Mutharika said this on Saturday in Lilongwe when he was arriving from Harare where he paid his last respect to the former Zimbabwe’s president who died last week Friday.

“I think he stood for Africa to be economic sufficient and self-sustaining and not to depend on assistance from outside. I think that’s what he tried to do; he faced all difficulties but I think he stood for the right thing to do for Africa. Mutharika said the continent should strive for Mugabe’s ethos he wanted for Africa to be together.

“We are doing that; in trade, education and sustainable development. That’s what he left,” he said.

President Mutharika said the funeral ceremony was evidence that Mugabe was the great son of Africa who stood for the continent.

“The ceremony was so touching. I was so glad to see Kenneth Kaunda [former Zambia’s President] was there.He is the only one left standing of the great African leaders emancipating the African continent; he is about 95. It was very satisfying," said Mutharika.

The complex remembrance process for the longtime Zimbabwean president continued Saturday with a state funeral.

Mugabe, who was ousted in a 2017 military coup, led Zimbabwe for 37 years and died at a Singapore hospital.