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.
The Pretes and Collins met us about half way between Blantyre and Lilongwe (at Liwonde) and we travelled 45 minutes by boat to get to the Wilderness Camp, where we spent 3 nights. It was a great getaway with some great friends. Bro. Collins works for USAID (with education) here in Malawi. They have been such a wonderful help for the Branches in Lilongwe. We would have had a hard time without their help up there.
We actually went out into the park several times and always had the same driver/guide. He was really quite good and knew the names of all the birds, plants, trees and animals. He prided himself on never getting stuck and having to call for help..... until now! He went off the edge of the road into a rut and the more he tried to get out the deeper in we went. Finally he decided he was not going to get himself out and called for help. ;) It was quite wet and muddy still out in the bush but he drove a 4 wheel drive and we got through a lot of mud holes and water ways.
