Malawi's Main Opposition Finally Concede Defeat

Malawi's main opposition party, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has finally moved forward to congratulate Bingu wa MutharikaBingu wa Mutharika and accept him as a winner of the 19th May Presidential elections.

Speaking to a local radio MCP's spokesperson, Ismael Chafukira accepted the outcome of the results as announced by Malawi Electoral Commission in the early hours of Friday morning, 22nd May. Chafukira emphasised that Mutharika had won the elections fairly and that his party (MCP) had been beaten "hands down".

Earlier on Thursday afternoon MCP's president, John Tembo called a press conference at his house in Lilongwe where he told the gathered journalists that he was not going to accept the outcome of the election as he was convinced that his party had fallen victim of vote rigging. His running mate Brown Mpinganjira also re-emphasised the the same point on Thursday.

The only presidential candidate to have not formally accept defeat is NARC's Loveness Gondwe who was the first to deny the elections results way before the counting was finished.

Meanwhile, Mutharika has been sworn in on Friday, 22nd May at Kamuzu Stadium in the commercial city of Blantyre. Among the notable foreign delegates was Zimbabwe president, Robert MugabeRobert Mugabe and Zambian president, Rupia Banda.

Also in attendance at the ceremony was Malawi's former president, Bakili Muluzi and former vice presidents, Justin Malewezi and Cassim Chilumpha.

In his inaugural speech, Mutharika, 75, assured Malawians that he is a president of all Malawi regardless of their political affiliations, religions or race. He promised to work with opposition parties as that was the only way forward for the country. He also assured Malawians that he will heal all the "wounds and scars" that had been inflicted during the campaign period.

Mutharika will be serving his second and last five years term in office.