Bingu wa Mutharika

{{Short description|President of Malawi from 2004 to 2012}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix     = [[His Excellency]]
| name                = Bingu wa Mutharika
| image               = Bingu_wa_Mutharika_in_2009.jpg
| alt                 = 
| caption             = Mutharika in 2009
| order               = 
| office              = 3rd [[President of Malawi]]
| term_start          = 24 May 2004
| term_end            = 5 April 2012
| vicepresident       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Cassim Chilumpha]]
* [[Joyce Banda]]
}}
| predecessor         = [[Bakili Muluzi]]
| successor           = [[Joyce Banda]]
| order2              = 8th
| office2             = Chairperson of the African Union
| term_start2         = 31 January 2010
| term_end2           = 31 January 2011
| predecessor2        = [[Muammar Gaddafi]]
| successor2          = [[Teodoro Obiang Nguema]]
| birth_date          = {{birth date|df=y|1934|2|24}}
| birth_place         = [[Thyolo]], [[Nyasaland]]
| death_date          = {{death date and age|df=y|2012|4|5|1934|2|24}}
| death_place         = [[Lilongwe]], Malawi
| birthname           = Brightson Webster Ryson Thom
| nationality         = Malawian
| party               = [[Democratic Progressive Party (Malawi)|DPP]] (2005–2012)
| otherparty          = [[United Democratic Front (Malawi)|UDF]] (1986–2005)
| spouse              = {{Plainlist|
* {{marriage|[[Ethel Mutharika]]|1984|2007|reason=d}}
* {{marriage|[[Callista Chimombo]]|2010}}
}}
| relatives           = [[Peter Mutharika]] (brother)
| children            = 4
| parents             = 
| residence           = 
| alma_mater          = [[University of Delhi]] <br /> [[California Miramar University]]
| profession          = Economist
| website             = 
| footnotes           = 
}}

'''Bingu wa Mutharika''' ({{IPAc-en|m|u|ˈ|t|æ|r|ɪ|k|ə}}; born '''Brightson Webster Ryson Thom'''; 24 February 1934&nbsp;– 5 April 2012) was a Malawian politician and economist who was [[President of Malawi]] from May 2004 until his death in April 2012. He was also President of the [[Democratic Progressive Party (Malawi)|Democratic Progressive Party]], which he founded in February 2005; it obtained a majority in Malawi's parliament in the [[2009 Malawian general election|2009 general election]]. 

During his two terms in office, he was noted for being the [[Chairperson of the African Union]] in 2010&ndash;2011, as well as for several domestic controversies. In 2009, he purchased a private presidential jet for $13.26&nbsp;million. This was followed almost immediately by a nationwide fuel shortage, which was officially blamed on logistical problems but was more likely due to the hard currency shortage caused by the freezing of aid by the international community.<ref>{{cite news|title=Britain reduces aid to Malawi over presidential jet|url=https://af.reuters.com/article/malawiNews/idAFLDE62921I20100310?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510021817/http://af.reuters.com/article/malawiNews/idAFLDE62921I20100310?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 May 2011|work=Reuters|date=10 March 2010}}</ref> He died in office from a cardiac arrest on 5 April 2012, at age 78.

==Early life and career==
Bingu wa Mutharika was born Brightson Webster Ryson Thom on 24 February 1934 in the village of Kamoto in [[Thyolo District]], and is a member of the [[Lomwe people|Lomwe ethnic group]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/bingu-wa-mutharika-president-of-malawi-dies-at-78/2012/04/06/gIQARMMk0S_story_1.html | newspaper=The Washington Post | first=T. Rees | last=Shapiro | title=Bingu wa Mutharika, president of Malawi, dies at 78 | date=8 April 2012}}</ref><ref name="BBC">[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17628591 "Malawi's President Mutharika treated for cardiac arrest"], BBC News, 6 April 2012</ref> Mutharika's parents, Ryson Thom Mutharika and Eleni Thom Mutharika, were both members of the Church of Scotland Mission which later became [[Church of Central Africa, Presbyterian]]. His father was a teacher for 37 years and his mother taught the women of the Mvano group.{{Citation needed|date=April 2012}}

