Blantyre, Malawi (PANA) – Africa’s second female President Joyce Banda, smarting from a crushing defeat at the hands of her predecessor’s younger brother, grudgingly conceded defeat Saturday after failing to nullify the electoral process.
On the same day, Peter Mutharika was sworn in as Malawi’s new President at the High Court in Blantyre.
The President will be inaugurated at a lavish ceremony at the main sports stadium in the city on Monday.
“I take this opportunity to sincerely congratulate the president-elect, Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika, and the Vice President-elect, Mr. Saulos Klaus Chilima, on their victory in an election that was closely contested,” Banda said in a statement.
”I wish the President-elect and the Vice President-elect every success as they take up the mantle of leadership for the nation of Malawi. It is my prayer that the new president and his government will successfully guide our nation to greater heights of prosperity,” she added.
Banda thanked Malawians for supporting her during her two years in power, saying it was a “delicate time of transition”.
“I am happy that the country is at a better place than was the case when I assumed office in 2012,” she said.
Banda, 64, assumed power following the death of President Bingu wa Mutharika from cardiac arrest complications in his office 5 April 2012.
By the time she assumed office she had been expelled from the then governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for refusing to endorse the anointment of the president’s brother, Peter, to succeed him when he was scheduled to retire after the May 20, 2014 elections.
Following the 78-year-old economist-turned-politician’s sudden death, Peter – now 74, took over the reigns of power in the DPP and immediately started fighting Banda.
Banda, who came a distant third at 20.2% of the national vote in the poll, said “despite isolated incidences of disturbances, Malawians generally embraced peace throughout the election period and exercised impeccable patience as we awaited the conclusion of the elections.
“I would like to urge all Malawians to move forward as one nation, to remain united, to uphold the rule of law, and continue being peaceful and calm as we head into the next fifty years of Malawi’s future.”
Banda did not attend the brief swearing-in ceremony for Mutharika.
“I want to invite the other eleven candidates who competed with me to join me in rebuilding this country,” the new President said after his swearing in.
”We are facing serious problems in this country, no single person can do it alone, this country is almost on the verge of collapse,” he said in a brief address after being sworn in by Chief Justice Anastansia Msosa.
The 2014 election was Malawi’s closest-fought elections since the dawn of multiparty politics in 1994.
Electoral commission head Maxon Mbendera announced the results after the high court refused an effort to stop their release, and declared Mutharika President-elect.
Mutharika won by 36.4 percent while his closest challenger, 59-year-old cleric-turned-politician Lazarus Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), came second at 27.8 percent.
Photo: Oman Observer
