Blantyre, October, 4 Mana:  President Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika has called on Malawians to unite to ensure sustainable socio-economic development of the country, Mutharika made the call on Saturday at Sun bird, Mount Soche Hotel in Blantyre as he hosted a state luncheon.

Mutharika expressed his love for Malawi, adding that he respects democracy and peace, the reason the president said he did not fight back despite being unceremoniously booted from office in 2020.

"It is true that l am the first president in Malawi's history to return to power; but l am also the first president to be booted out of power," he said 

Mutharika added that it was impressive that he returns to power through people's will to serve in another term.

“Some people wanted me to take the case to international courts but I thought about the people of Malawi because the case would have taken another year, and there would have been no peace in the country; so I decided to step down for the betterment of the nation, “I have nothing to gain personally. I decided to run again because I saw the country moving back to a one-party system, and I wanted to bring back true democracy,” he explained.

Mutharika, therefore, called upon all Malawians to work together in developing the country, saying Malawi belongs to all Malawians.

The luncheon took place after the swearing in ceremony of Mutharika and Justice Jane Ansah (Rtd) at Kamuzu Stadium.

Some of the people who were present at the luncheon included former president Dr. Joyce Banda, Prime Minister of Kingdom of Eswatini, Rusell Dlamin, foreign country's representatives, and representatives of some local and international organizations.

Traditional and religious leaders, and party officials from DPP and AFORD were also present at the luncheon.

(By Pempho Nkhoma and Chifundo Kowedza)