Speaker of the National Assembly Catherine Gotani Hara has been appointed as a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) task force on peace resolution on the war in Ukraine.
Making the announcement when he presented his report on the IPU meeting in Parliament on Wednesday, Malawi leader of delegation to the 148th IPU General Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland Ken Kandodo said delegates recognised the urgent need for collective action to address challenges caused by the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
He indicated that IPU president Tulia Ackson appointed Hara to acknowledge Malawi’s efforts in promoting peace, stability and international cooperation.
Said Kandodo: “I want to report that it has pleased the IPU president to appoint our Speaker, to become a member of the IPU task force on the peaceful resolution of the war in Ukraine.”
Both government and opposition benches in Parliament hailed the appointment, saying it has put Malawi on the map.
Leader of the House Richard Chimwendo Banda said the appointment is not a mean achievement, adding it is a confirmation that Malawi would go a mile to reach out to other countries.
Leader of Opposition in Parliament George Chaponda said the appointment is a positive development in terms of putting the Parliament of Malawi and the country as a whole on the map.
He said: “We have been blacklisted in many forums because of our position at international level so this is something that will at least promote Malawi’s image worldwide.”
The Russia-Ukraine war started in 2021 and Russia escalated it in 2022. The war has disrupted supply chains and affected a number of countries.
Ukraine, which is among the biggest exporters of cereals to Africa, has been fighting to hold back the Russian invasion.
