Diplomats finally deployed
After months of uncertainty, Malawi has finally deployed to their respective foreign missions several high commissioners and ambassadors appointed seven months ago by President Peter Mutharika.
Since August last year, Mutharika has appointed 19 diplomats with some being withdrawn after failing interviews conducted by Parliament’s Public Appointments Committee (PAC). Others turned down the appointment.
Six of them who were appointed two months ago were interviewed by PAC last week.
Chief Secretary to the Government George Mkondiwa declined to disclose the results when contacted yesterday.
Without elaborating, Mkondiwa said: “I received the results from the chairperson of PAC, but I cannot disclose them right now.”
The six include Ken Mphonda (United Kingdom) Michael Kamphambe-Nkhoma replacing Voice Mhone in Germany who was rejected by PAC, Anne Kumwenda (Zimbabwe), replacing Thoko Banda who turned down the appointment.
Others are Wilfred Ali as Ambassador to Kuwait, Isaac Munlo as High Commissioner to India and Caroline Bwanali Mussa, Ambassador to Egypt replacing Yunus Mussa who was also rejected by PAC.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation spokesperson Quent Kalichero said yesterday most of the first appointees had already left to pick up their positions.
Among them are Chimango Chirwa, Ambassador to Ethiopia and the African Union (AU), Brian Bowler (United Nations), Charles Namondwe (China), Perks Ligoya (from India to Kenya), Hanna Ndilowe to Dar es Salaam while Necton Mhura is expected to leave for the United States of America (USA) on Sunday and Ted Kalebe has just been given his visa to Belgium and is scheduled to depart next week.
Kalichero said some of those yet to be deployed like Chrissie Kaponda (South Africa), Edward Sawerengera (Brazil) and Frank Viyazi, High Commissioner to Mozambique were waiting for communication from their hosting nations.
Said Kalichero: “There are long processes and it takes a bit of time. Otherwise, in the next few weeks, they should all be going to their various destinations.”
Government is in the process of recalling over 50 diplomats and staff and replacing them in an exercise expected to cost the taxpayer over K500 million.
