New Malawian President

We are glad that after the death of Malawi's President Bingu wa Mutharika, things have stayed peaceful.  There was some concern that there could be trouble but the vice President was sworn in last night.  For the most part people seemed happy about having her.  We all hope that she can improve relations with other countries and fix the fuel situation.   The queues for fuel are just unreal this past week.  Even tonight coming home from Liwonde there were some terrible traffic jams due to fuel queues.    Hopefully we can get some diesel ourselves this week. 

 

FYI  ...  Here's an article I found on the internet about the new President. 

 

Malawi's Vice President Joyce Banda has become Africa's third female head of state after taking over as the country's president following the death of Bingu wa Mutharika.

April 8, 2012 - Lilongwe

Malawi's Vice President Joyce Banda has become Africa's third female head of state after taking over as the country's president following the death of Bingu wa Mutharika.

Joyce Banda was elected to be the third-ever African head of state on Saturday, after Ethiopian Empress Zewditu and Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Banda, a women's rights activist, described 'restoring relations with donor nations to the poverty stricken nation', as her first challenge.

In an announcement from Lilongwe, Banda ordered a ten-day period of mourning for Mutharika.

"I call upon all Malawians to remain calm and to keep the peace during this time of bereavement," The Christian Science Monitor quoted her, as saying.

According to the report, Banda's succession as the next President was doubtful as the announcement of Mutharika's death was delayed, and some ministers had even claimed that Banda was ineligible for the job.

Mutharika, a former World Bank economist, had a tensed relationship with Banda following a dispute over Mutharika intentions to have his brother, Peter, to take over as presidential candidate in the 2014 elections, to which Banda had reportedly objected.

She eventually left the Democratic Progresive Party (DPP) and formed her own opposition, People's Party.

Mutharika had allegedly tried to have her removed as vice president, but the effort was futile as under Malawi's Constitution, it is the parliament and not the president who can remove a vice president.

Read more: http://www.andhranews.net/Intl/2012/Malawis-President-Joyce-Banda-becomes-Africas-4013.htm#ixzz1rSs75smC