Two African leaders attend funeral of Malawi's president's wife

Two African presidents on Saturday joined thousands of Malawians at the funeral of Ethel Mutharika, wife of Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika, who died last month after a two-year fight with cancer.

Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe and Tanzania's Jakaya Kikwete, with their wives and aides, travelled to Mutharika's estate at Ndata, 30 kilometres (18 miles) from the commercial capital Blantyre, where Ethel was buried in a colourful military ceremony.

Thousands of villagers lined the route from Blantyre to the estate, to pay their last respects to the woman Malawians fondly called the First Lady.

Former president Bakili Muluzi, at loggerheads with Mutharika in a power struggle, and current vice president Cassim Chilumpha, awaiting treason trial for an alleged attempt to assassinate the president, attended the ceremony, which lasted more than five hours.

Leaders of the country's powerful opposition, including John Tembo, also attended the funeral, which was broadcast live on state television and radio.

Ethel was married to Mutharika for 37 years. The couple had four children.