Joyce Banda returns to Malawi and talks about running for office again
Malawi — Malawi’s former president Joyce Banda, who recently returned home after four years of self-imposed exile, said on Monday that she was ready to run in 2019’s presidential elections if nominated by her party. Banda fled in 2014 when she lost power after being embroiled in a massive graft scandal in which government officials siphoned off millions of dollars of public money. She said she would contest at her People’s Party (PP) elective convention due in coming months. "The power to choose a torch bearer rests with the people," she said. "If they chose me, yes, I will stand." Malawi will hold presidential, parliamentary and council elections in May 2019. Banda founded the PP in 2011 after splitting from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which is led by President Peter Mutharika. She was Malawi’s first female president, serving from April 2012 to May 2014, but analysts say she stands little chance of victory in the next polls. "Her chances of winning are very slim. Her pa...
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