Upon completing his primary education at Ulongwe Mission and Chingoli, Mulanje, Ntambanyama, Malamulo, in Thyolo and Henri Henderson Institute in [[Blantyre]], Mutharika obtained a Grade A [[Cambridge]] Overseas School Leaving Certificate at Dedza Secondary School in 1956. After that, he joined the Nyasaland civil service. In 1964, he was one of the 32 Malawians selected by [[Hastings Kamuzu Banda]] (President of [[Malawi]] 1961–1994) to travel to [[India]] on an [[Indira Gandhi]] scholarship for 'fast track' diplomas. The BBC reports that he went to India to "escape then President Hastings Banda's crackdown on political opponents". At some point during the 1960s, he also changed his name, to Bingu wa Mutharika.<ref name="BBC" />{{Failed verification|date=August 2021}} In India, Mutharika earned his bachelor's degree in Economics from the [[Shri Ram College of Commerce]], Delhi. Subsequently, he attended the [[Delhi School of Economics]] graduating with a M.A. degree in Economics. He later obtained a PhD degree in Development Economics from [[Pacific Western University]]. Mutharika also completed short courses on Business Management, Financial Analysis, Trade Promotion, Political Leadership, regional Economic Co-operation and Human Relations.<ref>{{cite web |author=NetNewsPublisher |url=http://www.netnewspublisher.com/african-union-elects-president-of-malawi-as-new-chairman/ |title=African Union elects president of Malawi as new chairman |publisher=Netnewspublisher.com |access-date=13 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100208023802/http://www.netnewspublisher.com/african-union-elects-president-of-malawi-as-new-chairman/ |archive-date=8 February 2010  }}</ref> In the early 1990s, he was one of the first to be employed at the Preferential Trade Area of East and Central Africa (PTA) and became its secretary-general in 1991.<ref>{{cite book |last=M. Kalinga |first=Owen J. |date=2012 |title=Historical Dictionary of Malawi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FuXPkCVjzasC&q=mutharika+historical+dictionary+of+malawi+in+the+early+1990s&pg=PA331 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |page=331 |isbn=9780810859616 }}</ref>

Mutharika served in the Malawi civil service. He served as an administrative officer in the Government of Malawi and also in Zambia. He was offered the Deputy Governorship of the reserve Bank of Malawi and appointed Minister of Economic Planning and Development in 2002.{{Citation needed|date=April 2012}}

He also worked at the World Bank as a Loans Officer and at the United Nations Economic Commission of Africa, as Director of Trade and Development Finance and as Secretary General of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa [[COMESA]], covering 22 member states.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wellen |first=Russ |url=http://www.fpif.org/articles/malawi_makes_africa_takes |title=Malawi Makes, Africa Takes? |publisher=FPIF |date=11 August 2011 |access-date=13 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thedignityproject.org.uk/country_profile-2.html |title=Country Profile |publisher=Thedignityproject.org.uk |access-date=13 January 2012 }}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Bingu Wa Mutharika (At a Glance) |url=http://myafrica.allafrica.com/view/people/main/id/07-vism9dWptMaQy.html |title=allAfrica.com: myAfrica – People |publisher=Myafrica.allafrica.com |access-date=13 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617021639/http://myafrica.allafrica.com/view/people/main/id/07-vism9dWptMaQy.html |archive-date=17 June 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Presidential campaigns (1999–2009)==

===Nomination===
Mutharika was nominated by President Muluzi as his successor. Mutharika won the [[2004 Malawian general election|presidential election]] on 20 May 2004, ahead of [[John Tembo]] and [[Gwanda Chakuamba]], and took office a few days later.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecosocc-au.org/index.php?page=au |title=Ecosocc |publisher=Ecosocc-au.org |access-date=13 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721201814/http://www.ecosocc-au.org/index.php?page=au |archive-date=21 July 2013  }}</ref>

