By Kondanani Chilimunthaka
One of the country’s former Heads of State, Peter Mutharika on Thursday, 23rd March, 2023 shunned an invitation from President Lazarus Chakwera to meet at Sanjika Palace, one of the official houfor the countryntry’s State President.
The invitation by the President aimed at briefing the three former Heads of State on the damage caused by the Cyclone Freddy and to discuss the way forward as a nation following the loss of lives, infrastructure, and property, and to look into how those displaced by the cyclone can be assisted.
Mutharika who earlier indicated that he will attend this meeting of national importance by President Chakwera was Promiscuously missing as the other two former Heads Bakili Muluzi and Joyce Banda unveiled themselves at Sanjika Palace for the roundtable talks.
But writing on his Facebook page after the discussions, President Lazarus Chakwera said the two Excellencies Bakili Muluzi and Joyce Banda presented valuable insights on how best Malawi can provide immediate relief to the displaced, then rebuild resiliently against Climate-induced disasters.
“I have engaged former Heads of State who I cordially invited to tap into their pool of knowledge and global social capital as we seek short and long term remedies for our people.
In the spirit of Operation Tigwirane Manja, the two eminent citizens have pledged to support all efforts lined up by government in providing necessary respite to affected communities. I am humbled to receive such support from the two statespersons.” Read part of the Facebook message from President Chakwera to Malawians.
President Chakwera made revelation of his intention to invite the three former Heads of State to Sanjika Palace for a discussion over the national catastrophe that has heavily hit the Southern region of Malawi during his national address on 19th March, 2023 after assessing Mangochi and other districts affected by the cyclone in the Southern region.
As we went to press, it was not yet known why Mutharika chose not to attend this important meeting to the nation.
