LILONGWE—Nigeria intends to open an embassy in Malawi, Pres Joyce Banda said Thursday.

“I had a meeting with President of Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan. We discussed possibilities of Nigeria opening an embassy in Malawi. He is ready to establish the embassy here,” Banda disclosed on arrival from Nigeria and South Africa.

Banda, who left the country for Nigeria on July 25 and later proceeded to South Africa, said she “went to Nigeria as guest of honour at the Summit of the First Ladies of Africa.”

In her meeting with Pres Jonathan, Banda said they also “discussed the possibility of growing a new variety of cassava in Malawi…as I found it ideal to have it in our country. Our friends in Senegal grow that variety of cassava and I was told it brings money into the country. We will be exporting it to West Africa.”

Commenting on the Summit of the First Ladies of Africa where “I gave a keynote address”, Pres Banda said the
meeting “basically focused on politics, the role of First Ladies in the running of government affairs, the role of the First Ladies in peace building and how the First Ladies could assist their spouses on managing the affairs of the state.”

In South Africa, Banda said she met “Dr. Dlamini Zuma who was elected at the recent 19th AU Summit to succeed the outgoing AU Commission Chairman Dr Jing Peing.

“We’re happy that she is the second woman in Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) to hold such a highest office. I pledged that I will support her to fulfill her goals successfully. I asked her to support our country, too,” Banda said.

The Malawi leader also held talks with South Africa’s president Jacob Zuma and discussed among other things the Senna Corridor that would provide landlocked Malawi access to the sea through Mozambique.

Banda said thanked Pres Zuma for his country’s generosity after the death of her predecessor, Pres Bingu wa Mutharika.

Mutharika died in April after suffering a heart attack and South African gave cash-strapped Malawi $35 million to help give Mutharika a decent burial.

At the time of Mutharika’s death, donors had suspended aid to Malawi, which is heavily dependent of foreign assistance, over concerns about human rights and economic mismanagement.
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©2012 The Maravi Post. Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgment.