Malawi leader bestows ‘Commendable Act Medal’ to Army commander Odilo
Malawi Defence Force (MDF) General Henry Odillo has been conferred a medal of honour called ‘Commendable Act Medal ‘ by President Joyce Banda in the capital, Lilongwe during the commissioning of the 11th Battalion of the Malawi Armed Forces.
President Banda decorated the Gen. Odillo at Civo Stadium on Saturday for his professionalism to adhere to the constitution of the Republic Malawi at a critical time when other people wanted to circumvent it.
Odillo defended the Constitution after former ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) orchestrated a failed “constitutional coup d’état” following the death of president Bingu wa Mutharika last April.
Former Foreign Minister Peter Mutharika – now answering to treason charges – asked the military to take over after his brother’s death, an official report said. Odillo had refused the request to seize power.
President Banda described Gen. Odillo as “ a model for African democracies” for his brave and professional conduct for vehemently denying an offer to circumvent the constitution of Malawi.
According to the Malawi Defence Act, the army has a duty to uphold the constitutional order.