On 7 October 2006, Mutharika stated his intention to seek re-election in the [[2009 Malawian presidential election|2009 presidential election]] as the DPP candidate.<ref>[http://english.people.com.cn/200610/09/eng20061009_310024.html "Malawian president reveals ambitions for re-election"], Xinhua (''People's Daily Online''), 9 October 2006.</ref> Two years later, in October 2008, the DPP's national governing council unanimously chose Mutharika as the party's candidate for the 2009 election,<ref>[http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hHHat6P45nWvRFA2_1aHW4s7Lrfw "Malawi's Mutharika nominated for re-election"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090707193114/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hHHat6P45nWvRFA2_1aHW4s7Lrfw |date=7 July 2009 }}, AFP, 22 October 2008.</ref> which he won with 66.7% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mec.org.mw/Elections/2009ResultsReports/tabid/98/Default.aspx |title=2009 Results Reports |publisher=Mec.org.mw |access-date=13 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105072547/http://www.mec.org.mw/Elections/2009ResultsReports/tabid/98/Default.aspx |archive-date=5 January 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===First term===
During President Mutharika's first term in office (2004–2008), the country achieved a high rate of agricultural production and [[food security]]. The President's initiatives, centred on a programme of [[agricultural subsidy]], benefited approximately 1,700,000 resource poor [[smallholding|smallholder]] farmers. In the 2005/2006 crop season, Malawi achieved a food surplus of more than 500,000 metric tons. During the 2008/2009 planting season, food surpluses topped 1.3&nbsp;million metric tons. This agricultural policy was widely regarded as successful but expensive, and was curtailed in 2011.<ref name=iri>{{cite web|url=http://www.irinnews.org/printreport.aspx?reportid=93954 |title=IRIN Africa &#124; MALAWI: Farm subsidy programme shrinks &#124; Governance |agency=IRIN |date=13 October 2011 |access-date=13 January 2012}}</ref>

===Second term===
[[File:Lula Mutharika.jpg|thumb|right|300px|[[Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva]] (left) with Bingu wa Mutharika (right)]]
Under his tenure, the constitutionally enshrined human rights and separation of powers were enhanced, including legal reform.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.undp.org.mw/index.php?option=com_programme&view=democratic%20governance&task=project&area=project%20area&id=2&58930effcf1f629ed28c9ca6846cfdcd=hzmynhin |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331132513/http://www.undp.org.mw/index.php?option=com_programme&view=democratic%20governance&task=project&area=project%20area&id=2&58930effcf1f629ed28c9ca6846cfdcd=hzmynhin |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 March 2022 |title=UNDP in Malawi &#124; United Nations Development Programme Malawi |publisher=Undp.org.mw |access-date=9 April 2012 }}</ref> His first term was seen as a broad political success.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://africanarguments.org/2012/03/21/malawi%E2%80%99s-democracy-dips-into-recession-by-keith-somerville/ |title=Malawi's democracy dips into recession – By Keith Somerville |publisher=African Arguments |date=21 March 2012 |access-date=9 April 2012}}</ref> He has also been credited with committing to and presiding over economic reform, fiscal restraint and anti-corruption measures.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/04/201246102048384159.html |title=Obituary: Malawi's Bingu wa Mutharika – Africa |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=4 October 2011 |access-date=9 April 2012}}</ref> During his tenure, the election was recognised by monitors as fair.<ref>http://www.electionconference.org/page7/files/MESN%20Report.pdf{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Khaldoun Dudin |url=http://www.eueommalawi.org/default.html |title=European Union &#124; Election Observation Mission to Malawi 2009 |publisher=Eueommalawi.org |access-date=9 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406072923/http://www.eueommalawi.org/default.html |archive-date=6 April 2012  }}</ref> Mutharika's Malawi Growth and Development Strategy for 2006–2011 prioritised the enhancement of: agriculture and food security, education, transport, energy generation, rural development, irrigation and water development, youth development and anti-corruption initiatives.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/AFRICAEXT/MALAWIEXTN/0,,menuPK:355882~pagePK:141132~piPK:141107~theSitePK:355870,00.html |title=Malawi – Country Brief |publisher=World Bank |access-date=9 April 2012}}</ref>

