APM pledges peace

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) leader Arthur Peter Mutharika was sworn in as Malawi’s fifth President during a ceremony held at the High Court in Blantyre on Saturday.

In his post-oath remarks, the new President immediately pledged to lead an “inclusive, tolerant and non-confrontation” government.

Mutharika won the controversial election with about 1.9 million of the votes cast or 36.4 percent.

He saw off Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) who got roughly 1.45 million votes or 27.8 percent, incumbent Joyce Banda of People’s Party (PP) who received around one million or 20.2 percent, Atupele Muluzi of United Democratic Front (UDF) who amassed roughly 717 000 votes or 13.7 percent and eight others who shared less than two percent of the ballots cast.

Vice-President Saulos Chilima was the first to take his oath of office before Mutharika stepped onto the podium. Mutharika had to retake his oath of office because he was initially sworn in without holding a Bible.

Among other senior government figures that witnessed the swearing-in ceremony were Chief Secretary Hawa Ndilowe and Attorney General Anthony Kamanga.

Former first lady Callista Mutharika, former deputy speaker of Parliament and parliamentarian-elect Esther Mcheka Chilenje and former People’s Party spokesperson and legislator-elect Hophmally Makande, among other political figures, were also present at the ceremony.

Making a brief speech at the High Court after being sworn in by Chief Justice Anastasia Msosa, Mutharika, 74, said his immediate task is to ensure peace is maintained in the country.

He said he will hit the ground running and prioritise restructuring of the economy which, he said, was “on the verge of collapse”. He also said he would improve the social sector.

Mutharika, later addressing the press at his house in Nyambadwe in Blantyre, said he will fulfil his campaign promises of, among others, appointing a lean cabinet of 20 ministers, reducing presidential powers, reviewing the Constitution and subsidising the price of iron sheets as well as cement.

“I am humbled that Malawians have given the DPP an opportunity to rule Malawi again. I promise to maintain peace in this country, I have no intention to victimise people and there will be no vengeance.

“However, this morning I took an oath to defend the Constitution and where the law has been breached, we will let the law to take its course,” he said.

But the new President refused to make any commitments on Cashgate-related cases which are ongoing in court.

Mutharika said the elections caught the attention of the world and used self-deprecating humour to say maybe it was because a person answering treason charges has made it into government.

He then called upon all presidential candidates that participated in the just-ended election to join hands with him and work together to develop the country.

“I will be talking to them separately. Some of them have fantastic ideas, which we would like to incorporate,” he said.