At 85, Malawi’s new president promises to tackle corruption and heal divides: Video
Malawi’s newly elected president, Arthur Peter Mutharika, was sworn in on Saturday at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre after several years out of office.
The 85-year-old leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won the presidential election with 56.8 percent of the vote, defeating his political opponents, including the immediate past president Lazarus Chakwera.
Taking the oath of office before thousands of supporters, Mutharika pledged to unite Malawians beyond tribal and party lines and warned public officials against corruption and abuse of power.
“To all my friends in the DPP and anyone in public office, remember this: Malawi belongs to all Malawians. This country does not belong to any person, any tribe, or any political party,” Mutharika declared to loud applause.
He also issued a stern warning to those who might seek to exploit his return to power.
“I will not allow anyone to destroy this country under my watch, and I mean anyone. Whether you are a party official or whoever you are, I will go after you,” he said.
During the ceremony, the chief justice presented Mutharika with the presidential coat of arms, which symbolised his return to the country’s highest office.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
