Mutharika was sworn in as president of Malawi for a second term
Peter Mutharika, who was sworn in on Saturday for a second term as president of Malawi, vowed to eradicate government corruption and revive the country’s faltering economy.
Last month, Mutharika, 85, won almost 56% of the vote, defeating outgoing president Lazarus Chakwera, 70, who received 33%. After five years of a deepening economic disaster in one of the world’s poorest nations, Chakwera was rejected by voters.
The vote on September 16 was the fourth time Mutharika and Chakwera had run for president.
LARGE CROWD FOR THE CEREMONY IN BLANTYRE DRAWS
Mutharika took the oath of office in a stadium in the commercial city of Blantyre, which was crowded with African heads of state, government representatives, and supporters wearing the blue and white colors of the Democratic Progressive Party.
He said in his inauguration address that his administration was taking over an economically distressed nation.
According to him, Malawi is dealing with severe food shortages, pressures from the expense of life, and a lack of foreign exchange that has destroyed enterprises and resulted in ongoing fuel shortages.
“The government has no funds. “The rate of borrowing is very high, and no one is aware of the whereabouts of the borrowed funds,” he stated.
However, he promised to make changes, declaring, “We will fix this country.”
“I wouldn’t guarantee you honey and milk. He vowed to put in a lot of effort and make difficult choices. “The honeymoon of looting government is over!”
Mutharika also made a call for investment from the global community. Speaking directly to U.S. President Donald Trump, he announced that he would shortly send a delegation to the United States to discuss his country’s prospects, particularly in light of the reductions in U.S. foreign aid.
Although the outgoing president did not attend the inauguration, Chakwera’s Malawi Congress Party issued a statement wishing Mutharika well and success.
