Malawi's new flag

Around the time we arrived here, last September, there was a national uproar over the decision by HE (His Excellency; Bingu wa Mutharika) to alter the Malawi flag. Since independence its three bold stripes had been background for the image of a half-risen sun. No longer. Malawi, HE announced, was past those early days and the image of a fully-risen sun would more accurately represent the country's state of development. Hence, the new flag.

Fast forward nine months to today, past the expulsion of the British High Commissioner, the loss of donor budgetary support, the loss of IMF support, depleted foreign exchange reserves and days-long queues for petrol and diesel. The Minister of Natural Resources, Energy, and Environment's response? "Get used to fuel crises." The response on the ground? Maybe it's time for another new flag: