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Malawi President scoffs at death rumors

Xinhua, October 21, 2016 Adjust font size:

Malawi President Peter Mutharika Friday laughed off the rumors that he was either dead or too incapacitated to serve the country, saying he has always been in "excellent" health.

"I am told a cat has nine lives, but I think Peter Mutharika has more than nine lives because I have been killed for more than nine times," said Mutharika, smiling.

"I have been enjoying excellent health and, by the way, having stayed in the United States for decades, I have my doctors and my health insurance there and why could I come home sick?"

Mutharika made the remarks at his presidential residence, Kamuzu Palace, in the capital Lilongwe at a heavily patronized media briefing on the president's meetings at the 71st UN General Assembly (UNGA).

Mutharika returned home from the United States on Sunday, Oct. 16, 20 days after the UNGA had ended. The prolonged stay in the United States created room for speculations on his health.

Both Mutharika's press secretary and Malawi government's spokesperson had always refuted all the allegations regarding the president's ill health and that he was conducting meetings with high level dignitaries in the United States.

On Friday Mutharika energetically stormed the jam-packed media briefing room and walked steadily to the high table, waving vigorously with both hands as he did so.

The President also clarified on his use of the left hand when he arrived at the airport on Sunday.

"I'm generally healthy except that I only have a slight problem with my right shoulder called rheumatism which has been persistent for long," explained Mutharika, adding, "I had had an injection and I was advised not to use the right hand because it was numb."

The Malawi leader challenged his critics who, following the rumors on his health, had been pushing for Mutharika to pave way for his Vice President to take over during the President's recuperation. Endit