Mutharika jets off on Malawian airlines: 3 nations tour of duty
President Peter Mutharika has started off his three nation tour of duty in Malawian passenger plane, the first trip since he was severely accused of chartering presidential planes when Malawi is sailing in troubled economic waters.
Mutharika, accompanied by First Lady Gertrude, stood on the doors of the plane to wave to top government and party officials who came to see him off before proceeding to his Business Class seat.
During a brief interview with the state controlled Malawi Broadcasting Corporation, Mutharika did not say why he had change of heart on his appetite for chartered presidential jets as just two months ago, he told Malawians that he would continue chartering presidential jets arguing he would not want to experience long delays at airports in flight connections.
This statement drew criticism from civil society groups who accused the president of becoming increasingly intolerant and arrogant.
Mutharika said at Kamuzu International airport that his focus in all the three countries he is visiting, Malta for Commonwealth heads of state and government meeting, in UK for a global investors summit and in South Africa for China Africa conference, would be on trade.
“These meetings are very important. Malawi will now have access to 54 international markets,” said Mutharika who said the UK summit will attract 800 international investors.
Earlier, minister of Foreign Affairs George Chaponda said the president would lead a lean entourage of 15 government officials.
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NOW THE PRESIDENT HAS STARTED USING MALAWI PASSENGER PLANE,ACHAKWERA WHAT IS YOUR COMMENT? JELASI SIUMUNA BAMBO.SOMETIMES TRY TO COMMENT POSITIVELY.2019 APM BOMAA.
Some of these idiots they don’t even know what it means to be a president
Let’s love our country in our comments. Washing dirty linen in public will not help us. We even ‘soil’ linen which is not dirty so that we are seen washing. Some people just want to talk ill about everything. Some of who have traveled and seen how people in other countries are patriotic about their nations get sick about Malawians. Instead of protecting the integrity of their nation Malawians think thy are wise when they talk ill about their country. They do this out of politics, tribalism, nepotistic tendencies or just jealous. And at the end of the day it’s… Read more »
Who will invest in Malawi when we dont have a stable currency, IMF and donors are taking revenge for Bingus action they are teaching us a lesson that we cannot survive without them which is proving to be true.. If you want investors to come control the runaway inflation and depreciation of Kwacha and dump IMF policies, IMF will not help Malawi nor the donors, once you fix one problem they will find a new problem. Chuka should immediately go i am suprised under his governorship Malawi has faced the worst cashgate, Infaltion and depreciation how can he still be… Read more »
‘Malawi will now have access to 54 international markets’ – What does Malawi have to trade with 54 international markets? Sounds grand, but means nothing.
Let the CSOs and MCP be happy because APM has flown our in a passenger plane and let them calculate if there will be some savings this time. Ubulutu ndi nsanje basi.
Mbalame imeneyi, Tichotsele zobayu ambuye. Atiphatu uyu.
Amalawi ndi ma Bulutu. Using Malawian airline to Malta, London and RSA is very expensive due to taxes and waiting time. Don’t think that Malawian Airline is Capital hill company they are in business as private sector and all charges will be effected.
Whether chartering or not but u r the president you deserve that …..its your duty and priviledges
I was not born yesterday Mr president, a chartered jet is waiting for you @ OR, KUNGOPAKA MATOPE M’MASO MWA MALAWI……….