Britain assures Malawi President Banda of aid return
Britain will continue giving development aid to impoverished Malawi, deputy High Commissioner, Kirk Hollingsworth and Head of Department For International Development (DFID) have assured.
The British officials gave the assurance about the resumption of development assistance after an audience with President Joyce Banda.
Sara Sanyahumbi, head of DFID said they visited the new Malawi leader to offer their condolences on the death of late President Bingu wa Mutharika.
Britain closed aid taps to Malawi after late Mutharika expelled its diplomat who criticised him as an autocrat. London was also concerned on governance and human rights record.
But Sanyahumbi said Britain will help Malawi address various issues affecting the people.
“Britain is committed to ensuring that Malawi is back on track and that donors retain confidence in the country,” she said.
The DFID head said they will ensure that essential drugs are available in public hospitals.
Deputy British Commissioner, Kirk Hollingsworth said among others they discussed the reappointment of ambassadors to the two countries.
President Banda asked Britain and the United States to resume funding as she moved to heal breaches created by the late president Mutharika.
Her Excellency assures that she is “personally committed to ensuring that the government of Malawi addresses issues that negatively affected” relations with London.
The President said Britain will send a new high commissioner to restore relations after a tit-for-tat expulsion of top diplomats.
Malawi hopes its former colonial power will resume funding of annual aid worth 19 million pounds ($30 million, 23 million euro).
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