Malawi President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has left Malawi for Tanzania where he is expected to attend this year’s Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit.
Chakwera left the country for Tanzania via Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) in the capital City Lilongwe.
Malawi Vice President Dr Michael Usi led the send off ceremony while accompanied by senior party officials, Cabinet Ministers and the general public.
Chakwera speaking to reporters before departure
According to the information which Ministry of Foreign Affairs has released, the Energy Summit will be held in Dar es Salaam, the United Republic of Tanzania, on 27th and 28th January, 2025. The Summit will be convened by the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank.
According to the statement the meeting will bring together 13 African Heads of State and other partners to advance the Mission 300’s initiative to scale energy access and accelerate the continent’s clean energy transition pursuant to the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration that will be adopted by Heads of State attending the Summit.
During the high-level event, the President will preside over the signing of a US$300 million compact that the World Bank Board has recently approved for Malawi’s efforts to achieve universal energy and electricity access by 2030.
“So far, since taking office in 2020, President Chakwera has increased electricity access among Malawians from 9% to 25%, and the World Bank compact to be signed in Dar es Salaam is part of his plan to increase that further to 70% over the next few years and generate enough electricity to power the ATM Strategy for creating wealth,” reads the statement in part.
The president is destined to return on Wednesday, 29th January, 2025 at 09:40 Hrs.
One of the country’s farm foods companies, Ekhaya Farm Foods Limited has committed to quality and safety as it continues to review and improve its processes to align with regulatory requirements.
The company’s management made the promise through a statement after the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) sealed and later reopened its two shops at Kanengo and Olympic Mall in Lilongwe on January 21 and 22,2025.
According to the statement dated 24 January 2025, the company acknowledges and respects the MBS’ decision to temporarily close the shops as part of their commitment to ensuring public health and safety.
“At Ekhaya Farm Foods, we take this matter very seriously. We are fully committed to adhering to all MBS standards and ensuring that our operations meet the highest levels of compliance.”
“Our team has worked closely with MBS to address the concerns raised during their inspection, and we are pleased to confirm that both shops have been reopened following a thorough review,” reads the statement.
The company has also assured its customers that MBS extended the operations to its other shops and were certified fit to continue its operations.
“During the past week, MBS officials have inspected our operations at other locations including Mibawa at Midima Turn off, Victoria Avenue, Northgate Mall in Blantyre, Zomba and Mangochi without closures. We want to reassure our customers, employees and partners that your health and safety remain our top priority,” reads further the statement.
One of the Blantyre-based customers, Mark Lemusi has commended Ekhaya for the assurance.
“I buy my things at Ekhaya, and when I heard the news, I was equally affected. But the news about the reopening of the shops and MBS clearing the other shops, I feel relieved, I urge Ekhaya management to live by their promise to ensure quality services as they always do,” he said.
In a passionate appeal to the nation, Joseph Mwanamveka, Vice President of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in the Southern Region, has urged Malawians to vote for Peter Mutharika in the upcoming general elections scheduled for September 16. Mwanamveka made this statement during a stopover tour in Mulanje on Sunday, January 26.
According to Mwanamveka, Peter Mutharika is the only solution to the myriad problems facing Malawians, including skyrocketing prices that are affecting their daily lives. He emphasized that the current government has failed to effectively govern the country, leaving many Malawians to suffer. Mwanamveka cited examples such as the instability of the Kwacha, which he claimed was stable during Peter Mutharika’s leadership.
Mwanamveka welcoming new members
The DPP has been conducting stopover tours across the country since 2024, with the primary objective of mobilizing Malawians to vote for the party. Mwanamveka’s appeal is part of this broader effort to rally support for Peter Mutharika’s candidacy.
Mwanamveka’s statement being the latest in a series of appeals to the electorate. With the country facing numerous challenges, the outcome of the elections is expected to have a significant impact on Malawi’s future.
The M23, or March 23 Movement, emerged as a significant rebel group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in 2012, but its roots can be traced back to earlier conflicts and political dynamics in the region. The group was formed by former members of the National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP), a rebel group that had previously fought against the DRC government. The CNDP was integrated into the Congolese army in 2009 as part of a peace agreement, but many of its members felt marginalized and disillusioned with the government. The M23 was officially established in April 2012, taking its name from a failed peace agreement signed on March 23, 2009, which was intended to address the grievances of the CNDP.
The leadership of M23 was primarily composed of individuals who had previously held positions within the CNDP. The most notable leader was Bosco Ntaganda, a former general in the Congolese army who had a controversial history, including being wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes. Ntaganda’s leadership was characterized by a blend of military strategy and political maneuvering, as he sought to gain control over resource-rich areas in eastern DRC, particularly in North Kivu province.
The M23 received support from various external actors, most notably Rwanda, which has been accused of providing military assistance and logistical support to the group. The Rwandan government has denied these allegations, but the historical context of Rwandan involvement in DRC’s conflicts cannot be overlooked. The DRC shares a border with Rwanda, and the two countries have a complex relationship, often marked by mutual suspicion and accusations of interference. Additionally, Uganda has also been implicated in providing support to M23, further complicating the regional dynamics.
