Malawi leader congratulates Obama on US election win
Malawi President Mrs Joyce Banda has sent her congratulations to Barack Obama, who has been re-elected to a second term as US president.
Obama saw off a hard-fought challenge from Republican candidate Mitt Romney.
President Banda said President Obama’s re-election was was an affirmation of “ the trust and confidence” that Americans have in his exemplary leadership
The Malawi leader voiced belief to further strengthen the “cordial and historical relations” with the US.
Meanwhile, the US has pledged continued support for Malawi in its efforts to build a strong foundation for the thriving of democracy through peaceful means as the country is expected to hold its national elections in 2014.
The pledged was made by US ambassador to Malawi, Jeanine Jackson who hosted an Election Day breakfast reception at her residence in the capital, Lilongwe to allow guests to watch the results as they were being announced.
She said tthere can be no real democracy in any nation without the peaceful acceptance of victory or defeat,
And Malawi Vice President Khumbo Kachali who was among the guests at the reception, said one lesson from the US election is that “opposition conceded defeat at earliest of time.”
“This is a lesson we must learn as we head for our own election. If our opponent is winning lets congratulate them,” Kachali is quoted saying.
Kachali said the government is committed to building a robust electoral system to give all Malawians a chance to participate in democratic processes as the country will hold the first tripartite elections – Presidential, Parliamentrary and Local Government.
Ancestral home celebrates
Congratulations poured in from across the world, including Britain, China, France and Russia as well as Israel and Obama’s ancestral home in Kenya.
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki told Obama that people in his ancestral homeland were celebrating his “well deserved victory”.
“Kenya, as always is proud of our association with you,” Kibaki said in a statement quoted by AFP.
“The reason why he has won is because God has given it to him,” said Sarah Obama, 90 this year and the third wife of the paternal grandfather of the president, who has said he regards her as a grandmother.
South African President Jacob Zuma urged the United State to continue playing a positive role in Africa, saying “we value our relations with the United States and look forward to strengthening bilateral cooperation in the years to come.”
