MCC applauds Malawians
The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) has applauded Malawians for a peaceful transition following the death of Malawi’s third president Bingu wa Mutharika.
Mutharika died last Thursday following a cardiac arrest and former Vice-President Joyce Banda ascended to power on Saturday to become Malawi’s first female president.
In a statement released this week, MCC chief executive officer Daniel Yohannes also consoled late president Bingu wa Mutharika’s wife Callista, the bereaved family and Malawians.
“MCC applauds the constitutional transition of power and congratulates the Malawian people on this important step forward for democracy in their country and in Africa,†Yohannes said.
He added that the compact conditions remain a clear commitment to good governance, economic freedom and investing in a country’s citizens.
During a news briefing on Monday, President Banda disclosed that she had spoken to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to whom she delivered the country’s concerns over the suspension of the MCC $350 million (about K56 billion) grant.
During its meeting in March, the MCC Board suspended the grant to Malawi, citing, among others, Malawi’s bold stand to host Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on genocide charges.
Meanwhile, the African Union Commission has also consoled Banda, the Mutharika family and all Malawians.
