By Zach Waksman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa
LILONGWE, Malawi – Joyce Banda was sworn in as Malawi’s first female president on Saturday, a week after the death of President Bingu wa Mutharika, whose party expelled her after a disagreement over whether his brother Peter could succeed him. The former vice president takes on the task of rebuilding a crumbling economy and restoring confidence in government.
“The first priority would be to revamp the economy and ensure that there is good governance,” said Banda. “I know this is a great challenge but I thank all Malawians for having confidence in me.”
She took her first steps in that process on Monday, firing Police Inspector General Peter Mukhito. Once hailed by Mutharika as the best IG Malawi ever had, Mukhito’s departure came as a surprise to some. Banda’s administration did not provide an explanation, but his handling of recent events may have been a factor. The country faced anti-government protests about the economy last July. In response to the rallies, Malawian police fired into the crowds, killing at least 19 people.
Mukhito garnered fame for his questioning a lecturer about his comparisons between the Arab Spring uprisings and the country’s fuel crisis last year. The incident escalated to the point that Chancellor College, part of the University of Malawi, was forced to close. According to the People’s Party (PP) Orange Intellectuals, the youth wing of Banda’s political party, the conflict over academic freedom raged for eight months. It welcomed the change in leadership.
“This could not have come at a better time,” said National Coordinator Edgar Chipalanjira, a student at the since-reopened Chancellor College. “Honestly, it was hell under the former IG who was ironically dubbed ‘finest ever’ by the late President. Those were the days no Malawian would wish to experience again.”
Banda has appointed commissioner Lot Dzonzi to replace Mukhito.
She will face a stiffer challenge on economic issues. In the year before his death, Mutharika had a falling out with the United Kingdom, who cut off its aid to Malawi. This has contributed to a shortage of foreign currency, as Mutharika also had poor relations with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Despite these hurdles, and her party’s lack of representation in Parliament, the government does not expect much political wrangling.
“We would like to help the new president to rebuild the country. Malawi at the moment is confronted by several challenges and the new needs support from lawmakers. By working with her, Malawians will benefit from development projects,” said an optimistic Ken Kandodo, the country’s former finance minister. “We had [a] very smooth transition according to the Constitution. There were some people from the national governing council who wanted to disrupt this smooth process but have failed. We should all celebrate because democracy has triumphed.”
But government alone will not be enough to guarantee a successful turnaround. Banda has emphasized the need to reestablish relations with foreign exchanges and to build up its own industries once again.
“The economy is on a downward spiral with challenges of availability of foreign exchange, fuel shortages and failure to pay civil servant on time or at all,” Banda said last May. “The private sector is constrained to take an active role. The country needs to urgently find alternative sources of foreign exchange.”
For more information, please see:
BBC — Malawi’s New President Sacks Police Chief Mukhito — 9 April 2012
Daily Times (Malawi) — Banda Tipped on Priorities — 9 April 2012
Daily Times (Malawi) — Industry Hopeful with New Regime — 9 April 2012
Nyasa Times — PP “Intellectuals” Hail Appointment of New Police Chief — 9 April 2012
Malawi Voice — Inspector of Police Mukhito Fired; Dzonzi Takes Over — 8 April 2012
New York Times — In Mourning, Malawi Swears in a New President — 7 April 2012
