Chilima advocates for careers diplomats: Eject ‘political sycophants’ in Malawi embassies

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Eisenhower Mkaka, says his ministry has undertaken a functional review to create new directorates and divisions as a way of improving service delivery.

Vice-president Chilima meeting Minister of Foreign Affairs Mkaka and his ministry officials to orient them on reforms drive
Chilima: Malawi needs career diplomats

Mkaka made the remarks in Lilongwe on Tuesday during an engagement with the State Vice President, Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima, who is also the country’s Minister of Economic Planning and Development and Public Sector Reforms.

The mandate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is to foster political and economic international relations.

During the meeting, Mkaka highlighted a number of reform areas to be implemented ranging from the establishment of Career Diplomatic Service to restructuring of some of the Malawi missions abroad.

Chilima said he welcomed the proposal to restructure Malawi’s missions in a bid to broaden the country’s global representation and add value to their work. Through the restructuring, we must understand the extent of the establishments and their role in each mission.

“Heads of Mission must be capable people to link our country to the global world. They must identify investment opportunities for the country and cultivate strategic allies to help us meet our needs on the international stage. They are not there for holiday or solely welcoming government officials at airports,” said Chilima after meeting the minister.

Mkaka also also presented a reform proposal to establish a Career Diplomatic Service and a diplomatic school to train our personnel.

It is anticipated that the establishment of a Career Diplomatic Service will stop the tendency of sending political sycophants to foreign missions and the subsequent recalls every time a new regime is ushered in.

Chilima said he assured the minister that ‘the administration of His Excellency President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera will support the proposal especially with the fact that the legal framework on the proposal is being worked on already’.

“The ministry also indicated it is reviewing the VIP access at our international airports so that the abuse that has prevailed there is stopped. I have also recommended that an audit on diplomatic passports be carried out to review holders with the aim of reducing abuse. In addition, the ministry will have a purpose built building as well as acquire VVIP vehicles for specific use such as state visits by Heads of State and other VVIPs,” he said.

“The speed, energy and political leadership being shown by the Minister is commendable. Going forward, we will have a roadmap to ensure that we are all on the right track towards implementation,” added Chilima.

There has been widespread criticism over Malawi’s diplomatic service which has mainly been appointed based on political affiliation to parties in government. Many have advocated for career diplomats to represent Malawi if the country is to benefit from its representation abroad through trade, among other things.

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Vepwa
Vepwa
3 years ago

Macadet onse mma Embassy azipita. Plibepo zansamje apa. Mumaona ngati Mutharika azakhala wamuyaya. Mwauponda. Mumangwidwa. Simunati. Ine DPP ndinaituluka yautsiru kwambiri. Ndipo isazabwerenso. Macadet ku Embassy akukukuta mano. Mutipeza ku Malawi kuno. Tikupasani munda wolima ku Thyolo kuno.

Lota
Lota
3 years ago

Chilima is the most deluded charlatan of a VP our country has ever had. Too much talk and little understanding of things. Malawi is a small country and with a small economy, it means the productiveness of our embassies and their staff is dismal. I have gone to our embassies and felt sad for our Malawi officers working there. Little resources, lack of modern systems, almost zero- trade, cultural and economic initiatives. It’s pathetic. The idea that people in our embassies amalandira phwamwamwa and abuse money – ndi nsambi chabe. Most live a very modest life. Yachuluka ndi nsanje.

Canada
Canada
3 years ago
Reply to  Lota

Mediocre

ERUTU
ERUTU
3 years ago
Reply to  Lota

Lota you are an ENEMY TO PROGRESS 🗣️🇲🇼

Duwa
Duwa
3 years ago
Reply to  ERUTU

Atipeza ku Malawi kuno. Amaona ngati kukhala ku Embassy basi afikapo. Muzinamizila ulimi kuli kusowa pogwira. Ife ku Mulanje and Thyolo kuno tsopano ndi Tonse Alliance. Ma MP athu akusintha thabwa posachedwa. Nyimbo ya Lucius Banda ‘ Nthawi’ tivine

Peach
Peach
3 years ago

Ku Japan embassy kuli sister wake wa Ben Jerusalem Phiri. Wamwano heavy.

Banda
Banda
3 years ago
Reply to  Peach

Nsanje chabe nanu. Kondwani Muthali has always stood for the truth.

ERUTU
ERUTU
3 years ago
Reply to  Peach

Koma akuchokamo mu Japan mzimayi mukumubakirayu afune asafune kapena awonetse certificate

YuorHonor
YuorHonor
3 years ago

Just introduce a degree in diplomacy or international relations under the Public Administration department of a university of Malawi.

By-stander
By-stander
3 years ago

The partisan politics that is played at Malawian diplomatic missions abroad by members of staff is even more cut-throat than that practised here at home. Political appointees are usually more powerful but ignorant, uneducated people. They have massive inferiority complexes and they vent their feelings of insecurity by trying to frustrate well-qualified professionals.

CLEAR THE RUBBLE and DRAIN THE SWAMP!!

Peloma Pepe
Peloma Pepe
3 years ago

Great direction.

Mwini muzi
3 years ago

Malawi is unattractive product to sell. I can assure you that working at the embassy/high Commission marketing such a product is not all that exciting as people are led to believe. Some missions have no much work that a diplomat can be busy with. Such places like Japan, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Egypt are so quiet with not much activity taking place. Not worthy going there!.

Lota
Lota
3 years ago
Reply to  Mwini muzi

I totally agree. The problem with people like Chilima is that they talk too much and fool gullible people. Almost all our embassies have little work to do because Malawi is a small country and small economy.

myfriend
myfriend
3 years ago

The looks of Nkaka does not potray diplomacy. Until somebody told me that he used to work for FMB and stole money then I was able to appreciate because he looks more like a thug than a diplomatic. The guy biwitched.

Gawanizanuzokha Mc. Ben
Gawanizanuzokha Mc. Ben
3 years ago
Reply to  myfriend

You are misinformed. One thing I can tell you is that he was compasated by the same FMB. Do u compasate a thief?

Mpakateni
3 years ago

The idea for career diplomats is excellent, but there is no need to establish a school – that will be a waste of money. The department of Political Science and Administration at Chanco can organise a short training programme for the appointed diplomats.Key courses may be administration, diplomacy, political economy and marketing.

Bandung Cincau
Bandung Cincau
3 years ago

All cadets at Malawi Embassies, get prepared, time to return home has come. Some of you grew so much ego. Most of you are useless and you can’t even write. What you know is gossip and backstabbing those who know their job just because you feel they outshine you. You have survived at the Embassy by destroying those who know their job, you have used your political connections to see others suffer. Time for your suffering has come! Nyekhwe sikuchezatu!

Gee
Gee
3 years ago
Reply to  Bandung Cincau

😂🤣😂😂

Zagwazatha
Zagwazatha
3 years ago
Reply to  Gee

Diplomatic appointments are problem globally and the system is corrupt from founders of democracy and ife ku Malawi we just follow. Do your research from US, UK, RUSSIA, RSA, MOZAMBIQUE, BOTSWANA, DUBAI all over. Politician sazatheka kuli konse aMalawi asatipepeletse awa……. taonani even mmene agawirana ma ministerial position already mwachinyengo nde mukuyembekezela chilungamo ku ma Embassy…….

ERUTU
ERUTU
3 years ago
Reply to  Bandung Cincau

Indeeeee mwana wa Dausi anachosetsa mzimayi wodziwa ntchito yache wa Immigration.

Timabwezedwa akuti tilibe expert wa ma fingerprint 😭🇲🇼. Waste of space he is

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