Vice-President quits ahead of election

Malawi's Vice-President Justin Malewezi has resigned ahead of general elections due in May. In a surprise statement he furthermore resigned from the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF). He cited personal reasons for his departure: "I have resigned for personal reasons. At the same time, I have proceeded on leave pending retirement until I hand over the vice-presidency to my successor after the general elections on May 18, 2004." Justin Malewezi has served as first vice-chairman of the UDF since Malawi's elections in 1994, which ended the rule of long-time leader Hastings Kamuzu Banda.