In 2009, Malawi's Ministry of Finance estimated that during the previous four years the share of Malawians living below the poverty line fell from 52 per cent to 40 per cent. This has been attributed to the country's agricultural policies, which have been seen as pioneering in the context of African economic development.<ref name=un.afrec.25.1>{{cite web |last=Harsch |first=Ernest |url=https://www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/afrec/vol25no1/investing-african-agriculture.html |title=Africa Renewal Magazine &#124; Investing in Africa's farms – and its future |publisher=United Nations |date=23 November 2010 |access-date=13 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111230184142/http://www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/afrec/vol25no1/investing-african-agriculture.html |archive-date=30 December 2011  }}</ref>

In addition to championing food security in Malawi, Mutharika promoted a similar approach for Africa. While Chairman of the African Union in 2010,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.au.int/ |title=African Union |publisher=Au.int |access-date=13 January 2012}}</ref> the President laid down a plan for Africa to achieve sustainability and food security.<ref>{{cite news|last=McLure |first=Jason |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aP49H8lYYb.E |title=Malawi's Mutharika Named Next African Union Chairman (Update1) |publisher=Bloomberg |date=31 January 2010 |access-date=13 January 2012}}</ref> He proposed a new partnership with other African nations, which he called the "African Food Basket",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nepad.org/foodsecurity/news/1786/%E2%80%9Cit-possible-africa-become-food-basket-world%E2%80%9D-mutharika |title="It is possible for Africa to become the food basket of the world," says Mutharika |publisher=NEPAD |date=28 October 2010 |access-date=13 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111211165330/http://nepad.org/foodsecurity/news/1786/%E2%80%9Cit-possible-africa-become-food-basket-world%E2%80%9D-mutharika |archive-date=11 December 2011  }}</ref> outlining a strategy incorporating subsidies to small farmers, especially women, improvements in irrigation, and improving agriculture and food security over 5 years through innovative interventions that comprise subsidies, increased budgetary allocations, private sector investment and affordable information and communications technology. Approximately half of the country's subsistence farmers received vouchers which provided discounts on maize seed and fertiliser. To sustain the program, the Malawi Government allocated 11 per cent of its budget for 2010/2011 to agriculture, continuing a rare record of commitment on this scale in Africa. The level of investment in the programme was reduced in 2011.<ref name=iri/>

Mutharika was accused of trying to sideline and isolate his vice-president, [[Joyce Banda]]. He expelled her from the party in 2010 because she refused to accept the nomination of [[Peter Mutharika]] as the next president.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mg.co.za/article/2012-04-06-joyce-banda-poised-to-lead-malawi-after-mutharika-dies-in-office |title=Banda poised to lead Malawi after Mutharika dies in office – News – Mail & Guardian Online |work=Mail & Guardian |date=12 April 1950 |access-date=9 April 2012}}</ref> She remained vice-president of the country because there had been no formal impeachment process.{{Citation needed|date=April 2012}}

As a result of the [[Cochrane-Dyet 2011 cable controversy]] that accused Mutharika of being increasingly 'arrogant' and 'autocratic', he expelled the [[British High Commissioner]].<ref name="Yahoo">{{cite news |url=https://news.yahoo.com/malawi-president-dies-heart-attack-hospital-075230249.html |title=Malawi president dies, leaving nation in suspense |agency=Agence France-Presse |first=Felix |last=Mponda |publisher=Yahoo! News |date=6 April 2012 |access-date=6 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120410080303/http://news.yahoo.com/malawi-president-dies-heart-attack-hospital-075230249.html |archive-date=10 April 2012  }}</ref>

