The Life and Dealings of Joyce Banda in the United Kingdom

         

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Republic of Malawi

PRESS BRIEFING

ON THE RETURN

F HER EXCELLENCY MRS JOYCE BANDA

FROM HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II’S DIAMOND

 JUBILEE CELEBRATION AND AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

14^TH JUNE, 2012

                                                       

 

·       YOUR EXCELLENCY MRS. JOYCE BANDA, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MALAWI;

·       YOUR EXCELLENCY THE CHIEF JUSTICE  RICHARD BANDA, SC (RETIRED)

·       RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY CHIMUNTHU BANDA, M.P., SPEAKER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY;

·       YOUR LORDSHIP LOVEMORE MUNLO, SC, THE CHIEF JUSTICE;

·       CABINET MINISTERS AND DEPUTY MINISTERS;

·       MR BRIGHT MSAKA, SC, CHIEF SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT;

·       HONOURABLE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT;

·       YOUR EXCELLENCIES MEMBERS OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS;

·       MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE PEOPLE’S PARTY;

·       COMMANDER OF THE MALAWI DEFENCE FORCES, GENERAL  HENRY ODILLO;

·       INSPECTOR GENERAL OF MALAWI POLICE SERVICES, MR. LOT DZONZI;

·       TRADITIONAL LEADERS;

·       RELIGIOUS LEADERS;

·       MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA;

·       LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

1.0   INTRODUCTION

Her Excellency Mrs. Joyce Banda, President of the Republic of Malawi paid a visit to the United Kingdom from 4^th to 8^th June, 2012, where she went to attend Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II assumed the throne in 1952.   Many world leaders from the Commonwealth and other countries attended the celebrations.  While in the United Kingdom, Her Excellency the President also had a number of official Engagements.

2.0   THE DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

As part of the festivities to mark the Diamond Jubilee, Their Excellencies and other invited guests attended a Diamond Jubilee Reception and a BBC concert at the Buckingham Palace on 4^th June, 2012.  Their Excellencies also attended a Thanksgiving Service of Worship in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul’s Cathedral and a Diamond Jubilee Luncheon hosted by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Rt. Honourable William Hague, MP, at Lancaster House on 5^th June, 2012.

Finally Their Excellences and other leaders were treated to a luncheon which was hosted by the Commonwealth Secretary General, His Excellency Kamalesh Sharma in honour of the Queen as the Head of the Commonwealth at Malborough House on 6^th June, 2012.

Their Excellencies attendance of the celebrations marking the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has greatly enhanced the image of Malawi in the United Kingdom and will go a long way in consolidating the excellent and historic ties between Malawi and the United Kingdom.

3.0   OTHER SIDE EVENTS

While in the United Kingdom, Her Excellency, the President carried out a number of official engagements as follows:

(a)    Meeting with Dr. Ann Gloag of the Gloag Foundation

On 5^th June, 2012, Her Excellency the President met with Dr. Ann Gloag of the Gloag Foundation.  During the meeting, the President discussed maternal health matters particularly the problem of fistula.  The Gloag Foundation has been working in Malawi in the treatment of women with fistula problems.  She indicated that her organization will soon establish a big fistula clinic at Bwaila Hospital in Lilongwe.

(b)    Meeting with the Secretary General of the Commonwealth, His Excellency Kamalesh Sharma

Her Excellency, the President met with the Commonwealth Secretary General, His Excellency Kamalesh Sharma at Claridges Hotel on 5^th June, 2012.  During the meeting, Her Excellency the President briefed Mr. Sharma of the policy direction that her government has taken in order to improve the lives of Malawians. In this regard, Her Excellency the President informed the Commonwealth Secretary General that her vision for Malawi is poverty eradication through growing the economy, creation of jobs and generation of wealth. The President invited the Commonwealth to assist her government in this noble endeavour.

Mr. Sharma congratulated Her Excellency the President on her ascension to the presidency and commended her and the people of Malawi for the smooth transition.  He indicated that the Commonwealth was ready to work with the government of Malawi in areas of governance, education, health and conservation of natural resources. He singled out the Electoral Commission as a special area of focus and pledged assistance in building its capacity. The Commonwealth Secretary General also expressed willingness to assist Malawi in negotiating contractual agreements as it develops further its mining industry.

