Abstract :
In 2009, Joyce Banda was elected Malawi?s first female vice president, but only months later she found her job in jeopardy when she refused to back the nomination of President Bingu Wa Mutharika?s brother Peter as successor of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Mutharika fired her as vice president of the DPP for ?anti-party? activities, but thankfully there was no impeachment. She continued to serve as the legal vicepresident of Malawi until 5 April 2012, when President Bingu Wa Mutharika suffered a fatal heart attack. When Mutharika?s cabinet sought to block Vice President Banda from becoming president, Army Commander Henry Odillo assured her of his support.