In international relationships, his close relationships with [[Robert Mugabe]] of Zimbabwe and [[Omar al-Bashir]] of Sudan were controversial.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.malawidemocrat.com/politics/peter-says-mutharika-linked-with-bashir-in-qatar-mugabe-too/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904195744/http://www.malawidemocrat.com/politics/peter-says-mutharika-linked-with-bashir-in-qatar-mugabe-too/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 September 2012 |title=Peter says Mutharika linked with Bashir in Qatar, Mugabe too |publisher=The Malawi Democrat |date=19 December 2011 |access-date=9 April 2012 }}</ref>

In 2011, days of [[2011 Malawi protests|nationwide protests]] occurred, sparked by worsening fuel shortages, rising prices and high unemployment. Malawi's health ministry confirmed 18 deaths in the northern cities of Karonga and Mzuzu as a result of police using live ammunition to quell protests.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mapondera|first=Godfrey|title=Malawi protesters killed during anti-regime riots|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jul/21/malawi-protesters-killed-anti-regime-riots|work=The Guardian |access-date=25 January 2012|location=London|date=21 July 2011}}</ref> Mutharika was unapologetic and said that he would "smoke out" all his enemies. This was accompanied by a crack-down on Malawian journalists, human rights activists, and lawyers, including [[Ralph Kasambara]].<ref name="Reuters">{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-malawi-mutharikabre835093-20120406,0,4811631.story|title=Obituary: Mutharika, Malawi's flawed 'economist-in-chief'|agency=Reuters|first=Mabvuto|last=Banda|work=Chicago Tribune|date=6 April 2012|access-date=6 April 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119114556/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-malawi-mutharikabre835093-20120406,0,4811631.story|archive-date=19 January 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Other events that marred his presidency were the activities surrounding the [[Blessings Chinsinga#Academic Stand-off|2011 academic freedom stand-off between the President and University]], and the death of student activist [[Robert Chasowa]].

==Chairman of the African Union==
On 31 January 2010, Mutharika replaced [[Muammar al-Gaddafi]] as chairman of the [[African Union]] after Gaddafi's attempt to run as the African Union chairman for an additional year failed. Mutharika was Malawi's first head of state to assume the position of chairman.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.maravipost.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2405:only-bingu-for-au-chair-banda&catid=54:politics&Itemid=124 |title=Only Bingu for AU chair—Banda |access-date=16 December 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714033345/http://www.maravipost.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2405%3Aonly-bingu-for-au-chair-banda&catid=54%3Apolitics&Itemid=124 |archive-date=14 July 2011  }}. maravipost.com (27 January 2010)</ref> In his acceptance speech he said that "Africa is not a poor continent, but the African population are poor" and called for "Africa to develop Africa". He shared his vision for the African Food Basket Initiative by making food security a priority in his agenda.

[[File:Group photo of the 2010 G-20 Toronto summit family photo.jpg|right|thumb|G20 summit]]
On 4 April he attended the 50th anniversary in celebration of Senegalese independence as the African Union chairman. He also attended the [[G8 summit]] in Canada and the [[G20 summit]] in [[Seoul]], South Korea.<ref name=nationmw.net>{{cite news|last=Sonani |first=Bright |title=The year Bingu assumed AU chairmanship |url=http://www.mwnation.com/index.php/national-news/11966-the-year-bingu-assumed-au-chairmanship.html |newspaper=Nation on Sunday |date=30 December 2010 }}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

