Chakwera hails Malawi, Tanzania relations
President Lazarus Chakwera has described Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s visit as an opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties between the two neighbouring countries.
The Malawi leader, who welcomed his Tanzanian counterpart at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe on Wednesday, said the two nations will outline new areas of cooperation in a bid to spur sustainable development.
He said: “We expect, during the slated bilateral talks, to reinforce diplomatic and development cooperation as per several agreements under the Malawi-Tanzania Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation.”
Suluhu Hassan, who is in the country for a three-day State visit is expected to be the guest of honour at the 59th Independence Day Celebrations at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe today.
Soon after her arrival, she paid a courtesy call to the Lilongwe City Council before proceeding to the Bingu International Convention Centre where she attended a National Service of Worship held as part of the pre-Independence Day commemorations.
In her brief statement at the council, Suluhu Hassan thanked Malawi for the warm welcome, describing the country as her home.
On the other hand, during the National Service of Worship, Chakwera said in line with the theme for the 59th Independence Anniversary of ‘Celebrating renewed unity and patriotism’, Malawians should join hands in prayer for unity and patriotism.
He said: “The best source of our unity and patriotism is God Himself. I, therefore, call upon all Malawians to set aside time in their homes today, and to say a prayer for our country to do so together in the spirit of unity and to use that time of prayer to rededicate ourselves to patriotic service out of love for this country.
“Malawi is a great country, a blessed country, that beautiful country, a peaceful country, a united country and a promising country. And we have every reason to pray for it, to work for it and to die for it. So that tomorrow, our children’s children will find it to be an even greater country than it is today. “
The President read the scriptures from the Book of Nehemiah 3:1-5.
In his sermon, the CCAP Blantyre Synod general secretary the Reverend Billy Gama said Malawi can develop if its people live in unity and harmony.
On his part, Muslim Association of Malawi representantaive Sheikh Dinala Chabulika called on the nation to change its mindset and work hard to develop the country as well as to love the poor.
During the prayer service, K1.1 million was raised which will go towards assistance of Cyclone Freddy survivors.
The service was also attended by Vice-President Saulos Chilima, Leader of Opposition in Parliament Kondwani Nankhumwa and some Cabinet ministers.
Before her departure on Friday, the Tanzanian leader will also visit some communities affected by Cyclone Freddy that ravaged parts of the Southern Region in March this year.
Meanwhile, Chakwera has pardoned 2 298 prisoners as part of this year’s Independence Day celebrations.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry of Homeland Security says those pardoned have met the requirements of the guidelines of pardon to convicted prisoners and have demonstrated excellent behavioural reform while serving their sentences.
“These include convicted prisoners who have served half of their sentences,” it reads in part.
