After two long weeks of court battles that led to an injunction after injunction, finally the 5th Malawian president was sworn to office on Monday 2nd June 2014. President Peter Mutharika was announced the winner of the presidential race by the chairman of the electoral commission of Malawi (ECM) Maxon Mbandera on 30th June 2014 shortly after the court declined to issue orders restraining ECM from announcing the presidential results and order recount of the votes.
Addressing the nation shortly after he was handed
over the sword of power, President Mutharika assured people of Malawi that his administration
will give security priority, as security is key to sustainable development. He
promised to restore peace, calm and order as well as improve infrastructures.
He also promised to create proper economic, political democratic system that
gives people of Malawi hope. He swore to defend and protect the constitution of
the country and to uphold the rule of law adding that the law must be left
alone to do its work and that the days to use the instruments of justice to
pursue one’s political opponents are long gone.
On corruption, president Mutharika did not have any
soft spot for those who wish to join his cabinet with a corrupt mind and with
an aim of enriching themselves with the public funds as he urged anyone who is
aspiring to be a member of his cabinet with this intention to decline the
appointment because he will not hesitate to have a cabinet minister arrested
and prosecuted if associated with corrupt acts. He further said those who were
in the previous regimes who plundered public funds will be followed until they
pay the last coin.
He called on the people of Malawi to walk the new
beginning together, roll their sleeves and be productive with their lives. “Building
the nation needs a collective effort from all.” Said Mutharika. He promised
that by the end of his five years term, Malawi will see economic growth of up
to 7.5%. To achieve this he said his administration plans to use bottom-up
approach that will involve and directly benefit the ordinary people.
In her congratulatory message to president
Mutharika, the immediate former president of Malawi her Excellency Joyce Banda
urged Malawian to throw their weight behind the new president. She also called
on them to move on as one united nation; to uphold peace and rule of law.
Inauguration of His Excellency Peter Mutharika is
not only good news to the people of Malawi but to the AMECEA Community in
general as Malawi will be hosting the AMECEA 18TH Plenary from 16th
to 26th of July 2014.
Congratulations are in order for the president and the people of
Malawi.
