Post date: Apr 06, 2012 1:55:51 PM
Malawi's President Bingu wa Mutharika has died after suffering a heart attack on Thursday, medical and government sources say.
The 78-year-old was rushed to a Lilongwe hospital on Thursday (April 5) after collapsing, but was dead on arrival, the sources said.
BLANTYRE, MALAWI (MAY 22, 2009) (REUTERS) - Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika has died after a heart attack, medical and government sources said on Friday (April 6).
The constitution makes clear that Vice-President Joyce Banda is first in line to take over as head of state in the impoverished southern African nation, although Banda's expulsion from the ruling party in 2010 may complicate the transition.
Mutharika, a former World Bank economist who had been accused of despotism and mishandling the economy in his final months, appeared to have been grooming his Foreign Minister brother Peter as his successor.
Peter Mutharika had tended to deputise in his brother's absence.
Police deployed in force across the capital on Thursday after Mutharika's admission to hospital, while 15 army officers took up position around Banda's residence, witnesses said.
Mutharika, who came to power in 2004, was sworn in for a second term on May 22, 2009 after winning re-election on a platform of economic growth and food for the poor.
But before his death, many people viewed Mutharika as an autocrat responsible for chronic
shortages of fuel, food and foreign exchange.