On 26 July, he attended the African Union summit in [[Kampala]], Uganda,<ref name="nationmw.net"/> where he condemned the [[International Criminal Court]] (ICC) for issuing a warrant to arrest [[Omar al Bashir]] because it undermined African authority.<ref name="nationmw.net"/> They adopted the African Food Basket Initiative here which was presented to the UN on 29 September.<ref name="nationmw.net"/> On 6 September, he attended the inauguration of Rwandan President [[Paul Kagame]].<ref name="nationmw.net"/> He attended the Iran-Africa Conference, which aimed at strengthening ties between Iran and African countries.<ref name="nationmw.net"/> During a speech at Boston University, Mutharika defended his subsidy program and noted that although Western countries say African governments should not subsidise agriculture, Western governments subsidise their own farmers.<ref name="nationmw.net"/> Malawi hosted Africa's first conference that brought together Ministers of Agriculture in Africa where they were urged to fight for subsidies in agriculture.<ref name="nationmw.net"/> He did not attend the Africa-EU Trade summit in Libya but no official reason was provided for this move.<ref name="nationmw.net"/> During his tenure, he joined international calls for [[Laurent Gbagbo]] to accept defeat following the [[2010 Ivorian presidential election]].<ref name="nationmw.net"/>

==Family and personal life==
Mutharika was born and baptised in the [[Presbyterianism|Presbyterian]] denomination, later converting to [[Roman Catholicism]].<ref name ="bbc profile">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3740547.stm |work=BBC News |title=Profile: Bingu wa Mutharika |date=10 August 2007 |access-date=26 April 2010 |first=Raphael |last=Tenthani}}</ref> He married Zimbabwean Ethel Zvauya Mutharika, with whom he had four children. [[Ethel Mutharika]] died on 28 May 2007. In 2010, Mutharika announced he planned to marry [[Callista Chimombo]], a former Minister of Tourism. The two were married on 1 May 2010.<ref name="nationmw.net"/>

Mutharika's brother, [[Peter Mutharika]], was a lecturer at [[Washington University in St. Louis]]. In May 2009, he was elected to the Malawian Parliament, and was subsequently appointed to the Malawi Cabinet as Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. He has held other cabinet positions.{{Citation needed|date = April 2012}} He became the 5th President of Malawi, following the 2014 General election in which he garnered 36% of the national vote and represented the DPP.

==Death==
Mutharika died on 5 April 2012 at the age of 78.<ref name="nyasatimes1">{{cite news |url=http://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi/2012/04/05/malawi-president-bingu-wa-mutharika-dies-exclusive/ |work=Nyasa Times |title=Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika dies |date=5 April 2012 |access-date=5 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407005635/http://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi/2012/04/05/malawi-president-bingu-wa-mutharika-dies-exclusive/ |archive-date=7 April 2012  }}</ref><ref name=r20120406>{{cite news|title=Malawi President Mutharika dead: government sources|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malawi-president-idUSBRE83504E20120406|date=6 April 2012|work=Reuters|access-date=30 June 2017|archive-date=2 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702232127/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/06/us-malawi-president-idUSBRE83504E20120406|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/06/world/africa/malawi-president/index.html |publisher=CNN |title=President of Malawi dies after heart attack|date=5 April 2012 |access-date=5 April 2012}}</ref> He suffered a heart attack and was reportedly flown to a South African hospital due to power outages in Lilongwe.<ref name=r20120406/> The media reported "chaotic scenes" after his wife, Callista, and other cabinet members were leaving the hospital. His condition was initially announced as "critical", and police were deployed throughout the capital with 15 Army officers posted at the Vice-President's residence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/04/201245175737562122.html|title=Malawi president 'in critical condition' – Africa|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=4 October 2011|access-date=6 April 2012}}</ref>

