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Malawi
Malawi’s President Joyce Banda was reportedly “incandescent with anger” over her office statement labeling Madonna a bully.
Joyce Banda said she was unaware of the critical statement that was issued by her office following Madonna’s recent visit to Malawi, senior officials have said.
The statement accused Madonna of exaggerating her contribution to Malawi and demanding VIP treatment.
Madonna, who was visiting her charity in Malawi, hit back at the criticisms.
The singer described them as lies and said she began her involvement in Malawi seven years ago “with honorable intentions”.
Malawi’s President Joyce Banda was reportedly incandescent with anger over her office statement labeling Madonna a bully
The statement, issued on Wednesday, accused Madonna of wanting Malawi “to be forever chained to the obligation of gratitude”.
It claimed Madonna believed the government should have “rolled out a red carpet and blast the 21-gun salute” upon her arrival in Malawi.
The statement also accused the star telling “the whole world that she is building schools in Malawi when she has actually only contributed to the construction of classrooms”.
Emily Banda, head of Malawi’s NGO board, said that although President Joyce Banda “did not approve” or indeed know about the statement, there would be no apology for the mistake.
Some of the criticism of Madonna’s charity work was justified, she said.
In response to the statement, Madonna’s charity Raising Malawi said that she “did not ever ask or demand special treatment at the airport or elsewhere” during her visit and would not “be distracted or discouraged by other people’s political agendas”.
Madonna said in the statement that she saw “with my own eyes the 10 new primary schools in Kasungu province that Raising Malawi… completed this year,” during her recent visit.
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Malawi is accusing Madonna of “bullying state officials” after the singer reportedly complained about her treatment on a recent visit to the country.
Madonna – who has adopted two Malawian-born children – recently visited 10 primary schools funded by her charity.
Malawi’s government accused Madonna of exaggerating her contribution to the country and demanding VIP treatment.
Malawi is accusing Madonna of bullying state officials after she complained about her treatment on a recent visit to the country
The singer’s manager accused Malawi’s government of having a “grudge” against her charity, Raising Malawi.
Trevor Neilson also accused the government of financial mismanagement of school project funds, and of “harassing organizations that Raising Malawi has donated to”.
Madonna was said to have been angered that she and her entourage were stripped of their VIP status on their way out of the country, the Daily Telegraph reported.
They had to line up with other passengers at the airport and were frisked by security officials, the report said.
The change in status was said to be the result of a public spat about her charitable work in Malawi.
A harshly-worded statement issued by the office of President Joyce Banda on Wednesday accused Madonna of wanting Malawi “to be forever chained to the obligation of gratitude”.
“Granted, Madonna is a famed international musician. But that does not impose an injunction of obligation on any government under whose territory Madonna finds herself, including Malawi, to give her state treatment. Such treatment, even if she deserved it, is discretionary not obligatory,” said the statement.
The statement accused Madonna of being “a musician who desperately thinks she must generate recognition by bullying state officials instead of playing decent music on the stage”.
It added: “Among the many things that Madonna needs to learn as a matter of urgency is the decency of telling the truth.
“For her to tell the whole world that she is building schools in Malawi when she has actually only contributed to the construction of classrooms is not compatible with manners of someone who thinks she deserves to be revered with state grandeur.”
Trevor Neilson said buildOn, the non-profit group that partnered with Raising Malawi to construct the schools, was “mystified” by the claims about school buildings.
“They went through every step of every process required to build a school in Malawi, and the schools were built in the model of schools all across the country,” he said.
Adding: “Madonna is the largest individual philanthropist in Malawi. We will continue to fund programmes that support children in Malawi.”
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Joyce Banda has been sworn in as Malawi’s president following the death of Bingu wa Mutharika.
Joyce Banda, who had been Malawi’s Vice-President since 2009, becomes southern Africa’s first female head of state after taking the oath before parliament in the Malawian capital, Lilongwe.
She was cheered and applauded before, during and after the ceremony.
Bingu wa Mutharika, 78, went into cardiac arrest on Thursday, although his death was not confirmed until Saturday.
The delay in announcing his death had prompted fears of a power struggle.
There had been speculation that the late president’s inner circle was trying to circumvent Malawi’s constitution to prevent Joyce Banda from taking over and instead install his brother, Foreign Minister Peter Mutharika.
Joyce Banda has been sworn in as Malawi’s president following the death of Bingu wa Mutharika
Joyce Banda had fallen out with Bingu wa Mutharika in 2010 and became one of his fiercest critics. She was expelled from the ruling Democratic People’s Party (DPP) and formed the People’s Party.
Joyce Banda was elected as vice-president in 2009 and Bingu wa Mutharika had failed in his attempts to have her removed from her post.
In taking the oath of office, Joyce Banda pledged to “defend and preserve the constitution” and to do right to all manner of people, according to law.
She then asked parliament to stand for two minutes’ silence as a tribute to Bingu wa Mutharika.
Asking Malawians to “focus on mourning our father,” Joyce Banda added: “It is with a great sense of humility and honor that I accept the huge responsibility of that the people of Malawi have entrusted me with.”
