite the loss God is saying something.
"There is a reason and purpose why He allowed it to happen," said Msonda.
He claimed that they would have won if the elections were conducted in a democratic, free and fair manner.
Msonda also hinted that the party's National Executive Committee will meet to look at lessons learnt and map the way forward.
Peter Mutharika was officially inaugurated on Monday at Kamuzu stadium in the commercial capital Blantyre.
Banda did not attend the ceremony, claiming she was not officially invited and had her alternative transport after the official motorcade was withdrawn from her.
In his inaugural speech, Mutharika claimed to have invited the former President and that she refused to attend the ceremony and hand over power through the ceremonial hand shake.
"I regret that the former president has declined to come and hand over power to me.
"I was looking forward to shaking her hand. I have to come to her with an olive branch in my hand. Don't let it drop from my hand," said Mutharika.
The inaugural ceremony was however attended by Botswana president Seretse Khama Ian Khama, Tanzania Vice president Mohammed Bilal, former president Bakili Muluzi, United Democratic Front (UDF) leader Atupele Muluzi, former vice presidents Justin Malewezi and Khumbo Hastings Kachali and other representatives of several neighbouring countries.
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