His death was officially confirmed on 7 April,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/04/201247111815207836.html |title=Joyce Banda sworn in as president of Malawi – Africa |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=4 October 2011 |access-date=9 April 2012}}</ref> the day Joyce Banda was sworn in as Malawi's first female president despite [[Malawian Constitutional Crisis 2012|controversy]] following Information and Civic Education Minister [[Patricia Kaliati]]'s statement that "the conduct of the honourable Joyce Banda in forming her own opposition party precludes her from being eligible to succeed the presidency,"<ref>{{cite web|last=Karimi|first=Faith|url=http://www.kitv.com/news/national/Banda-sworn-in-as-Malawi-president/-/8905418/10322828/-/14mg6em/-/|title=Banda sworn in as Malawi president &#124; National News – KITV Home|publisher=Kitv.com|date=5 April 2012|access-date=9 April 2012}}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> while the country's security forces also wanted the constitutional order to prevail.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i0Nf2obDaNyqrpBEMUZftxE0wsVQ?docId=bdc060664dfb409aaf384dec2651a5bc|title=The Associated Press: Malawi's VP sworn in as president amid uncertainty|access-date=9 April 2012}}</ref>

The former U.S. ambassador to Tanzania [[Charles Stith]] said of Mutharika that he was "unwavering in his commitment to improve the plight of Malawi's poor" and that he was "one of Africa's most courageous and conscientious leaders."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.boston.com/2012-04-07/news/31305448_1_president-bingu-wa-mutharika-malawi-stith |title=BU African center chief mourns Malawi's president |work=Boston Globe |access-date=9 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120410203708/http://articles.boston.com/2012-04-07/news/31305448_1_president-bingu-wa-mutharika-malawi-stith |archive-date=10 April 2012  }}</ref>

==Titles, honours and awards==
Mutharika received the following awards:
* The United Nations Special [[Millennium Development Goal]] Award (2010) for success towards eliminating hunger by enhancing food security ahead of the 2015 MDG deadline (Goal 1 – ending poverty and hunger)<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://mdgawards.org/files/FileUpload/files/MDG_Awards_Post_Event_PR.pdf |title=MDG Awards Post-Event PR |access-date=6 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017213418/http://mdgawards.org/files/FileUpload/files/MDG_Awards_Post_Event_PR.pdf |archive-date=17 October 2013  }}</ref>
* COMESA Distinguished Award (2010) for exceptional leadership and distinguished service to [[COMESA]] and the integration of Africa as Secretary General of COMESA from 1991 to 1997. The Authority specifically commended Mutharika for his contribution to the realisation of the Abuja Treaty objectives towards African integration.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comesa.int/ |title=Common Market For Eastern And Southern Africa (Comesa) |publisher=Comesa.int |date=2 December 2011 |access-date=13 January 2012}}</ref>
* Southern Africa Trust Drivers of Change Award (2009) for changing Malawi from a country in perpetual food deficit to one that is entirely food-sufficient. "The boom in this sector has had a direct impact on millions of poor people. Under his leadership, poverty has declined from 58 to 42 percent in five years. Through his direct involvement in turning Malawi's future around, he is building new confidence and hope amongst the citizens of Africa in their governments."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.southernafricatrust.org/speech_20091029.html |title=Speeches |publisher=Southernafricatrust.org |access-date=13 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110416033757/http://www.southernafricatrust.org/speech_20091029.html |archive-date=16 April 2011  }}</ref>
* 2009 Medal of Glory Awards – "President Mutharika was chosen for the award because of his bold reforms that have resulted in the Malawi green revolution, and Malawi's increase in its economic growth rate from less than 1 percent in 2003, before he took office to more than 9.7 percent in 2008, at the end of his first term office"<ref>{{cite web|author=The African Executive |url=http://www.africanexecutive.com/modules/magazine/articles.php?article=4638 |title=FDA Fetes Bingu Wa Mutharika |publisher=The African Executive |access-date=13 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131120024759/http://www.africanexecutive.com/modules/magazine/articles.php?article=4638 |archive-date=20 November 2013  }}</ref>
* The Most Excellent Grand Commander (MEGC) – Top most award of Malawi order of National Achievement conferred by the Malawi Civilian Honours and Decorations, 6 July 2009{{citation needed|date=January 2012}}
* Inaugural Food Agriculture and Natural resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN) Food Security Policy Leadership Award (2008), "for his agricultural policy interventions which have transformed Malawi form a food deficit nation to a net maize exporter"{{citation needed|date=January 2012}}
* [[FAO]]'s Agricola Medal (2008) in honour of "his substantial contribution towards transforming the country's economy form a state of food deficit nation to a net exporter of maize"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/8618/ |title=FAO Media Centre: Malawi President awarded Agricola Medal |publisher=Fao.org |date=28 November 2008 |access-date=13 January 2012}}</ref>
* Louise Blouin Foundation Award for Exceptional Creative Achievement (2008) for making a positive impact on a global scale<ref name="creativeleadershipsummit1">{{cite press release|url=http://www.creativeleadershipsummit.org/2008/downloads/20080921-GCLS_PressRelease_SummitGala.pdf |title=GCLS Summit Gala Press Release |access-date=6 April 2012 }}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* Danish Government Award of recognition for outstanding performances in promoting gender equality and women empowerment (2008)<ref name="creativeleadershipsummit1"/>
*The [[Order of Brilliant Jade]] with Gran Cordon was given to Mutharika by [[President of the Republic of China]] [[Chen Shui-bian]] in January 2005.<ref>{{cite news |title=President Chen Entertains Malawian President Bingu Wa Mutharika at a State Banquet |url=https://english.president.gov.tw/NEWS/1866 |access-date=23 April 2020 |agency=Office of the President, Republic of China |date=11 January 2005}}</ref>