(c)    Meeting with Mr. Michael Osigwe, Malawi’s Honorary Consul Designate to Nigeria

The President met with Mr. Michael Osigwe, Malawi’s Honorary Consul-Designate in Nigeria on 5^th June, 2012.  Her Excellency the President emphasized that Nigeria is an important player in African politics and economic development hence the need for Malawi to be represented in that country and called on Mr. Osigwe to represent Malawi to the best of his capability.  Mr. Osigwe assured Her Excellency the President that he will actively and vigorously serve the interests of Malawi in Nigeria.

(d)    Meeting with Messrs. Alex Lemon and William Dawes of Mkango Resources Limited

Her Excellency also met with Messrs Alex Lemon and William Dawes of Mkango Resources Limited, a Canadian mining company on 5^th June, 2012.  The two came to congratulate Her Excellency the President and to assure her of their company’s support to the government in her efforts to create employment and reduce poverty in the country. 

(e)    Meeting with Baroness Lynda Chalker of Africa Matters Limited at the Royal Overseas League House.

On 6^th June, 2012, Her Excellency the President met with Baroness Lynda Chalker, Chairperson of Africa Matters Limited, an organization she established to promote investment in Africa. She outlined government policies to make Malawi an investment friendly nation. She outlined the investment opportunities that are available in Malawi in sectors such as agriculture, mining, energy, tourism and infrastructure development.  Six investors, who attended the meeting, representing energy, mining, agriculture, finance, business and ICT sectors, assured Her Excellency of their willingness to invest in Malawi and will arrange to visit the country.

(f)     Meeting with Right Honourable Jack McConnell

Her Excellency the President also held discussions with Right Honourable Jack McConnell, former First Minister of Scotland on 6^th June, 2012.  The former First Minister expressed his condolences following the death of the late President Bingu wa Mutharika and congratulated Her Excellency the President upon her ascension to the Presidency and expressed the hope of continued cordial relations with Scotland.   Her Excellency the President took the opportunity to apprise him of the political and economic developments taking place in Malawi.

(g)    Meeting with the Royal African Society

On 7^th June, 2012, Her Excellency the President held a meeting with members of the Royal African Society, an eminent organization which fosters a better understanding of Africa in the United Kingdom and throughout the world. It promotes trade and investment and also disseminates knowledge and insights which immensely contribute to Africa’s socio-economic development.

During the meeting, the President stated her vision for Malawi which is to eradicate poverty through economic growth and wealth creation which will be achieved through the implementation of the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS II). Her Excellency the President showcased investment opportunities in Malawi which include agriculture, mining, tourism, energy and infrastructure development. She called upon then Royal African Society to drum up support for Malawi in the United Kingdom and to identify and encourage potential investors to come to Malawi. 

 (h)   Meeting with the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Malawi and Zambia

Her Excellency the President met with the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Malawi and Zambia on 7^th June, 2012.  This is a group of Parliamentarians drawn from both the House of Lords and Commons that works to promote the interests of Malawi and Zambia in both Houses of the UK Parliament.   Her Excellency the President commended the group for its laudable work in promoting interests of Malawi in the UK Parliament. The President invited the group to continue helping the country in promoting the good image of Malawi, the Warm Heart of Africa.  She expressed her readiness to meet members of the group to discuss any matter of mutual interest. The group congratulated Her Excellency the President upon her ascension to the presidency and pledged to continue supporting her government in its noble endeavour to eradicate poverty and entrench good governance and rule of law.

(i)     Presentation at Chatham House

Her Excellency the President presented a statement at Chatham House on Malawi’s Policy and Priorities for a Globalised World on 7^th June, 2012. Chatham House is one of the world’s most leading and reputable think tanks on international affairs. In her presentation, Her Excellency spelt out the policy direction that her government has taken in order to position Malawi to benefit from globalization. Key policy issues included regional integration, the Doha round of talks; access to universal health care; the fight against HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis; peace and security; and reform of the United Nations. The President also outlined her policy for women and the youth in the form of the Presidential Initiative on Hunger and Poverty. Under this initiative, Her Excellency the President will develop cooperatives across the country that will grow cash crops thereby creating jobs and wealth for women and the youth.