At present, there are just a handful of MPs in her party but many more are likely to join now that she is president.
On Friday, Information Minister Patricia Kaliati had said Joyce Banda could not take over as head of state because she had gone into opposition. The UK, the US and the EU all called on Malawi to respect its constitution.
Shortly after Bingu wa Mutharika’s death was confirmed, she addressed journalists, flanked by the heads of the army and police, the attorney general and other officials.
She said funeral arrangements would soon be discussed and that 10 days of national mourning would be held.
She also said preparations were being made to bring Bingu wa Mutharika’s body back from South Africa, where he was taken after his cardiac arrest.
Bingu wa Mutharika governed Malawi for eight years, but was recently accused of mismanaging the economy and becoming increasingly autocratic.
He fell out last year with former colonial ruler Britain, which withdrew its direct aid, accusing the Malawian government of mishandling the economy and of failing to uphold human rights.
Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, with an estimated 75% of the population living on less than $1 a day.
The country has suffered shortages of fuel and foreign currency since the UK and other donors cancelled aid.
Malawian government has confirmed that President Bingu wa Mutharika has died, aged 78.
Bingu wa Mutharika suffered a cardiac arrest on Thursday and state media said he had been flown to South Africa.
Medical and government officials said on Friday that he was dead but there was no formal announcement, leading to fears of a power-struggle.
A government official said on state radio that there would be 10 days of national mourning. “We are sad to announce that the President of Malawi, Bingu wa Mutharika, has died,” Bright Msaka, secretary to the president and cabinet, said in a statement carried by state radio, AFP news agency reported.
“The Milpark Hospital in South Africa has also confirmed his death,” Bright Msaka said.
“There will be 10 days of national mourning, and the constitution will be adhered to in managing the transition.”
Malawian government has confirmed that President Bingu wa Mutharika has died, aged 78
The delay in announcing Bingu wa Mutharika’s death had sparked speculation that the president’s allies might try to prevent the vice-president from taking over, as stipulated by the constitution.
Vice-President Joyce Banda fell out with Bingu wa Mutharika in 2010 over the succession and she was expelled from the ruling Democratic People’s Party (DPP).
The president’s brother, Foreign Minister Peter Mutharika, was lined up to be the DPP’s presidential candidate in the 2014 elections.
Both the UK and the US have called on Malawi to respect the constitution.
Bingu Mutharika governed Malawi for eight years, but was recently accused of mismanaging the economy and becoming increasingly autocratic. He fell out last year with former colonial ruler Britain, which withdrew its direct aid, accusing the Malawian government of mishandling the economy and of failing to uphold human rights.
Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, with an estimated 75% of the population living on less than $1 a day. The country has suffered shortages of fuel and foreign currency since the UK and other donors cancelled aid.
Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika has died, doctors and cabinet ministers have said, but this has not been officially announced.
One of the doctors who treated Bingu wa Mutharika, 78, said the president was “clinically dead” on Thursday after suffering a cardiac arrest.
State media are still reporting that he has been flown to South Africa for medical treatment.
If confirmed, his death would spark a constitutional crisis, analysts say.
According to the constitution, the vice-president takes over if the head of state is incapacitated or dies in office.
But Vice-President Joyce Banda and Bingu wa Mutharika fell out after a row over the succession in 2010, and she was expelled from the ruling Democratic People’s Party (DPP).
Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika was "clinically dead" on Thursday after suffering a cardiac arrest
Bing wa Mutharika’s brother, Foreign Minister Peter Mutharika, was chosen instead of Joyce Banda to be the DPP’s presidential candidate in the 2014 elections.
He has been standing in for the president when needed during official occasions.
Joyce Banda recently said she had not spoken to Bingu wa Mutharika for more than a year.
The doctors and ministers say that Bingu wa Mutharika’s body was taken to South Africa while a decision is taken about what to do next.
Government sources said efforts to resuscitate President Mutharika had failed and that an official announcement is being prepared.
Bingu wa Mutharika, a former World Bank economist, came to power in a 2004 election. Soon afterwards, he dramatically abandoned his United Democratic Front (UDF) party to form the DPP, after accusing leading UDF members of opposing his campaign against corruption.
Since being re-elected with a large majority in 2009, critics allege he has demonstrated an increasingly authoritarian streak.
The president has been under mounting pressure to resign, amid accusations of nepotism and economic mismanagement.
The criticism has led to a souring in relations with major foreign aid donors, especially the United Kingdom.
Last year, Bingu wa Mutharika expelled the UK High Commissioner, Fergus Cochrane-Dyet, after a leaked embassy cable quoted the diplomat as saying that the president could not tolerate criticism.
The Malawian leader said he could not accept “insults” just because the UK was his country’s largest aid donor.
In response, the UK expelled the Malawian envoy to London and cut direct aid.
Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, with an estimated 75% of the population living on less than $1 a day.
The country has suffered shortages of fuel and foreign currency since the UK and other donors cancelled aid.
