Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika died yesterday at the age of 78 following a heart attack, CNN is reporting. His body was reportedly flown to South Africa, but there is no official word on funeral arrangements, as the government has not yet announced his death.
Amidst the speculation of Mutharika’s death, there’s question of who will succeed him in government. Under Malawi’s constitution, Vice President Joyce Banda should succeed Mutharika. However, in 2010, she was expelled from the ruling Democratic People’s Party after arguing with Mutharika. This led to the president positioning his brother to be his eventual successor, rather than the vice president.
Government spokeswoman Patricia Kaliati has declined to discuss Mutharika’s reported death. She instead has declared that Banda, who created her own party after being expelled from Mutharika’s party, cannot take over the presidency.
Banda has said she’s being kept in the dark about Mutharika’s condition. However, the Malawi Defence Force, which provides the sitting president with security, reportedly changed members amid news of Mutharika’s death.
Kaliati has appealed to Malawi citizens to remain calm amid the news. However, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African affairs Johnnie Carson released a statement, saying “We are concerned about the delay in the transfer of power. We trust that the vice president who is next in line will be sworn in shortly.” Banda also asked Malawians to listen to the constitution regarding the issue of succession.
Written by: Karen Benardello
