Peter takes charge, Promises ‘new’ politics
New President Peter Mutharika, sworn in on Saturday as the country’s fifth Head of State and Government, on Monday called for a unity of purpose.
Delivering his inaugural address under the theme ‘The Will of the People’ at the Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, Mutharika stressed that his focus is to transform the country.
Mutharika, who received a sword of honour from Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Commander General Henry Odillo to officially become Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, pledged new politics from a “new” Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in an apparent reference to the previous DPP administration led by his deceased brother, Bingu wa Mutharika, which, in its second term, exposed the country to economic problems and a poor human rights record.
He said: “DPP has changed. This is a new DPP. This is a new government. Everything we will do will be in the best interest of Malawians.
“You voted for me because you saw that what we need as a country is not vengeance and pretence, but a transformational leader who would take this country to greater heights. Greater heights, indeed I promise you.”
Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) on Friday night declared Mutharika winner of the presidential race in the May 20 Tripartite Elections ahead of Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) who finished second, former president Joyce Banda of People’s Party (PP) on third and Atupele Muluzi of United Democratic Front (UDF) finished fourth in a pack of 12 presidential hopefuls.
The President, who kept digressing from his prepared speech, regretted the absence of his predecessor, Banda, accusing her of refusing to officially hand over power to him.
Ironically, in the prepared speech Mutharika sounded diplomatic in his address to Banda.
He, however, extended the olive branch to her and all other hopefuls in an election whose results some parties disputed, citing “massive” irregularities.
Mutharika said he would invite the losing presidential candidates to one-on-one meetings to share ideas on how to develop the country.
Said Mutharika: “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.”
The President also promised to continue with investigations into the plunder of public resources at Capital Hill widely known as Cashgate. He said those involved in the abuse of public resources will face justice.
Mutharika also repeated his earlier announcement that he would have a lean 20-member Cabinet, inclusive of deputy ministers, to cut on expenditures.
It is yet to be seen if the said smaller Cabinet will be sustained considering that his predecessors, such as Bakili Muluzi and the late Bingu, started with leaner Cabinets that were later bloated to over 40 members in what was largely seen as appeasement to party loyalists and others.
The President highlighted the need to strengthen the Malawi Police Service (MPS), MDF, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) through increased resource allocation to improve service delivery.
Mutharika arrived at the stadium in an open Land Rover with pomp, waving to the crowd which chanted ‘Azisiya! Azisiya!’, in an apparent derogatory reference to Banda’s loss that has seen her stop using the presidential motorcade.
Botswana President Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama, Tanzania Vice-President Mohammed Bilal and representatives of several neighbouring States attended the ceremony.
