EU, Commonwealth join Malawi in mourning Mutharika
- Mutharika: Dead
The Commonwealth Secretariat in United Kingdom and European Union (EU) on Saturday issued statement to mourn with Malawians at the passing away of President Bingu wa Mutharika.
In a statement issued Saturday in London, Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma said he hoped Malawians will have the strength to cope with Mutharika’s death and that all concerned parties will find a peaceful and constitutional way forward from this tragedy.
“On behalf of the Commonwealth family and on my own behalf, I would like to convey my deepest condolences to the family of the late President and to the Government and people of Malawi.
“President Mutharika was a strong supporter of the Commonwealth. The membership has benefited from his active participation at various summits, including most recently, at the Heads of Government Meeting in Perth, Australia in 2011,” said Sharma who visited Malawi early this year at the invitation of Mutharika.
The secretary general said during his meeting with Mutharika they discussed Commonwealth values, and the practical partnerships that the Commonwealth would provide in future to strengthen adherence to those fundamental values.
“The Commonwealth stands in solidarity with Malawi at this trying time. I hope that the people of Malawi will have the strength to cope with this loss and that all concerned will find a peaceful and constitutional way forward from this tragedy. The Commonwealth will stand by Malawi, as a trusted partner, towards that end,” the Secretary-General concluded.
The European Union, one of Malawi’s development partners say will remember late Bingu Mutharika as a champion in achieving food security in the improverished Malawi.
In its condolence message to Malawians, EU has described the 78 old former president as a champion in Africa in advocating for food security
During his tenure of office Mutharika received a number of accolades and recognition internationally for making available food to 13 million Malawians, who previously were being subjected to hunger year after year
The success in achieving food security were directly attributed to his brain child a “fertilizer and seed subsidy programme” by his democratic progressive party
Late Mutharika was however widely criticised for his leadership style which was viewed as autocratic and intolerant to dissent.
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