JB snubs Mutharika’s invitation on Independence celebration

Former President Joyce Banda has declined Malawi President Peter Mutharika’s invitation to attend this year’s independence celebration.

Banda (L) and Mutharika
Banda (L) and Mutharika

The country on Monday commemorates 51 years of independence with this year’s main celebration activities taking place at Kamuzu Stadium, Blantyre.

Nyasa Times established that government invited Banda among other high profile politicians to be part of the celebrations to be graced by President Mutharika.

In an interview, Banda’s Personal Aide, Andekuche Chanthunya said they did not receive the invitation.

”We have not received any invitation from government,” said Chanthunya.

Asked if the former president will attend the event despite the absence of the invitation, Chanthunya however refused to comment further, saying ”We will comment more once we get the invitation”.

But Minister of Information and government’s spokesperson, Kondwani Nankhumwa said they sent out the invitation last week.

”The invitation was sent by Tuesday. We have not received any confirmation of attendance but we expect her to be part of the audience as we commemorate our independence,” said Nankhumwa.

The main event at Kamuzu Stadium is expected to feature a football match between Malawi and Uganda.

Mutharika has a fractured relationship with Banda who turned down an “olive  branch” he offered after winning the 2014 disputed elections. Banda did not attend Mutharika’s swearing-in ceremony.

Banda has been outside the country since last year September.

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atate
atate
9 years ago

mavuto

Rodgers Banda
Rodgers Banda
9 years ago

Was this not a banquet for DPP comemorating destruction of Malawi?

Jamax
Jamax
9 years ago

Kaodi mai JB ine ndili ndi funso? kodi kuno ku Malawi mukuthawako chiani??? Ifetu mukutipatsa picture yoti muli nawo mu CASHGATE eti… tikatero tilakwa ngati?

babygirl
babygirl
9 years ago

Do you see anything to smile about? Malawi is approaching retirement age but nothing to show for it? So its now an offense to not want to celebrate while others still havent been paid? I dont blame her……..

Ameneyo
Ameneyo
9 years ago

I did not attend the celebrations. Why is someone not accusing me for being unpatriotic? What is there to celebrate for anyway? Maybe I am missing something

Cara @ Business Watch
9 years ago

Her decision, I suppose

chinkombaleza gumanyundo gowa
chinkombaleza gumanyundo gowa
9 years ago

Independence celebrations will always remind people about independence, will help renovate some of the buildings, will help educate our children about independence and many more even about how politicians behave on this day. I don’t see any difference from the past regime.

visit
visit
9 years ago

What I know is that opposition political leaders were not invited to the prayers, stadium and banquet and that is why they did not turn up. mCP attended the two former functions thru parliament as speaker and leader of the opposition in parliament.

It was pathetic to observe that the banquet was dominated by the Cabinet and DPP cadres. Where were captains of the industry, parastatal bossses and no single opposition member?

Does this reflect the reconciliation with the opposition that Mutharika was blubbing about when he came back from Mozambique?

Uken
Uken
9 years ago

Celebrating poverty for 51 yrs, n no hope for the future.

JOZEY IBUKU
JOZEY IBUKU
9 years ago

POMULUMBILISA PETER SANABWELE ,NDIYENO AZIMULAMBA GET OUT JB.

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