African Elections Project (Accra)
22 May 2009
On the day he received a fresh mandate to lead Malawi for a second and final five-year tem, President Bingu wa Mutharika has extended an olive branch to all opposition parties, urging them to bury what he described as their “political differences”.
While the main challenger to Mutharika, John Tembo of the MCP/UDF alliance, was conspicuous by his absence, his counterpart, former head of state Bakili Muluzi, was in attendance.
Muluzi's gestures throughout the event were full of warmth and goodwill towards Mutharika. The two hugged and exchanged a few pleasantries as Mutharika arrived to take his seat.
Mutharika said it was time for Malawi to heal "bruises of a gruelling campaign" and focus on developing the country. To prove his commitment to this endeavour, the president assured the opposition and all Malawians that he will not practice the politics of vengeance and retribution at all in the next five years.
These sentiments should put to rest rife speculation that Mutharika and his DPP were poised to use their landslide victory to attack and castigate the opposition, especially the MCP/UDF Alliance for frustrating Mutharika's government and the DPP campaign.
In the run-up to the May 19 poll, MCP and UDF launched one attack after the other at DPP, declaring that the party would have no life beyond May 19. Yet, the reverse would seem to be true. However, if Mutharika sticks to his promises, he might just earn himself even more support than what he is already enjoying.
Meanwhile, there has been no official word from John Tembo regarding his future in politics, given Muluzi's presence at Mutharika's inauguration as well as his pledge to support the government of Mutharika.
Editors' note: Report updated to include corrected introductory paragraph.
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Thanks to all Malwians for the courage and determinationn showed during this difficult times. Malawi is God fearing country and lets keep on praying so that God should continue leading us for the better of the future generation. In every election whether church or political the losers always look at things differently but this election has been fair and open, therefore lets work together. Crying will never take us any where. I do not agree that the elections were not fair because we can see m any independent candidates have won showing that people were free to choose the person of their choice. I appeal to Mr Tembo not to waste his time those were the days and gone just give your time to heal and God will bless you and you will retire from politics t peace. THANKS TO Mr MULUZI FOR MENTAINING PEACE.HIS ACCEPTANCE HAS LED TO PEACE AND CALM...ALLAH OR GOD BLESS YOU MULUZI YOU HAVE SHOWN GOOD EXAMPLE. BINGU TREAT MULUZI WITH KINDNESS