Malawi in mourning

BLANTYRE – Malawi began a month-long period of official mourning yesterday following the death of the president’s wife.

First lady Ethel Mutharika died on Monday after a lengthy illness although the exact cause of her death has not been disclosed. “She closed her eyes peacefully …A dark cloud has fallen over the State House and the nation,” said a statement issued by Bright Msaka, chief secretary to President Bingu wa Mutharika.The government had declared one month of mourning and parliament, which was meeting in the administrative capital Lilongwe, has been postponed indefinitely.State House spokesperson Chiku Mtumodzi said Ethel would be buried on June 9 at the family’s estate outside the capital city.”The president is deeply saddened by the death of his longtime wife who has been beside him since they met in the early ’60s.The State House is shocked by the death of our mother whose guidance we deeply relied upon,” the statement released by Msaka said on Monday.”The president is deeply saddened by the death of his longtime wife who has been beside him since they met in the early ’60s.The State House is shocked by the death of our mother whose guidance we deeply relied upon,” the statement said.Nampa-AFP”She closed her eyes peacefully …A dark cloud has fallen over the State House and the nation,” said a statement issued by Bright Msaka, chief secretary to President Bingu wa Mutharika.The government had declared one month of mourning and parliament, which was meeting in the administrative capital Lilongwe, has been postponed indefinitely.State House spokesperson Chiku Mtumodzi said Ethel would be buried on June 9 at the family’s estate outside the capital city.”The president is deeply saddened by the death of his longtime wife who has been beside him since they met in the early ’60s.The State House is shocked by the death of our mother whose guidance we deeply relied upon,” the statement released by Msaka said on Monday.”The president is deeply saddened by the death of his longtime wife who has been beside him since they met in the early ’60s.The State House is shocked by the death of our mother whose guidance we deeply relied upon,” the statement said.Nampa-AFP