Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika has died after a heart attack, medical and government sources said on Friday, April 6, although few of his countrymen mourned a leader widely seen as an autocrat responsible for a stunning economic collapse, Reuters reported.

The 78-year-old was rushed to hospital in Lilongwe on Thursday after collapsing but was dead on arrival, the sources said. State media said he had been flown to South Africa for treatment although his immediate whereabouts remained unclear.

Medical sources said the former World Bank economist had been flown out because a power and energy crisis in the nation of 13 million was so severe the Lilongwe state hospital would have been unable to carry out a proper autopsy or even keep his body refrigerated.

Many Malawians blamed Mutharika personally for the economic woes, which stemmed ultimately from a diplomatic spat with former colonial power Britain a year ago.

Armenia and Malawi established diplomatic relations on Jan 20, 2012 at the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the United Nations in New York.

Armenia hopes to open its doors to Malawi tour operators to visit the Asian country, specifically century-old monasteries and other touristic resorts, while Malawi is keenly looking forward to explore opportunities that exist of its tobacco and other agricultural products.

According to a communiqué, the two countries have agreed to promote their bilateral cooperation through their diplomatic missions at the United Nations and other convenient diplomatic channels.