Malawi’s President Arthur Peter Mutharika has pardoned 134 convicted prisoners as the country marked its 62nd independence anniversary from British colonial rule on Monday.
In an independence message, Mutharika said Malawi had achieved political freedom but still faced the unfinished task of securing economic independence.
“I am confident that working together, we will achieve our dream of making Malawi an economically independent country, with equitably shared wealth. I call upon every Malawian to join hands in this effort,” he said.
Mutharika said this year’s anniversary would be observed through prayers only, rather than public celebrations.
He directed that funds originally budgeted for independence festivities be redirected toward economically productive programmes aimed at reducing poverty.
The president said Malawi’s next national priority would be economic recovery, calling on citizens to support efforts to build a more self-reliant and inclusive economy.