African leaders mourn president wa Mutharika

Malawian government and the people of Malawi on the passing away of president Bingu wa Mutharika. “On behalf of the Government and the people of South Africa, president Jacob Zuma has expressed his heartfelt condolences to President Mutharika’s wife and children, family, Government and the people of Malawi,” Ministry of International Relations and Co-operation spokesperson Clayson Monyela said in a statement. President Zuma also said, “We call on the people of Malawi to remain calm. We are confident that Malawi’s democratic institutions will ensure a peaceful and orderly transition.”
Tanzanian president Jakaya Kikwete in his condolence message said that Tanzania as a nation had received the news of President Mutharika’s death with shock and grief.
President Kikwete described the deceased as a leader who has been close to him and a friend of Tanzania. The president said: “The people of Tanzania have received the news about the death of President Bingu wa Mutharika with shock and a lot of grief. He was a close friend of mine. He also had Tanzania close to his heart. “He was also a reliable leader who was respected by Southern African Development Community (Sadc) member nations and Africa in general,” the president wrote in his condolence message.
President Kikwete said Africa had lost a strong leader who was in the forefront in defending the rights of the continent and welfare of its people.
“We will always remember him for his determination to fight for unity, peace, tranquility and the development of Malawi and Tanzania and Africa in general,” he wrote.
“On behalf of the government and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania and on my own behalf, I send my sincere condolences to you (Vice-President Joyce Banda), to the family of the departed president and to the people of Malawi following the untimely death of President Bingu wa Mutharika”, read president Kikwete’s statement
Zambian president Michael Sata said he was deeply saddened by the untimely death of President wa Mutharika. In a statement, president Sata said Zambians felt profoundly sorry on the loss of a true friend and shared Malawi’s sadness during this period of enormous pain.
President Sata said Zambia particularly remembers president President wa Mutha-rika for the many years he spent in the country during his tenure as Secretary-General of Comesa. He also said President wa Mutha-rika’s sudden death was a great loss not only for the people of Malawi, but for the Southern African region and the continent as a whole. President Sata said the late president will also be remembered as a great reformer who championed the cause of humanity and dedicated his life to selfless service up to the time of his death. President Sata added that President Mutharika will be sorely missed by all who knew him for the ideals that he firmly stood for.
President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria said he had received with sadness news of the sudden death of president Bingu Wa Mutharika. He extended sincere condolences to the late president’s family as well as the government and people of Malawi.
President Jonathan assured the people of Malawi of the sympathy and solidarity of the people of Nigeria and Africa as they mourn late president who was also Chairperson of the African Union from January, 2010 to January, 2011. President Jonathan prayed for the peaceful repose of president wa Mutharika’s soul.  The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday mourned the death of president wa Mutharika.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr Ban said he was saddened by President wa Mutharika’s death, and offered his condolences “to the bereaved family, the Government and the people of Malawi.”
Mr Ban welcomed the peaceful transition in the country, and said he looked forward to working with the Government under acting President Joyce Banda. — Xinhua/Tanzania Daily News/Lusaka Times/ZNBC/pmnewsnigeria.com/www.un.org.