This post has already been read 22262 times!
Special correspondent
Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika has died after doctors at Kamuzu
Central Hospital failed to resuscitate him when he suffered a cardiac
arrest earlier in the day. The 78-year-old President was taken to the
hospital in the capital Thursday morning after he reportedly
collapsed.
“The President has died,” said a top government official
who declined to be named. First Lady Callista and three of Mutharika’s
four children were at the hospital with the President. Others were his
brother Peter and State House Chief of Staff Edward Sawerengera.
Health Minister Jean Kalirani and IG Peter Mukhito were also there.
The news will inevitably lead to speculation about Malawi’s political
future but the Constitution says Vice President takes over until the
next elections. Malawi’s president Bingu wa Mutharika was this morning
hospitalised in the intensive care unit at Kamuzu Central Hospital in
the capital Lilongwe.
Doctors and nurses who asked for anonymity have said that the
President in shock when he was taken to the intensive care unit.
“We have called for medication from some private hospital to treat the
shock before he can be airlifted,” said one of the medical staff.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were
not authorized to speak to journalists, said 78-year-old President
Bingu wa Mutharika was taken to a Lilongwe hospital Thursday morning.
Further details on his condition were not immediately available.
Mutharika is a former World Bank official once heralded for his
stewardship of a southern African country that is among the world’s
poorest. In recent years, he has been accused of trampling on
democratic rights.
Mutharika first came to power in a 2004 election, and was
overwhelmingly re-elected five years later. Elections are not due
again in Malawi until 2014.
During his first term, Mutharika persisted with a program to help
farmers buy fertilizer even though Western donor nations and agencies
said subsidies should be avoided in a free market. His subsidies were
credited with boosting Malawi’s economy.
In more recent years, the economy has stumbled, with shortages of fuel
and foreign currency and high unemployment.
Anti-government demonstrations across Malawi last year were met with
an unprecedented security crackdown that resulted in at least 19
deaths.
Malawi’s relations with foreign donors have been strained by
accusations Mutharika is authoritarian and responsible for human
rights abuses. Last month, a U.S. aid agency that rewards good
governance suspended $350 million worth of assistance to Malawi.
Mutharika also has clashed with politicians at home, including his own
vice president, Joyce Banda. She was expelled from Mutharika’s party
and formed her own but remains vice president and under the
constitution would become president if there was a sudden vacancy at
the top
This post has already been read 22262 times!
Hastings Mailosi
April 6, 2012 at 5:24 AM
If he is dead may his soul rest in peace
victoria Queen Kacheche
April 6, 2012 at 6:32 AM
oh!may his soul rest in peace
Collings car-lulu
April 6, 2012 at 6:49 AM
The Malawian president is not dead but he has been transfered from kamuzu central hosptal to big hosptal in china
K maan
April 6, 2012 at 7:31 AM
Muyende bwino,mukandiperekere moni.Tidzamuika ku “Zolozolo”komwe timaika amzawo apa 20 july.
akamwire
April 6, 2012 at 7:44 AM
its sad that government officials are not saing the truth on this bt its well known. maliro sitibisa.
Edward kavnda
April 6, 2012 at 7:48 AM
All people ur r in u should have shamed of your self coz ur totaly nonsense they iz no human being which does not atacked by deaseas even u mumadwara muthu asadware chitani ma nyazi my number if you have some ? 0881740065
Malawian
April 6, 2012 at 8:23 AM
We deserve to be told the truth dead or alive – he is our president.
ziddy
April 6, 2012 at 8:47 AM
Gyz umboni ngati mulinawo ndizoona koma ngati mulibe umboni ndizabodza koma chomwe ndikudziwa ine ndichakuti wadwalika moti akapulumuka ndikuchira azipephera kwambiri
Candy cand
April 6, 2012 at 8:49 AM
Its sad…
citzen
April 6, 2012 at 9:05 AM
@malawian-if he is dead, he is no longer your president
Chilembwe ju
April 6, 2012 at 10:14 AM
R.I.P: MR PRESIDENT
R.I.P: DPP
R.I.P: MALAWI
MULUNGU
April 7, 2012 at 12:56 PM
Ambuye sangalole kuti anthu osalakwa azunzike chifukwa cha munthu m’modzi
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