Mutharika received several honorary degrees including Professor of Economics by East China Normal University, in April 2010; Doctor of Letters (D.Lilkmktt) Degree Honoris Causa by the University of Delhi in October 2010; Doctor of Law (PhD Degree (Honoris Causa), Mzuzu University, in 2008 and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree (Honoris Causa), University of Strathclyde, Scotland in 2005.{{citation needed|date=January 2012}}

He was the founder and chairman of the Bineth Trust – a nonprofit organisation promoting education; founder of the Silvergrey International; and founder and Chairman of the Bingu Silvergrey Foundation of the elderly and retired persons. He is also the founder of the [[Malawi University of Science and Technology]], the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources; University of Cotton Research at Bangula; the University of Marine biology; the University of Mombera and the University of Nkhotakota.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.fanrpan.org/documents/d00576/FANRPAN_Award_HE_Dr_Bingu_2008.pdf |title=Profile of Proposed Awardee His Excellency, Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika |access-date=6 April 2012 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304204758/http://www.fanrpan.org/documents/d00576/FANRPAN_Award_HE_Dr_Bingu_2008.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Further reading ==

* Kim Yi Dionne, Boniface Dulani, "Constitutional provisions and executive succession: Malawi's 2012 transition in comparative perspective." ''African Affairs'', Volume 112, Issue 446, January 2013, Pages 111–137

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links | wikt=no | q=yes| b=no | n=no |s=no | v=no | voy=no | species=no |d=no| display=Bingu wa Mutharika}}
* Video: [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054309/http://www.unmultimedia.org/tv/webcast/2010/09/malawi-general-debate-65th-session.html Address by President Bingu Wa Mutharika] at the General Debate of the 65th Session of the [[General Assembly of the United Nations]], 23 September 2010.

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[[Category:1934 births]]
[[Category:Converts to Roman Catholicism from Presbyterianism]]
[[Category:2012 deaths]]
[[Category:California Miramar University alumni]]
[[Category:Democratic Progressive Party (Malawi) politicians]]
[[Category:20th-century Malawian economists]]
[[Category:Malawian Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:People from Thyolo District]]
[[Category:Presidents of Malawi]]
[[Category:United Democratic Front (Malawi) politicians]]
[[Category:Delhi University alumni]]
[[Category:Chairpersons of the African Union]]