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.
Cost cutting measure. 2 week European official travel Vs 2 day visit to Addis. How much is saved ?
That’s leadership, as opposed to Mugabe
He has a tendency of shunning regional and continental meetings and prefer world meetings like U.N. komwe akufuna iye ndi ku America. He will take with him the entire village. Useless!!!!!!!!!. You can’t fool us but your Lomwes!!!!!
I also share the same sentiments. If the trip was to go to America, he would jump for it. I am carefully watching if in future he will cancel trips to the western World. Done then the President will have my Credit. For now so far so good, my President.
Thanks mr president for cancelling this trip,you have shown that you indeed care for our economy.Enanu ngati mwasowa zolemba,zingogonani.musatisokosere ndi ma jelasi anuwo.
Why cnt we just say thank u for cancelling dis trip bwanji? Koma a Malawi tiyeni tiziyamika nthawi zina,osamangonyoza.
If it were a trip to EU to beg money, we would have gone. Investment forum for African Youth, we are not ready. Cost cutting at the expense of our future.
Bravo mr president enawa ndinsanje
Asatinamize awa iyaaaa…budget anapanga koma fuso ndi loti chaka chapitachi aseva zongati ndipo apangira chani? Kkkkkkk mmerikano uyu eeeee amandiwaza
Let the president decide between Malata and Cement subsidy and this important trip, they have squanderred the money from the Ethiopian Embassy. Can you stop G. G. lady from moving around aimlessly, talking abusing words to people as if she is the only wise lady, in the country
I wish you had gone to attend this one. Your job is so demanding both locally and intetnationally. Kodi private jet yanu yogula nokha simungakwanitse ife tizipanga hier kuti muziyendera? Kapena mukumanga nyumba. Ngati ndinyumba nde mwaganiza bwino. Koma maulendo ziyendani moya. Anthuwa simungawathe. Achuluka. Nthawi ndi imene mulibe. Papsyapo tongolani.