Two female African Presidents meet up
Malawi’s first female President and Africa’s second Mrs. Joyce Hilda Banda on Saturday paid homage to her idol and Africa’s first African President and Liberian leader president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on a two-day official visit to Monrovia in Liberia.
The Malawian leader is accompanied on the trip by her husband, the First Gentleman, retired Chief Justice of Malawi and Swaziland, Richard Banda and Ministers Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ephraim Mganda Chiume and minister of Gender and Women Affairs Anita Jumbe Kalinde.
President Banda’s entrouge includes Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Patrick Kabambe.
The Malawian ruler and her delegation were received at Roberts International Airport, a single runway landing field which is located near the town of Harbel, about 40 miles away from the capital city, Monrovia by her Liberian counterpart and host president, Madam Sirleaf.
After traditional airport formalities, President Banda was taken to the capital city Monrovia where the two only African presidents held their talks.
President Banda according a Liberian executive Mansion release was later presented with the Key to the City of Monrovia by the Acting City Mayor, Madam Mary Broh, before proceeding to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a closed door heart to heart tête-à-tête with President Sirleaf and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Justice.
President Banda also held closed door talks with Liberian Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan and Justice Minister Christina Tah before proceeding to dinner held in her honour.
The two African female Presidents then met the press at a joint stake-out in the Foyer of the Foreign Ministry.
During her talks with the Liberian head of state, the Malawian leader exchanged views of mutual interest and common concerns between the two countries with madam Sirleaf.
President Banda left the country on Friday, April 27 for South Africa where she joined President Jacob Zuma and the people of South Africa in commemorating that country’s Freedom day celebrations.
Speaking on departure at Chileka International Airport in Blantyre, President Banda said the trip to South Africa is to express gratitude to the rainbow nation for solidarity during the death of President Mutharika.
“My visit to South Africa is significant because our brothers and sisters stood by us when we lost President Bingu wa Mutharika,” said President Banda.
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