C O N F I D E N T I A L LILONGWE 000514

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/S
PLEASE PASS TO OPIC FOR MSHOR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/09/2014
TAGS: ELTN EINV PGOV PREL MI
SUBJECT: HOPE FOR NACALA WITH NEW GOVERNMENT?

REF: LILONGWE 494

Classified By: Pol/Econ Officer Peter W. Lord, reasons 1.5 (b/d).


1. (C) Ministry of Transport Principal Secretary Francis
Chinsinga told emboff on June 9 that former Minister of
Finance Friday Jumbe was the reason the Nacala Corridor
Direct Agreement with Malawi had not been signed (reftel).
Chinsinga said the relevant ministries (Transport, Justice,
and Finance) had all recommended that the agreement be signed
and confirmed that former President Muluzi had ordered it be
signed two weeks before the May 20 elections. Concerned to
learn from a June 8 letter from OPIC that there was no basis
for the agreement's deadline to be extended, Chinsinga said
he planned to do all in his power "to facilitate the signing
within one week." He said he plans to open discussions with
all relevant GOM ministries and to "influence their political
masters" in cabinet as soon as they are appointed, which he
expects to happen on June 11.

COMMENT
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2. (C) While we are encouraged that key civil servants in the
relevant ministries support signing the Direct Agreement, the
critical factor will be who is appointed to the new cabinet.
As soon as the new government is named, we will raise the
issue with the appropriate ministers. END COMMENT.
DOUGHERTY