The presentation was well received by a diverse audience of academicians, researchers and investors.

(j)     Meeting with Malawians Living in the United Kingdom

While in the United Kingdom, Her Excellency the President had the opportunity to meet with Malawians living in the UK on 7^th June, 2012.  The President called on them to live in harmony.  She also asked them to promote the good image of the mother country, Malawi, in the UK.  She asked them to play a role in promoting investment in Malawi.  She also called on them to open foreign denominated accounts at home to help in shoring up foreign exchange levels in the country. The President further assured the Diaspora that her government will continue consulting them on issues of their concern and those on national interest.

The Group of Malawians congratulated Her Excellency the President upon her ascension to the presidency and pledged to work with her Excellency’s government.  They also took the opportunity to condole Her Excellency upon the death of the late President Prof. Bingu wa Mutharika. They requested Her Excellency the President to consider issues of dual citizenship and review of MRA duty on vehicles they send to Malawi.

4.0.  OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Their Excellencies departed London for Washington, DC on 8^th June, 2012. While in Washington, Her Excellency had the following engagements:

4.1   Meeting with Malawians in the United States of America

On 9^th June, 2012, Her Excellency the President met with Malawians living in the United States of America. The President urged the Malawians to play a critical role in the fulfillment of Her Government’s vision of poverty eradication. She encouraged them to open up foreign currency denominated accounts in the country to help boosting the foreign exchange reserves.

4.2   Meeting with the IMF Managing Director

Her Excellency the President had a meeting the with Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Mrs. Christine Lagarde on 11^th June, 2012. During the meeting, the President outlined the economic challenges that Malawi is facing and the plans that her Government has put in place to bring the economy back on track. She assured the IMF Managing Director that her Government is looking forward to the successful conclusion of discussions on an Extended Credit Facility program with the IMF which will assist in resolving the economic challenges. The IMF Managing Director responded that she was impressed with the actions that Malawi has taken since Her Excellency took over the reins of power. She said that she was confident that the IMF Board will approve the economic program when it meets in July.

4.3   Meeting with the World Bank Managing Director

Her Excellency the President also had a meeting with the Managing Director of the World Bank, Sri Mulyani Indrawati. During the meeting, Her Excellency also outlined the economic challenges that Malawi is going through and called upon the Bank to assist in cushioning the adverse impact of the economic measures that she had to take. The World Bank Managing Director assured Her Excellency that her institution was putting together a US$150 million package to help cushion the economic shock on the poor. She commended Her Excellency for the sound economic policies that she has put in place which has brought confidence to the international community.

4.4   Meeting with the Millennium Challenge Corporation

Her Excellency the President had a meeting with the Vice President responsible for Operations of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, Mr. Patrick Fine. Her Excellency outlined the steps that her Government has taken to resolve the economic and human rights governance issues that had let to the Malawi Compact being put on operational hold. She called on the MCC to reconsider its position the Compact as it will address one of the major bottlenecks affecting the economy, namely energy. In reply Mr. Fine informed Her Excellency that the MCC was impressed with the steps that Her Government has taken to improve economic and political governance in the country. He was confident that when the MCC Board meets later this month, a decision will be taken to resuscitate the Compact.

4.5   Panel Discussion on Frontiers of Development

Her Excellency the President joined other leaders in a Panel Discussion on Frontiers of Development. The other leaders who took part in the panel discussion were President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, President Atifete Jahjaga of Kosovo, and former Prime Minister of New Zealand Helen Clark who is now the UNDP Administrator.

CONCLUSION

The visit to the United Kingdom by Her Excellency the                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           President to attend the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was an epoch making and resounding success as it portrayed Malawi’s solidarity with the United Kingdom and the rest of the Commonwealth countries.  Likewise, the visit to the United States of America was a resounding success because it gave confidence to the international community that Her Excellency’s Government is determined to address the economic challenges facing the country. Through this visit, Her Excellency has managed to get assurances of support from the international community to resolve these challenges for the benefit of the people.

