Peter Mutharika was sworn in Saturday as Malawi’s new president after his arch-rival and predecessor Joyce Banda congratulated him and urged the country to move on from the disputed vote. Mutharika, the brother of president Bingu wa Mutharika who died in office in 2012, appealed to the 11 other presidential candidates to “join me in rebuilding the country” after some — including Banda — contested the results. Joining Vice President Saulos Chilima in taking the oath of office before a chief justice, Mutharika said he felt “very humbled” to stand as the fifth president of the impoverished southern African nation.
“It’s obvious we are facing serious problems in this country. All of us together, let us build the country which is almost on the verge of collapse,” Mutharika said in his first speech since being declared president late Friday.
Conceding defeat earlier on Saturday, Banda congratulated Mutharika for his “victory in a closely contested election,” according to a statement.
The results of the May 20 vote were announced on Friday minutes after the high court refused a last-ditch attempt to block their release and allow time for a recount.
The electoral commission said Mutharika took 36.4 percent of the votes cast against Banda’s 20.2 percent, with the commission chief Maxon Mbendera declaring Mutharika “president-elect”.
Full Article: Malawi’s New President Sworn in after Disputed Elections — Naharnet.