Diplomats told of restricted acess to Malawi President
Malawi government has restricted diplomats and heads of international organisations accredited to the country that they cannot willy-nilly meet President Peter Mutharika.
In a correspondence to the diplomatic community under Note No. 05/2016 which Nyasa Times has seen, the Ministry OF Foreign Affairs said all appointments with the Head of State “can only be granted” in the case when presenting their Letters of Credence or when they are taking leave of the President of at the end of their tour of duty.
Government also said an appointment with President Mutharika can be granted when the Heads of Mission have been designated by their Heads of State as a Special Envoy the President.
“The Ministry has noted that some Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations directly contact government ministries or departments to get or pass on information, including requests for appointment with government officials,” reads the note.
The correspondence said the diplomatic mission and international organizations should be reminded that all communication to government ministries and department should be directed to the ministry on Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation “for onward transmission to the intended destinations.”
According to the letter, Ministries and Government Departments have been directed “not to accept any direct communication” with the diplomatic missions and International Organizations.
The Ministry -which is headed by George Chaponda – said requests for appointments should be made 10 working days prior to the proposed date of meeting “in order to allow adequate time for processing and provision of feedback.”
The diplomats have also been told that even seasonal greeting cards, goodwill messages and letters addressed to President Mutharika should be submitted to the Ministry of Foreign for onwards transmission to the President, as a matter of procedure.
The restrictions come after government intelligence are linking some diplomats for interfering with domestic politics.
US Embassy in Malawi vehemently denied participating in a plot to unseat President Mutharika and have leader of opposiiton MCP Lazarus Chakwera take over.
The state intelligence findings implicated United States top diplomat Virginia Palmer as aiding the plot for allegedly hosting meetings at her official residence.
But Edward J. Monster, Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy dismissed the claims and accusations, saying there is no iota of truth.
The United States says it only supports political transitions that are democratic, constitutional, peaceful and legal.
Meanwhile, ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) spokesman, Francis Kasaila said the governing party expects those names in the alleged “coup” plot should prove their innocence.
“Let them come out and exonerate themselves,” said Kasaila, who is also Minister of Transport and government leader in parliament.
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Britain and USA ambassadors must pack and go please.we don’t want them in our country.we’re independent n our country is running without them.Malawi wake up please
Only corrupt pepo don’t need appointment they contact directly. So if you have a corrupt deal don’t worry call direct.
A Malawi mudzadzuka liti? Azungu ndi milungu yanu? You need to feel pity and ashamed of yourself. Do you think for you to live is azungu. Why cant you work up and work for yourself. The country is running without a zungu iiiii koma!!!!!! Coordination, Organisation is part of management principles. You cannot allow anybody to do whatever they want in a foreign country. Bwanji kudzitchipitsa chonchi a Malawi? Pali zinthu zina you can talk in public but others not, stop kuyalutsa dziko lathu chonde.
Boma lake liti? kodinso kuno tili pulezidenti? Professor Chakwera akatenga mabvutowa adzipita nawo kuti? Simukuona kuti Boma linalandidwa kale. Zakuba zomatelo.
The coup plot issues are the most stupid allegations made in Malawi. You have Young Pioneer graduate as spy boss what does he come up with. The US Ambassador can meet with Chakwera at any time and the Constitution is clear on succession and we have tested it how it works recently. So how can one stupid minister in the name of Kasaila talk such senseless stuff. I hate it when educated people play uneducated it makes going to school to be seen to be useless.
“it Only supports political transitions that are democratic, constitutional,Peaceful and legal” end of qote , USA. Pali nkhani apa, Mabvuto alipo, DPP govt placing a punic button.
question.
1. Was dpp transition peaceful, constitutional, democratic and legal? Your gues is as good as mine.
W e have manged to survive without donor support so why should we sink so low to the so called diplomats who have no respect for us as a nation a well as our head of state. Let them go back home after all they are paid for their services right here. If I was the head of state I would boldly castigate all of them since there is nothing we can lose at least from USA, Britain. Except China and a few nationalities we can do without these so called donors
Signs of sour relationship with the diplomatic community. Kuithawa MK577bn kumeneku?
It is in the blood …………..
signs of bad times a sour relationship give them back 577 full stop or we continue perishing