Malawi President Mutharika cancels African Union summit  trip: ‘Cost-cutting measure’

Malawi President Peter Mutharika  has cancelled his official trip to attend the African Union (AU) summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the 29th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union.

Cancellation of the President’s trip was a result of the austerity measures as government wants to reduce frequent internal and external travels of the Head of State and Cabinet ministers.

“I can confirm that the President is not going to the summit,” said  Presidential press secretary and spokesman Mgeme Kalilani.

Malawi is reportedly going to be represented at the summit by its envoy in Addis Ababa, Chimango Chirwa as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Coopertaion Francis Kasaila is also reportedly not going to attend on behalf of the President.

The move has been welcomed as a commendable gesture to manage the travel budget

The two-day summit opens Modnay under the theme, “Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through Investment in the Youth.”

It would examine cross-cutting issues affecting African economies and the opportunities and options that could be exploited for continental transformation.

Significant among the issues likely to be discussed at the meeting include continental trade, AU reforms, peace and security, funding for the AU, and youth empowerment.