Shame, Not Common Sense, Behind Joyce Banda's AU Summit Snub

Hard reality has started firing from all the angles for Malawi's embattled President, Joyce Banda.
By announcing that she will not be part of next month's African Union (AU) Summit in Ethiopia is, in itself, a sign that Southern Africa's only female president is not ready to face the consequences of her actions.
The fact that she was full of life and buzzing a couple of weeks ago contrasts sharply with present realities. Of course, she tried to put up a brave face during the media-interface on Thursday, attributing all her miseries and quagmires to her dislike for anything unMalawian.In other words, she hid all her uncertainties under the shrub of her unconditional love for all things Malawian.
That is the price people pay for throwing all camaraderie to the dogs, and sneezing hard  at soft cash.
That is why, without prior notice, Banda has changed what Malawians stood for: Love for all human kind.
This love was manifested in the never-ending smiles, and the spirit of endurance in the people, and the communal spirit that has characterised the spirit of the Malawian since the time the charming Chewa of the Central region, the friendly Mang'anja of the Southern Region, the great Ngoni of the Central, Southern, and Norther Malawi, the courteous Tumbuka of the Northern region, the warm-hearted Ngonde, Nyachusya, Yao, and the eloquent Sena and Lomwe agreed to come together, become Malawians, and live in eternal peace thereafter.
Together, they make Malawi the Warm Heart of Africa.
Together, they have tried to make Malawi a God-fearing Nation.
But Banda has said 'No' to all this. Not only through her actions; she has made it clear through her own mouth.
That Thursday, on her trip from the United States of America and United Kingdom, Banda confirmed what others had long-suspected; that she had coined another definition of Malawi.
Malawi is no longer 'The Warm Heart of Africa', or 'God-fearing Nation': Malawi is a donor fearing nation!
In fitting Malawi's new cap as a donor-fearing nation, Banda said on Thursday, employing her unforced mouth: "We have not been a donor-fearing nation for three years. But what did we gain? What option do we have, as a nation, so that we cannot go back to the IMF (International Monetary Fund)? I will not be loving Malawians if I become militant against donors. ...We are a donor-depending nation because we depend on them" 
Therein lies Malawi's tragedy.
With this kind of (mis)thinking, it came as no surprise to hear Banda announce that she will not be part of the AU summit in Ethiopia!
That meeting was initially slated for Lilongwe, Malawi.
At first, the reports that Malawi would host Africa's greatest club of leaders came as rumours. Then, fallen president Bingu wa Mutharika confirmed.
It was real. Official. Just in the nick of time, it became Malawi's new reality.
But the worst part in that reality was yet to come.
A man, so honourable in the ways of his dressing, and the manners of his walking, and his stature when walking; a man indicted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity was to be part of the greatest feast of African leaders.
Without him, the dining, and wining, and laughter, and point-making would be incomplete.
That is how Sudanese president Omar Al Bashir came into the picture. No, it is not a picture any more- pictures being so static and unlively, and unquestioning. It is a dilemma.
Al Bashir came into the Malawi dilemma. Then, Al Bashir became Malawi's dilemma.
But it only turned into Malawi's dilemma when the Southern African Development Community Country lost its dear leader and president, the nationalist Bingu wa Mutharika.
Bingu knew the solution. He had invited Al Bashir to a Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa meeting before his April 5, 2012 untimely death.
That was the solution: Inviting Al Bashir.
But the solution had its repercussions. Financial repercussions.
The international community, already wary of Mutharika governance style, squeezed the aid taps.
Malawi entered into a silent, but hurting, crisis. This must have contributed to Malawi's fuel shortage problems. And economic problems. And hope-deficiency problems.
But Mutharika was unfazed. He stood his ground. In his world of colour and so many possibilities, Africa came first.
And, then, he died.
Unexpected.
Unannounced.
The nation wept.
And buried him at his Rest of Peace resting place in Thyolo, Southern Malawi.
His farm became his resting place.
Ndata farm is his final abode.
There, he rests.
Unaware of the world around.
Unaware the the AU summit has been councelled.
Joyce Banda, hitherto Vice-President, came in. She came onto the scene. As Malawi's president.
She did not understand Mutharika's solution.
She decided to tell the world that the African Al Bashir was unwelcome in Malawi, and that he would be arrested.
The AU responded by shifting the summit to its Addis Ababa headquarters.
Malawi left in the cold.
Banda was surprised.
Now she will not attend.
Instead, she will delegate Vive-President Khumbo Kachali.
The die is cast.
She is now dancing to the confusing music of politics.
That is life, to her.
To the Malawian, a loss. Businessmen and women had invested heavily in the hospitality industry.
Others invested heavily in car rental businesses. They purchased new vehicles.
But the people should understand the haste in Joyce Banda;s decision.
It is the sense of shame that is pulling her back. It is not anger or common sense.
Joyce Banda has entered the pit of shame.

