Tensions between Madonna and Malawi have escalated after the government accused the Queen of Pop of demanding VIP treatment during her goodwill visit to the nation last week.
Malawi President Joyce Banda slammed Madonna for coming “unannounced and proceeded to villages and made poor people dance for her.” She believed Malawi “should have abandoned everything and … rolled out a red carpet and blasted the 21-gun salute in her honor,” the government said in a statement.
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In response, Madonna said in a statement, “I’m saddened that Malawi’s President Joyce Banda has chosen to release lies about what we’ve accomplished, my intentions, how I personally conducted myself while visiting Malawi and other untruths.”
“I have no intentions of being distracted by these ridiculous allegations. I came to Malawi seven years ago with honorable intentions. I returned earlier this month to view the new schools we built. I did not ever ask or demand special treatment at the airport or elsewhere during my visit.”
Madonna and her four children flew to the southeast African country last week to check on her charity, Raising Malawi. She was VIP when she arrived, but Banda reportedly stripped Madonna’s elevated status as she exited the country. Madonna was thus forced to go through standard security checks and wait in lines with regular travelers. Madonna and her spokesman were reportedly “very annoyed” by the status change.
Madonna’s also been accused of pulling back on plans to build a multimillion dollar academy for schools. Her statement referred to how she canceled plans to build an all-girls school to instead build 10 community schools because they are more “sustainable.”
She added that the feud is a result of her history with the president’s sister, Anjimile Mtila Oponyo, who was fired after heading Raising Malawi, and is now suing the nonprofit for wrongful termination.
“Madonna is not letting politics stand in the way of her deep commitment to help build schools there and educate as many children as possible,” said the singer’s publicist, Liz Rosenberg.
Banda also has issues with Madonna’s adoption of two Malawian children, David and Mercy. “I have a problem with a lot of things around the adoption of the children and the changing of the mind and then coming back to build community schools,” Banda said.