Sata invites Muluzi for ‘state visit’ to Zambia
Zambia President Micheal Chilufya Sata has invited Malawi’s retired president Bakili Muluzi to Lusaka.
Secretrary General of Zamba’s ruling Patriotic Front, Wynter Kabimba and Muluzi confirmed about the visit.
Kabimba said President Sata wants to express his appreciation to Muluzi “for the support he rendered to him during difficult time.”
Honour
Muluzi told Nyasa Times that he will be flying to Zambia on Wednesday for two days where among other things he will pay respect to Zambia’s fallen Presidents, Levy Mwanawasa and Frederick Chiluba.
“I will visit Zambia from Wednesday on the invitation by His Execellency the President Micheal Sata,” said Muluzi.
“It is a great honour for me to go to Zambia and officially congratulate my long time friend His Excelency Sata for his election to the high office of president,” he added.
Homage
Muluzi, who is still dogged with back problems after his operation, said he will also pay homage to late Mwanawasa who died 2008 and first multipary democary president of Zambia, Chiluba.
The Malawi former leader who was close to Chiluba and Mwanawasa said he will lay wreaths at the fallen leaders tombs at the hero’s acre in Lusaka.
“It is a two day visit. I will return to Malawi on Friday,” said Muluzi.
Fall out
The relationship between Sata and Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika is however sour. President Sara accused Mutharika of failing to apologize for unceremoniously deporting him in 2007 as leader of Zambia`s main opposition Patriotic Front.
Sata was detained and declared a prohibited immigrant, bundled into a vehicle and driven across the country to the Malawi-Zambia border in Chipata when he flew into Malawi to hold talks with Muluzi.
Malawi government has since withdrawn the Prohibited Immigrant Status on Sata.
Analysts says Mutharika could use Muluzi’s good rapport with Sata to mend fences, saying the Zambian leader delegated former president Kenneth Kaunda to apologise to neighbouring Angola for committing “treachery” by backing ex-rebels who fought the Luanda government during the civil war.
Muluzi is expected to fly to South Africa for a routine medical check-up.
His appointment which was supposed to be held last week has been rescheduled after government delayed to facilitate logistics for his trip.
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