Dr Michael Biziwick Usi has taken his oath of office today in Lilongwe, becoming the country’s seventh vice president.
Dr Usi, 55, has been sworn in at a colourful ceremony which took place at Parliament building in Lilongwe.
Dressed in a black suit and accompanied by his wife, Ella, Dr Usi entered the Parliament building at around 3:10 in the afternoon, much to the delight of onlookers.
Speaking after taking his oath of office, Dr Usi called for unity among Malawians, saying the tragedy that has hurt the country recently in losing former Vice President Dr Saulos Chilima and others should not bring divisions but rather unity.
“I stand before you today with a mixture of sorrow and gratitude bearing in mind that we have just lost our beloved Vice-President Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima, but this ceremony is a reminder that God has not left us without comfort but that he has given us a way,” said Usi.
He then thanked President Lazarus Chakwera for appointing him, saying he never expected to be a Vice-President today.
“I am filled with gratitude, I owe this to Dr Chakwera and of course Dr Chilima because he is the one who chose me as his running mate in 2019, which effectively opened this door for me,” said Usi.
The Vice-President urged Malawians to support him although he was quick to suggest that it will be very difficult for him to fill the big shoes left by Dr Chilima.
Dr Usi has officially occupied the office of Vice President succeeding late Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima who tragically died in a plane crash on June 10.
He is expected to govern together with President Dr Lazarus Chakwera for the rest of current presidential term.
Hundreds of people including members of Parliament, members of diplomatic community, senior government officials, traditional leaders and the general public witnessed the swearing in ceremony.
