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LILONGWE—Malawi has ordered home all its ambassadors serving in various countries ahead of the funeral of the late Malawian president Bingu wa Mutharika next Monday, MaraPost has learnt.

Sources said the envoys have been called to attend the funeral but already there are fears among some that they will lose their jobs.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise following the change of government in Malawi. Those familiar with such changes say political appointees, who often are ruling party loyalists, have much to worry about than career diplomats.

Meanwhile, Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) in the capital Lilongwe could be used if heads of state and government turn up in large numbers for the funeral.

So far only Tanzania, Benin, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique have confirmed and they all could use Chileka International Airport in Blantyre, according to the National Funeral Committee.

Committee chair Henry Mussa said “if we get many confirmations we will have the planes drop the leaders and park at Kamuzu International Airport."

Chileka can only hold eight planes at a time.

Mutharika’s funeral and burial will take place at his Ndata Farm in Thyolo district in southern Malawi where he hailed from.

Mutharika died at the age of 78 on April 5 after suffering a heart attack. He first came to power in 2004 and won re-election in 2009 for his final five-year term.

Joyce Banda was sworn in as president to finish the remainder of the term.
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©2012 The Maravi Post. Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgment