Mutharika calls for unity

NEWLY-ELECTED President Peter Mutharika has called on the people of Malawi to be united and share a common vision of developing the country as the nation embarks on “a long journey of hope”.
“We must strive for unity of purpose, oneness of vision. We may belong to different political parties, but we belong to one nation. We voted for different parties, but we all voted for development,” he said in his inauguration address yesterday, which was held at a stadium in the commercial capital Blantyre.

President Mutharika takes over despite facing treason charges for attempting to conceal the death in office two years ago of his brother, Bingu wa Mutharika, in an alleged bid to prevent Banda – then vice-president – from assuming power.

“It’s been a long journey,” Mutharika said of his ascent to power. “We didn’t know we would reach this far and be here today.”
“I have been imprisoned and tried on flimsy charges of treason,” he said.”I have been teargassed three times. But that’s all in the past.”
He said he had no intention of “revenging or vengeance”.

He extended a hand of reconciliation to the 11 candidates who contested with him in the presidential race: “We need collective participation in development. That is why I have extended a hand of reconciliation to my colleagues who contested for this highest office.

“I offer them a new way of doing politics in Malawi: Respect, Consultation, Integrity and Honesty. I offer them a progressive way of doing politics which should not push us asunder, but rather bring us together.

“Together we can do more for each other. Together we can do more for our communities. Together we can do more for our country.”
The ceremony was attended by several heads of state and government but boycotted by outgoing president Joyce Banda, who was soundly beaten by Mutharika in disputed elections held on May 20.

Zimbabwe was represented by Minister of Foreign Affairs Simbarashe Mumbengegwi.
Mutharika regretted Banda’s absence, saying she had “declined to come here and hand over power to me. I was looking forward to shaking her hand and burying the past. I have an olive branch in my hands.”

A spokesperson for Banda said: “She was not officially invited and her official presidential convoy was withdrawn in the early hours of Saturday as soon as it was announced that Peter Mutharika had won the presidency.

“It would have been difficult for the outgoing president to travel to Blantyre.”
Mutharika also said donor nations were “welcome to stay here”.

But he added that Malawi, which is traditionally dependent on Western aid donors, will look for “new friends” in countries such as China and Russia, and that its foreign policy would be based on what is best for Malawi.

“We will continue with traditional relationships, but we are now looking for new friends in emerging economies such as Brazil, China, India, South Africa and Russia.”
Turning to the so-called “Cashgate” scandal, President Mutharika said: “In the last 12 months or so, there were a number of crimes committed against the state, for example, the infamous Cashgate scandal. I wish to state that the Cashgate investigations which Her Excellency Dr Joyce Banda started will be pursued and concluded justly.”

Meanwhile, some Western nations – Britain, Spain and the United States – have pledged to work with President Mutharika’s government.
“The UK government looks forward to working with President Mutharika and his government on our shared goals of strengthening Malawi’s democracy, food security, prosperity and its positive role within the region,” Foreign Office Minister for Africa Mark Simmonds said in a weekend statement.

A statement signed by an official from the Spanish government, Javier  Domínguez  Reguero, said: “Spain looks forward to working with President Mutharika for a more prosperous Malawi with  stable  democratic  institutions  to  tackle  the  economic  and  social  challenges  of  the country.’’

The US State department also “looks forward to continuing our close partnership with the government of Malawi in the advance of our mutual interests of supporting Malawi’s development”.

The treason charges against Mutharika are likely to be dropped as Malawian presidents have immunity from prosecution while in office.
Banda had alleged anomalies in the election and sought to have the vote nullified.

Legal attempts to force a recount failed and the electoral commission declared Mutharika winner with 36,4 percent of the votes cast against Banda’s 20,2  percent.
Banda on Saturday congratulated Mutharika on his victory.

Mutharika, wearing a black suit with a white shirt and blue tie, entered the stadium in a Land Rover, waving a blue hat to a cheering crowd that filled the stadium. – Herald Reporter/AFP.