President Peter Mutharika broke ranks with other African leaders when he took a 19-member delegation to the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The President is reported to have asked the US embassy in Malawi not to issue a visa to any government official without his approval.
Mutharika’s actions have been hailed as a clear sign of his commitment in applying austerity measures aimed at stabilizing the country’s economy. Speaking in an interview, social commentator Billy Kaunda said Mutharika should be commended for continuing to make sure that the country’s economy regains its strength after the infamous Cashgate scandal which saw donors ceasing to support the country’s national budget.
Mutharika’s lean delegation to the United Nations has also received commendation from US ambassador to Malawi, Virgina Palmer and Public Affairs Committee Publicity Secretary Peter Mulomole. The two told Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) last week that the gesture was an indication of the President’s commitment to ensure prudent use of public resources.
Since he came to power in May 2014, Mutharika has operated on a strict diet of public resources to ensure the restoration of the economy and availability of resources for critical government services.