M23 is primarily based in the eastern DRC, particularly in North Kivu province, where it has sought to establish control over key territories. The region is rich in minerals, including coltan, gold, and diamonds, making it a focal point for both rebel groups and government forces. The control of these resources has been a significant driver of conflict in the DRC, as various actors vie for access and profits.
From the moment M23 entered into conflict with the DRC government in 2012, its objectives became increasingly clear. The group sought to address the grievances of the Tutsi population in eastern DRC, who felt marginalized and threatened by the Congolese government. M23’s demands included greater political representation, security guarantees, and the protection of Tutsi communities from violence perpetrated by other armed groups, particularly the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo (FDLR), which is composed largely of Hutu militants.
The DRC government, led by President Joseph Kabila at the time, responded to the M23 insurgency with military force, leading to a protracted conflict that resulted in significant humanitarian consequences. The fighting displaced hundreds of thousands of people and exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation in the region. The international community, including the United Nations, became increasingly involved, with the establishment of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) to help stabilize the situation.
Despite the government’s military efforts, M23 managed to capture the provincial capital of Goma in November 2012, a significant victory that underscored the group’s military capabilities and the weaknesses of the Congolese army. However, this victory was short-lived, as international pressure mounted on M23 to withdraw from Goma. In response to diplomatic efforts, M23 retreated from the city in December 2012, but the conflict continued in the surrounding areas.
The DRC government has shown a mixed approach towards engaging with M23. While there have been attempts at dialogue and negotiations, these efforts have often been undermined by ongoing violence and mistrust. The government has been reluctant to grant significant concessions to the group, fearing that doing so would embolden other rebel factions and undermine its authority. Additionally, the complex web of alliances and rivalries among various armed groups in eastern DRC has made it challenging to establish a comprehensive peace process.
In 2013, the situation escalated further when the United Nations Security Council authorized the deployment of an intervention brigade within MONUSCO, tasked with taking offensive action against armed groups, including M23. This marked a significant shift in the international community’s approach to the conflict, as it sought to address the root causes of instability in the region. The intervention brigade engaged in military operations against M23, ultimately leading to the group’s defeat in late 2013.
Following its military defeat, M23’s leadership went into exile, with many members fleeing to Rwanda and Uganda. The group has since been largely inactive, but its legacy continues to shape the political landscape in eastern DRC. The grievances that fueled the rise of M23 have not been fully addressed, and the region remains plagued by violence and instability, with various armed groups continuing to operate.
The international community continues to play a role in supporting peace efforts in the DRC, but the challenges are immense. The complex interplay of local, regional, and international dynamics makes it difficult to achieve lasting stability. The M23 experience serves as a reminder of the fragility of peace in the DRC and the need for comprehensive solutions that address the grievances of marginalized communities.
In conclusion, the M23 rebel group emerged from a complex history of conflict and political dynamics in the DRC. Its leadership, primarily composed of former CNDP members, sought to address the grievances of the Tutsi population in eastern DRC. The group’s military successes and subsequent defeat highlight the challenges of governance and stability in the region. While the DRC government has shown some interest in engaging with former M23 members, the path to lasting peace remains fraught with difficulties. The legacy of M23 continues to influence the political landscape, underscoring the need for sustained efforts to address the root causes of conflict and promote reconciliation in the DRC.
Malawi’s President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera is set to join fellow African heads of state, business leaders, and development partners in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for the highly anticipated Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit.
The two-day summit, scheduled for January 27-28, 2025, aims to accelerate Africa’s progress towards providing reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity to 300 million people by 2030.
President Chakwera
The summit, hosted by the Tanzanian government in collaboration with the African Development Bank Group and the World Bank, will bring together key stakeholders to strategize and commit to ambitious reforms and actions.
President Chakwera’s participation underscores Malawi’s commitment to addressing the continent’s energy challenges and ensuring universal access to electricity.
During the summit, African leaders will present their national energy strategies, outlining their approaches to achieving universal energy access within five years.
The leaders will also endorse the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration, a unified roadmap for Africa’s progress towards the Mission 300 objectives.
The summit’s agenda will focus on accelerating energy access in underserved regions, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and mobilizing private sector investment.
President Chakwera is expected to deliver a national statement, reaffirming Malawi’s commitment to achieving universal access to energy and its leadership role in Africa’s energy sector.
The Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit is a critical step towards addressing Africa’s energy challenges. With over 600 million people in Africa lacking access to electricity, the summit’s objectives are ambitious yet necessary.
The African Development Bank Group estimates that Africa’s energy sector requires investments of up to $100 billion annually to meet the continent’s energy needs.
As African leaders converge in Dar es Salaam, they will be joined by business leaders, development partners, and civil society groups.
The summit will provide a platform for sharing knowledge, expertise, and resources to address Africa’s energy challenges.
President Chakwera’s participation in the summit demonstrates Malawi’s commitment to regional and continental cooperation in addressing energy challenges.
As the summit concludes, all eyes will be on African leaders to translate their commitments into tangible actions, ensuring that the continent’s energy needs are met and its people have access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity.