UN human rights high-level visit to Malawi, 18 – 21 June

LILONGWE – The United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Kyung-wha Kang, on Monday begins a four-day mission to Malawi to discuss a wide range of human rights issues with the Government and other stakeholders in the country.

 

This will be the first visit to Malawi by a senior UN human rights official. During her visit, Ms. Kang will meet a number of senior Government officials, including several ministers, as well as the parliamentary leadership, the Malawi Human Rights Commission, civil society organizations and UN agencies.

 

"This is a pivotal moment towards a great transition for Malawi," Ms. Kang said ahead of the visit. "The UN Human Rights office is looking forward to engaging with the Government and civil society in the country and we stand ready to support them in improving the enjoyment of human rights for all."

 

At the end of her visit, on Thursday 21 June at 10am, the Deputy High Commissioner will hold a press conference in the conference room of the UN Development Programme office in Block A of the UN premises.

 

 

Learn more about the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Kyung-wha Kang: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/AboutUs/Pages/DeputyHighCommissioner.aspx

 

OHCHR Country Page for Malawi:http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/AfricaRegion/Pages/MWIndex.aspx

Cash or African Solidarity: Joyce Banda's Dilemma

It boiled down to a moral validity question and, being a morally-upright pretender,  Malawi's President, Joyce Banda, fell for it.
She did  not need a retreat, having made her mind way before she ascended to Malawi's top most position of Chief Executive Officer  and preside over the destinies of 14 million people. No, it (the situation) was not like a tempestuous sea.
What is clear, though, is that it all depended on her. Banda was the harbour against which the tempest seas would hit. As such, she was expected to make a decision that would shelve her people from the effects of the mad sea of international relations and politics.
And, when she did, it was not like a decision thrust upon her by circumstances. She had made it herself, when she was the country's Vice-President.
Banda was equivocal, during former president Bingu wa Mutharika's regime, against the country's decision to host the African Union summit  slated for July.
When fate raised her up, she begun to change colours- mere colours.
Her heart remained unchanged.
Put to her that the summit was rooming, and that Malawi needed to make her position clear, Banda shifted responsibility to cabinet. She promised that members of the cabinet, who are her puppets by default, would sit down, decide the next course of action, and make it public.
But, before that, she was all over the international media, telling the world media Malawi would, not only host the summit but, arrest Sudanese president Omar Al Bashir if he dared bring his well-polished shoes to Malawi, and trample on the sacred, red soils of the land of the lake.
Incensed, the African Union simply called off the meeting in Malawi, and shifted it to Ethiopia. Of course, Ethiopia has always been the headquarters of the African Union, and its predecessor the Organisation of African Unity.
Now, Zimbabwe has joined the fray of countries condemning Malawi. The country's state-run newspaper accused Malawi of trampling upon the principles of African solidarity for United States Dollars and Euros.
But Information Minister Moses Kunkuyu says Malawi is not moved, and that the country is, in fact, pondering on whether to attend the summit in Ethiopia.
That suggests that Malawi is entertaining the idea of absconding from the summit.
Of all the African countries, it is aonly South Africa, Zambia and Botswana that seem to support Malawi's stand on Al Bashir.
The rest, being so full a basket of rotten apples, are bewildered and dismayed. They know they have skeletons in their cupboards.
But that is beside the point. The point is that it has become saddening to note that Malawi, under the leadership of Banda, is becoming a ship without a fixed port of destiny.
Cash, Harare has suggested, seems to be the motivating factor.
What Zimbabwe has done is to indirectly call Malawi's president 'greedy', as opposed to being 'principled'.
So, all of a sudden, a country that saved Zimbabwe from the jaws of hunger (and whose bill Zimbabwe is yet to honour) has become so focused on money it is no longer a guarantee that it would save   other African states in dire need of help.

