Joyce Banda sworn in as Malawi President

Malawi's former vice-president, Joyce Banda has taken the helm of the southern African nation following the death in office of President Bingu wa Mutharika two days ago.

Banda, 61, was sworn in as president at the National Assembly in the capital Lilongwe on Saturday, becoming southern Africa's first ever female head of state.

Banda, who had been vice-president since 2009, was cheered and applauded before, during and after the ceremony.

Mutharika, 78, went into cardiac arrest on Thursday, although his death was not confirmed until Saturday.

The delay in announcing his death had prompted fears of a power struggle.

There had been speculation that the late president's inner circle was trying to circumvent Malawi's constitution to prevent Banda from taking over and instead install his brother, Foreign Minister Peter Mutharika.

"I will well and truly perform the functions of the high office of the president of the Republic of Malawi," Banda said as she recited the oath of office.

Banda added "I want all of us to move into the future with hope and with the spirit of oneness and unity."

To convince the international community of the smooth transition, both the Malawi presidency and cabinet issued a statement assuring "that the constitution of the Republic of Malawi will be strictly adhered to in managing the transition".

Both Britain and the US which had been major donors to Malawi until they froze millions of dollars in aid over rows with Mutharika over his policies and actions, urged a smooth transition respecting the constitution.

A joint statement by Herman van Rompuy, president of the European Council, and Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the executive European Commission, said: "Malawi has in the past 20 years become an example of democracy with its peaceful transitions of power and respect for the constitution and the outcome of elections."

Meanwhile, the African Union Commission chief Jean Ping sent condolences sent to Banda, saying that Afrrica 
had "lost one of its great sons" with Mutharika's passing.

But in Malawi, there appeared to be little public sorrow at Mutharika's death. Many of the country's 13 million people had viewed him as an autocrat personally responsible for an economic crisis that stemmed ultimately from a diplomatic row with former colonial power Britain a year ago.

Britain and others froze aid worth some 40 per cent of government spending, fuel supplies dried up and food prices soared, leading to popular unrest.