Den nye præsident i det sydlige Afrikas fattigste land gør op med sin forgængers indkøb – Malawi var en stor modtager af dansk bistand, indtil VK-regeringen smækkede kassen i med kort varsel i 2002.
Malawi’s government has invited bids for its 14-seat presidential jet, which is being sold off as part of cost-cutting measures, writes BBC online Monday.
The office of President Joyce Banda says the plane will be sold to the highest bidder in February.
Her predecessor, the late Bingu wa Mutharika, was strongly criticised for buying the jet five years ago at a cost of about 13,3 million US dollar.
Donors cut aid to Malawi by 4,4 million dollar after the purchase.
Mrs Banda has refused to travel in the jet since she took office last April, following Mr Mutharika’s unexpected death.
She has said money from the sale of the Dassault Falcon 900EX would be used to provide basic services for Malawi’s poor. Malawi is one of the poorest countries in Africa.
The notice said the jet was in “perfect flying condition” and can fly a range of 8.380 km non-stop.
Since taking over, Mrs Banda has taken several steps to improve relations with Western donors, BBC notes.
