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Governance and human rights advocate, Ondule Mwakasongula has expressed optimism that President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera’s official visit to the Vatican and Germany will play a vital role in boosting Malawi’s global standing.
Chakwera is currently in the Vatican, where he will meet with Pope Francis and Vatican Secretary of State Peter Parolin, among others.
In a statement issued on Monday, Mwakasungula said he hoped President Chakwera would use this “valuable platform” to articulate Malawi’s development agenda, especially in areas where the Catholic Church plays a vital role, such as education, health and social justice.
“President Chakwera’s visit to the Vatican is more than just a diplomatic engagement; it is a moral and symbolic victory for Malawi. These visits are calculated and strategic moves to strengthen Malawi’s international partnerships and help elevate the country’s global standing. The importance of these visits cannot be understated as Malawi works tirelessly to consolidate diplomatic relations, attract investment and promote sustainable development in the country,” he said.
Mwakasungula said by meeting the Pope, President Chakwera not only reinforced the strong ties between Malawi and the Vatican but also demonstrated his commitment to maintaining an open dialogue with all sectors of society, including religious institutions such as the Catholic Church.
He said former President Peter Mutharika did not get the opportunity to meet the Pope during his tenure and this meant a major diplomatic victory for President Chakwera and his government.
Mwakasungula added that the meeting was a clear demonstration of the respect and recognition of the international community, especially the Vatican, for the current leadership of Malawi.
After visiting the Vatican, President Chakwera is expected to travel to Berlin, Germany for a series of official events.
These engagements will focus on strengthening bilateral relations with the Federal Republic of Germany, an important partner in Malawi’s development.
Mwakasu-Vongola said the meeting with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was important to discuss areas of mutual interest, including governance, economic development and regional security. Germany, as Europe’s leading economic power, is an ideal partner for Malawi.
“A highlight of the President’s visit to Germany was a meeting with business executives from the Frankfurt Chamber of Commerce and officials from a leading German shipping company. The meeting is expected to open up new avenues for investment in Malawi’s water transport sector. Since the launch of the MV Chilembwe, there has been virtually no investment in the sector, which has the potential to revolutionize trade and connectivity, especially for communities along Lake Malawi.
“The President’s efforts to attract investment in modern vessels for Lake Malawi demonstrate his government’s commitment to revitalizing the country’s neglected transport infrastructure. This move is part of a wider strategy to improve all transport networks – road, rail and water – which are essential for facilitating trade, promoting tourism and strengthening regional integration. The last major investment in water transport was during the administration of Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda. Therefore, President Chakwera’s move to bring in new investment to the sector is not only timely but also necessary to realize the full potential of Malawi’s waterways,” said the respected governance and human rights advocate.
Mwakasungula has since called on the people of Malawians to recognise and support President Chakwera’s efforts in the interests of the country and the nation, stressing that the President’s visits abroad are not just diplomatic gestures but strategic moves designed to bring tangible benefits to the country.
“Whether it is through gaining moral support from the Vatican or attracting critical infrastructure investment from Germany, these visits are an important step in making Malawi a country respected globally,” he said.
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