Botswana Speaks on the Hosting of the 19th Ordinary Session of the AU Summit

Gaborone ,  12 June 2012  : The Government of Botswana is deeply concerned about the pressure exerted by the African Union Commission on the Government of Malawi to commit to hosting President Al Bashir at the forthcoming AU Summit in July this year. Unfortunately, this pressure has consequently, led to the Summit being moved to Addis Ababa, thus depriving Malawi to host the meeting.

Botswana therefore condemns this action as it is inconsistent with the very fundamental principles of democracy, human rights and good governance espoused by the AU, and which Malawi upholds. It is our considered view that Malawi as a sovereign state has the right to make decisions it may deem necessary, in fulfillment of her obligations under both the Rome Statute and the AU.

In this regard, Botswana will take the opportunity at the forthcoming AU Summit to put its case across on this important matter of principle.

Contact - Public Relations  , Research and Information Department
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Amnesty in Anti-Arms Proliferation Programme

With the Tweet-a-thon we will increase the pressure on the “Big Six” (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany). Please try to tweet from the 13th to 16th June at 15:30 GMT/ 16:30 UK/ 11:30 EDT
DAY	MESSAGE	TWEET IT!
Wednesday 13th June	@MFA_Russia stop arms going into the hands of those who use them for serious #humanrights abuses. Support an #ArmsTreaty with strong human rights rules
	@MFA_Russia Govts that supply arms for atrocities are responsible too. No more arms for atrocities, time for a bullet-proof #ArmsTreaty
Thursday 14th June	Ask UK Govt to keep up the pressure at the #ArmsTreaty talks & get small arms & ammo in the treaty. Leave a comment: http://amn.st/Jn0r1k
	Remind the UK Government that an #ArmsTreaty must have human rights at its heart. Leave a comment at: http://amn.st/Jn0r1k
Friday 15th June	@GermanyDiplo The world can’t wait. We need a bullet-proof #ArmsTreaty with strong human rights rules
	@GermanyDiplo Keep the world’s weapons out of the wrong hands. Support a bullet-proof #ArmsTreaty with strong human rights rules.
Saturday 16th June	#China can help create a safer world, by supporting a strong #ArmsTreaty with human rights protection this July
	#China is one of the top 6 arms exporters. We need China to support a bullet-proof #ArmsTreaty with strong #humanrights

In solidarity and with thanks,

Commemoration of the Day of the African Child 2012

AFRICAN UNION		UNION AFRICAINE
		UNIÃO AFRICANA
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia P. O. Box 3243       Tel; 5517 700      Fax: 5511299 Website:   www.au.int

DIRECTORATE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION

MEDIA ADVISORY

Commemoration of the Day of the African Child 2012

Theme :"The Rights of Children with Disabilities: The Duty to Protect, Respect, Promote and Fulfil"

INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

When:	14-15 June 2012
Where:	New African Union Conference Center (AUCC), AU Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Who:	Organized by The Chachi International and Wings Education and Media in collaboration with the Department of Social Affairs of the African Union.
Objectives:	·         The aim of the program is to bring together children from different African countries (mainly children with disabilities), parents, teachers, international agencies, member states and civil society organizations to discuss the theme.  ·         To present an opportunity for the AUC to participate in awareness raising on the rights, capabilities and potential of children with disabilities, and to draw attention to the situation of children with disabilities who are particularly vulnerable to marginalization and /or violence .
Expected  Outcomes:	More than 1000 children (mainly children with disabilities) and other stakeholder will be aware of the rights of children with disabilities. The message is expected to reach millions of children via electronic media, the special publication, billboard, banner and other promotional materials throughout the continent.

