Malawi to sell presidential jetBy AFP | Friday, June 8  2012 at  20:43

Malawian President Joyce Banda on Friday said her cash-strapped government will sell the presidential jet controversially bought by her predecessor.

President Banda announced the decision to sell the $13.3-million aircraft was "in line with my vision for economic recovery and also to demonstrate to Malawians that I am prepared to make sacrifices alongside them as they grapple with the effects of the ... devaluation of (national currency) the kwacha."

"The Cabinet has agreed that we must sell the presidential jet. I don't even know why we need one," she was quoted as saying from London by the state-run Malawi News Agency.

President Banda, 69, was addressing the Royal African Society and Britain's All Party Parliamentary Group after attending the diamond jubilee of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II.

The no-nonsense President, who prefers to be called Mrs Banda, succeeded late Bingu wa Mutharika after he died from a heart attack begin April.

Since taking over, she has launched a number of reforms to lure back international donors, whose funds her government depends on.