Malawi Roundup: World Bank budgetary support, French ties, Malawians on Israeli farms
World Bank restores budgetary support
Malawi's President, Lazarus Chakwera, has expressed gratitude to the World Bank for restoring direct budgetary support, signifying renewed confidence in Malawi's economy. The US$137 million budgetary support agreement aims to bolster short-term macroeconomic stability and medium-term growth, local media Mana Online reports. “Thanks to the support of our partners like the World Bank, we have taken some bold steps to enact serious policy reforms for restoring the short-term macroeconomic stability and medium-term growth, thus bringing us to this windfall we are able to have today. I am grateful that the continuous engagements between the Malawi Government and the World Bank are finally yielding fruits, I am specifically thankful to the World Bank Vice President, country director, country managers and economists for working tirelessly to restore this facility,” said Chakwera.
Malawi, France diplomatic renewal
Malawi and France are renewing diplomatic ties, focusing on cooperation in agriculture and food security. The initiative is viewed as pivotal for revamping Malawi's agricultural sector, with France expressing readiness to assist in various areas, including tourism, mining, and education, Nyasa Times reported. France Minister of State for Development, Francophonie and International Partnership, Chrysoula Zacharopoulous expressed optimism that the strong diplomatic relationship of the two countries will continue to flourish.
Malawians to work in Israeli farms
Over 200 young Malawians are set to work in farms in Israel, replacing workers from Thailand. Malawians are expected to replace workers from Thailand who pulled out of Israel following the war in Gaza between Hamas and Israel. Reports indicated that at least 40 workers from Thailand were abducted when Hamas fighters stormed the northern part of Israel where they killed 1400 Israelis and abducted over 200 more. The Malawian workers, however, get US$1500 a month and free accommodation, among other incentives, Nyasa Times reports. The move, aimed at addressing the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, has raised questions about transparency in the recruitment process. The executive director of Youth And Society (YAS), Charles Kajoloweka has criticized the lack of transparency in the Malawian government's recruitment process for young individuals exported to work in Israeli farms. During a recent press conference, Kajoloweka highlighted concerns about the government's transparency in this matter. In response, Minister of Labour Agnes Nyalonje stated that neither her ministry nor the government is directly involved in the recruitment process, emphasizing that a private firm is responsible for these procedures.
AUSC chairmanship handover
Malawi officially hands over the chairmanship of the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Council of Ministers to Namibia. The ceremony, attended by Minister of Youths and Sports Uchizi Mkandawire, signifies Malawi's successful tenure in the role, Malawi 24 reports. Namibian Sports Minister Tjongarero reassured Malawi and the entire region that her country is committed to fulfilling the vision and agenda of the AUSC Region 5 Council of Ministers. Malawi assumed the chairmanship from Lesotho in 2021. The AUSC Region 5 Council of Ministers serves as a policy-making body comprising full Ministers responsible for sports in member countries. Their focus is on strategizing how to develop and promote sports activities in the region. The member countries include Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Eswatini, Lesotho, Angola, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
Former Salima Sugar Company chairperson arrested
Former Chairperson of Salima Sugar Company Limited, Shirieesh Betgiri, has been arrested in Lilongwe. The arrest follows a forensic audit report revealing fraud by private investors, with warrants issued for three other suspects. National Police Publicist, Peter Kalaya, said police are working with various international agencies to arrest the other suspects involved in the matter. Let me assure Malawians that those who travelled outside the country will be cornered as we work with our international sister agencies like Interpol,” Kalaya is quoted by Nyasa Times.
