By Rex Chikoko
Former Malawi President Joyce Banda snubbed the inauguration ceremony of her successor President Peter Mutharika despite her name appearing on the protocol list of dignitaries that were to grace the ceremony held in Blantyre.
Also missing at the auspicious occasion was Malawi Congress Party (MCP) President Lazarus Chakwera, who come second in the elections. Mr Chakwera, who scored 27 per cent of the national votes, believes he was the ultimate winner of the elections.
The inauguration of the Malawi’s fifth president was attended by Botswana President Khama Ian Khama, Tanzania’s Vice President, Zimbabwe’s Minister of foreign affairs and Mozambique’s Minister of Internal Affairs among other representatives of different governments represented in Malawi.
Despite conceding defeat in the elections, former President Banda and other major contender Mr Chakwera seems very bitter with the outcome of the results which was characterised with irregularities.
The two believe the opposition Democratic Progressive Party that Mutharika rigged the election.
Former President Bakili Muluzi and two former Vice Presidents Justine Malewezi and Khumbo Kachale attended the ceremony.
At the ceremony, Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Commander Henry Odillo presented the sword of authority to the President symbolising the transfer of power.
He later inspected guard of honour mounted by the MDF and was treated to military displays.
In his inaugural address, President Mutharika expressed regret that Ms Banda declined to hand over power to him.
“I have no intention of revenging and vengeance. However I took an oath to defend the constitution, and who ever broke will face a full course of justice,” he said, he highlighted some of the victimisation he went through under Ms Banda’s reign.
Mr Mutharika then invited all presidential candidates that competed against him to help in building the country.
He said his focus is on economic recovery.
“We will take a bottom up approach in the economic recovery. We will be prudent,” he said.
On foreign policy, Mr Mutharika said his government’s policy will be based on what is good for Malawians.
“But our foreign policy will be extended to new friends including China and new new friends including Brazil and other countries that form Brics,” he said.
He said his government will have a lean cabinet of 20 ministers including deputies and that the money saved should be used in other important aspect of the service provision including purchase of medicine.
He said his government will focus in fighting corruption and infrastructure development, provision of subsidised agriculture materials, iron sheets and cement, introduction of community college and empower Ministry of Labour–to become of of the key ministries.
He also said the country will train more police officers and military to enforce security.
Mr Mutharika was born in 1940 in Malawi.
He is a trained lawyer and lecturer. He taught in Tanzania, Ethiopia, United Kingdom and United States of America.
He was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 2009 and held several portfolio including Minister of Justice, Education and Foreign Affairs in late President Bingu wa Mutharika.
Source: Daily Nation