Invited guests :

                              - High level officials of the African Union Commission

                              - Ambassador / Representatives)of African countries

                              - Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC)

                              - Country Directors of International NGOs and invited staff of NGOs

                              - Ministers of the Ethiopia Government

                              - Children with disabilities

                              - The media

Participants:    

                                 More than 1000 children from different African countries (mainly children with disabilities), parents, teachers, international

                                 agencies, government bodies and the NGO community

Like Malawi Like Zambia? No, Zambia Will Get Out of the Fuel Shortage!

Malawi will never be one country to poke fun at our Zambian brothers, now netted in an energy crisis of sorts.
The Zambian brothers and sisters gave Malawi- their eastern neighbour- five million litres of fuel to help ease the fuel problems that were being experienced by Malawi.
Now, for some 13 days running, the Zambians seem to have run out of the liquid that moves the world. Not only the liquid, electricity production ( is it generation) seems to have dwindled in Africa's top copper miner. When such things happen, industries scale down on their activities, and this has an impact on daily production.
But, contrary to experts' fears that the crisis may proliferate and create a crisis of sorts, the Zambian government has the capacity to come over the situation and put the misfiring generators and broken interlink crude oil pipeline from Tanzania back on the breathing line.

Unlike Malawi, which is about to embark on oil exploration in Lake Malawi, Zambia has copper- which has sustained its economy for ages.
It is copper, and not the 15-day strategic reserves' fund which President Michael Sata scraped off month after getting into office, that will get things ticking again. Yes, it is true that the fund was aiding oil marketing firms to pile up reserves for days on end. But copper, along with the coming in of the contractor who will eventually sign up for the contract of supplying 1.4 million tonnes of oil after the expiry of a two-year supply contract with Glencore International plc, a Switzerland headquartered commodities' trading company, will bail our Zambian brothers out.

Of course, the other predictable thing about the Zambian situation is that Malawi's president, Joyce Banda, will not come to their rescue the way Sata did: Fuel shortages continue unabated in Malawi, with the situation becoming worse the past two weeks than ever (since Banda took over) before.
Southern Africa has two fuels'-starving neighbours!

CHANGE OF VENUE FOR 19TH AU SUMMIT: 19th African Union (AU) Summit to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

DIRECTORATE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENT TO ALL MEDIA

 

 

CHANGE OF VENUE FOR 19TH AU SUMMIT

 

 

19th African Union (AU) Summit to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

 

 

Journalists are informed that the 19th Ordinary Session of the Summit of the African Union, which was initially scheduled to take place in Lilongwe, Malawi, is now taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The dates for the summit remain unchanged, i.e. 9-16 July 2012.

 

The summit is scheduled to take place as follows:

 

Dates:                        9 to 16 July 2012

 

Venue:                       Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

 

Theme:                  The theme of the Summit is: “Boosting Intra-African Trade”

 

Specific dates for the meetings of the different AU organs during the Summit will be as follows:

 

9 – 10 July 2012:                    24^th Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC);

 

12 – 13 July 2012:                  21^st Ordinary Session of the Executive Council

 

15 – 16 July 2012:                  19^th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union.

 

Malawi media welcome removal of VAT on newspapers

Misa Malawi Communiqué

12 June 2012

 The media fraternity in Malawi has welcomed the removal of Value Added
Tax (VAT) on newspapers, describing the development as good news which
is in the interest of the people?s right to information.

VAT on newspapers was introduced during late president Bingu Wa
Mutharika?s reign as one way of generating funds for the 2011/12
infamous Zero-Deficit Budget (ZDB), a blue print which attracted mixed
reactions among the country?s citizens, government authorities and the
donor community.

Commenting on VAT removal, chairperson of the Malawi Chapter of the
Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Malawi), Anthony Kasunda,
said the removal of 16.5 percent valued?added tax in the 2012/13
national budget was proof that the Joyce Banda administration was
serious about supporting the growth of the media industry in the
country.

?This is good news for us and another good signal from government
about how they want journalists to work in a free environment and make
sure that information is accessible by everyone cheaply,? Kasunda
said.

