Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 20, 1994 TAG: 9405200055
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: BLANTYRE, MALAWI LENGTH: Medium
Banda, Africa's longest ruling dictator, went on the radio to concede defeat in Tuesday's vote to former Cabinet minister Bakili Muluzi, setting off street festivities and a victory rally by Muluzi's United Democratic Front.
"We are not going into government in order to benefit. We are going there to be of service," Muluzi told more than 20,000 supporters, continuing the populist line he hammered at while campaigning across Malawi, one of the world's poorest nations.
Muluzi, expected to be sworn in as president Saturday, promised to work with his political opponents in building up the economy. "Malawi is no longer divided into a home for some and a hell for others," he said.
A businessman suspected of shaky financial dealings, Muluzi, 51, pledged an extensive development program of new roads, schools and hospitals. He also said he would exploit Malawi's mineral wealth, something that was not allowed during 30 years of autocratic rule by Banda, who is believed to be in his 90s.
Official election results were not announced because of delays in getting returns from some rural areas. But unofficial returns gave Muluzi about 900,000 votes to 500,000 for Banda and indicated Muluzi's party would win almost half the 177 parliament seats.
After Banda's concession, jubilant people poured from offices and shops to celebrate the end of one-party rule in the southeast African country.
by CNB