Malawi’s President Peter Mutharika has said it was now time to heal the country following the elections which have been highly divisive.

He was speaking at his swearing-in for a second term in office following his slim win in a controversial election.

Thousands of Mr Mutharika’s supporters sang and danced as he slowly made his way to the podium.

Many of those who thronged the Kamuzu stadium in the city of Blantyre were dressed in the blue and white colours of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.

And as the president took the oath of office, they shouted in jubilation.

The president was declared winner of the presidential race on Monday with 38.5% of vote.