Finance Minister, Dr. Ken Lipenga announced the VAT removal when he
presented the 2012/13 financial budget in parliament on Friday, June
8, 2012.

Speaking on the same, Media Council of Malawi Chairperson Rev. Patrick
Semphere said the removal of VAT on newspapers was a welcome move and
a sign that government has goodwill for the media in the country.

Said Semphere: ?We (Media Council of Malawi) and MISA-Malawi have been
fighting for the removal of that tax. The removal is a step in the
right direction. It is an indication that government has goodwill at
heart for the media.?

General Manager for Blantyre Newspapers Limited, Dr. Tikhala Chibwana
also welcomed the removal of the VAT and added that the company would
go back to the drawing board to consider newspaper cover prices
because its adjustment to the current price was partly due to the VAT.

?That is a welcome development. I think the idea to tax public
information was a very wrong idea and government has done the right
thing. We have been speaking against it and for anybody in the media,
especially in print, that is what we expected,? said Chibwana.

Alfred Ntonga, deputy chief executive officer and editor-in-chief of
Nation Publications Limited, also hailed the removal of VAT on
newspapers, saying it is a step forward in correcting the many
mistakes made by the previous Mutharika administration.

?Access to information is a right in democratic Malawi. By imposing
VAT on newspapers which are already very expensive to produce, the
previous administration was simply pushing them beyond the reach of
the majority of Malawians,? he said.

Continued Ntonga: ?The so-called zero-deficit budget the previous
regime introduced last year required broadening the tax base, but I
strongly suspect that the real reason for the VAT on newspapers was to
reduce their circulation. The Mutharika administration was averse to
critical media.?

Malawi?s economy had been nose-diving for about a year after the late
Mutharika picked a fight with major donors, which led to a US$121
million budget hole in the 2011/12 fiscal year. However, the new
government of Joyce Banda, which came into power in April, has worked
to restore aid flows in addition to repealing repressive laws, most of
which were targeted at journalists.

COMMUNIQUE: withdrawal of the offer of the Republic of Malawi to host the 19th AU Summit meetings

AFRICAN UNION






UNION AFRICAINE







UNIÃO AFRICANA

Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA P. O. Box 3243 Tel : 251-11-5517700 Fax : 251-11-5517844 / 5525830

website : www.au.int





















COMMUNIQUE















Following the withdrawal of the offer of the Republic of Malawi to host the 19th AU Summit meetings initially scheduled in Lilongwe, Malawi, from 9 to 16 July 2012 and after consultations among Member States, it has been decided that the 19th Summit will be held at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on the same dates.







Addis Ababa, 11 June 2012



















AFRICAN UNION





UNION AFRICAINE







UNIÃO AFRICANA

Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA P. O. Box 3243 Tel : 251-11-5517700 Fax : 251-11-5517844 / 5525830

website : www.au.int





















COMMUNIQUE















Following the withdrawal of the offer of the Republic of Malawi to host the 19th AU Summit meetings initially scheduled in Lilongwe, Malawi, from 9 to 16 July 2012 and after consultations among Member States, it has been decided that the 19th Summit will be held at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on the same dates.







Addis Ababa, 11 June 2012



















AFRICAN UNION





UNION AFRICAINE







UNIÃO AFRICANA

Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA P. O. Box 3243 Tel : 251-11-5517700 Fax : 251-11-5517844 / 5525830

website : www.au.int





















COMMUNIQUÉ















Suite au retrait de l’offre de la République du Malawi d’abriter les réunions du 19ème Sommet de l’Union africaine initialement prévues à Lilongwe, au Malawi du 9 au 16 juillet 2012 et après consultations entre les Etats membres, il a été décidé que le 19ème Sommet se tiendra au Siège de l’Union africaine à Addis Abeba (Ethiopie) aux mêmes dates.











Addis Abeba, le 11 juin 2012

















--------------------------------------------------------------------------------





Sehenemariam Hailu

Secretary

Information & Communication Directorate

African Union Commission





Tel: (251) 11 551 77 00

Mobile:

Fax: (251) 11 551 78 44

Email: SehenemariamH@africa-union.org

Web: www.au.int