Malawi's Joyce Banda discards presidential jet and luxury car fleet

New president increases popularity with ongoing rejection of predecessor Bingu wa Mutharika's lavish lifestyle and policies
Joyce banda malawi
Joyce Banda has dumped her predecessor's presidential jet and fleet of luxury cars. Photograph: Amos Gumulira/AFP/Getty Images



Her decision to sell or lease the impoverished country's £8.4m presidential jet and fleet of 60 Mercedes government cars seems likely to cement domestic goodwill – and confirm her as a darling of the west.

Britain, Malawi's biggest aid donor, announced on Friday that Andrew Mitchell, the international development secretary, had raised the issue of the Dassault Falcon 900EX jet with Banda at a private meeting with the new government. Mitchell said: "At a time of austerity in both Britain and Malawi, president Banda's decision to sell or lease the presidential jet and expensive fleet of cars sends an enormously encouraging signal to British taxpayers and the international community about the seriousness President Banda is applying to overturn bad decisions taken under the previous government.

"The proceeds can be used to provide basic services to Malawi's poorest people who urgently need help following the vital devaluation of the currency."

Last month Banda was quoted in local media saying the cabinet would discuss the jet's future, explaining she had no problems "offloading it as I can well use private airliners; I am already used to hitchhiking".



The president's sudden death from a heart attack changed the course of the country's history. Having thwarted an attempt by his allies to block her, Banda assumed control and has since appointed a new cabinet, sacked his police chief, announced the lifting of a ban on homosexuality and restored the country's independence-era flag.

The turnaround has been welcomed by western countries such as Britain, whose high commissioner was expelled by Mutharika for branding him "autocratic and intolerant of criticism".


The minister said: "I am also delighted to be in Malawi to relaunch Britain's development partnership with the new president. Britain is leading the international community by providing urgent balance of payments support and technical assistance to Malawi through the Bank of England."

In May this year Britain pledged £23m to help stabilise the Malawian economy and £10m for the country's health system.