President Joyce Banda

Malawi's new President Peter Mutharika pardoned 403 prisoners on Saturday ahead of celebrations to mark 50 years since the country gained independence from Britain.

Malawi's President Peter Mutharika completed naming his 20-member cabinet overnight, bringing in a prominent opposition leader more than a month after chaotic elections that brought him to office.

Malawian President Joyce Banda on Saturday congratulated her arch-rival Peter Mutharika for winning the country's presidential election, whose result she had initially challenged.

Pop diva Madonna has weighed in on Malawi's chaotic election, criticising embattled President Joyce Banda, who has tried to nullify the vote amid allegations of irregularities

Malawi's President Joyce Banda on Saturday declared this week's chaotic election "null and void" and called for a fresh vote, but the high court rejected the decision.

Malawi's president is demanding a vote recount after alleging a national election this week was marred by rigging, though the election commission has dismissed the allegation.

Voting in Malawi spilled into a second day on Wednesday after riots sparked by the late opening of polls marred an election seen as a test of President Joyce Banda's scandal-tainted rule.

Malawians voted Tuesday in closely fought elections but polling was delayed by several hours in parts of the tiny and impoverished southern African nation, sparking anger among voters.

Madonna has branded allegations about her demanding behaviour in Malawi "ridiculous".

Malawi's new President Peter Mutharika pardoned 403 prisoners on Saturday ahead of celebrations to mark 50 years since the country gained independence from Britain.

Malawi's President Peter Mutharika completed naming his 20-member cabinet overnight, bringing in a prominent opposition leader more than a month after chaotic elections that brought him to office.

Malawian President Joyce Banda on Saturday congratulated her arch-rival Peter Mutharika for winning the country's presidential election, whose result she had initially challenged.

Pop diva Madonna has weighed in on Malawi's chaotic election, criticising embattled President Joyce Banda, who has tried to nullify the vote amid allegations of irregularities

Malawi's President Joyce Banda on Saturday declared this week's chaotic election "null and void" and called for a fresh vote, but the high court rejected the decision.

Malawi's president is demanding a vote recount after alleging a national election this week was marred by rigging, though the election commission has dismissed the allegation.

Voting in Malawi spilled into a second day on Wednesday after riots sparked by the late opening of polls marred an election seen as a test of President Joyce Banda's scandal-tainted rule.

Malawians voted Tuesday in closely fought elections but polling was delayed by several hours in parts of the tiny and impoverished southern African nation, sparking anger among voters.

Madonna has branded allegations about her demanding behaviour in Malawi "ridiculous".