BIODATA - MALAWI'S NEW MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000146 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF/S, INR/B, INR/AA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM PINR KMCA MI SUBJECT: BIODATA - MALAWI'S NEW MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ¶1. CDA paid a courtesy call to new Minister of Foreign Affairs Davis Katsonga on February 14. Katsonga, whose appointment to Foreign Affairs comes in the wake of the President's departure from the United Democratic Front (UDF),expressed his support for the president and his anti- corruption initiatives. Though apparently only somewhat familiar with Malawi's Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Threshold status, Katsonga indicated that the new political developments in the country can only be positive for MCA as well as for the future of Malawi. Katsonga most recently served as Minister of Mines, Natural resources and Environmental Affairs. His knowledge of these subjects appeared to be vast, and he spoke in detail about the various mineral deposits in the country. Katsonga expressed interest in increasing foreign companies' access to these deposits. ¶2. Katsonga made a quick political ascent, rapidly attaining status as an influential member of the UDF elite. In spite of his previous status within the party, Katsonga now seems to be firmly allied with President Mutharika, as evidenced by his significantly higher-ranking new job. ¶3. Biographical Information follows. 2005: Minister of Foreign Affairs 2004: Minister of Mines, Natural Resources & Environmental Affairs 2003: Speaker of Parliament (UDF) 2001: First Deputy Speaker of Parliament (UDF) 2000: Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (UDF) 1998: Member of Parliament 1997: Managing Director, Big Sea Containers (UK) 1990: Sales & Marketing Manager, Fleet Shipping (UK) 1986: Managing Director, dck Images Promotions Ltd. (UK) 1980: Salesman, Dakin & Co. (UK) 1978: Hotel Manager, Chester's City Motel 1974: Assistant Hotel Manager, Ryalls Hotel In 1998, after returning from the UK, he was elected a UDF MP for Mwanza District (Southern Region). He briefly encumbered the deputy position at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2000, before becoming the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament in 2001. In 2003, President Muluzi orchestrated his succession to Speaker of Parliament. In a 2001 interview, Katsonga stated that he left Malawi in 1980 because of the political situation under President Banda. Throughout much of the 1980s, Katsonga resided in the UK, first as a student and subsequently as a businessman in sales and marketing. While in the UK, he started his own business, which remains in operation. Katsonga earned a Diploma in Business Studies from Columbus College in 1982. He also holds a Bachelor Degree in Business from Schiller International University (UK),a Post-graduate diploma in Marketing from Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK),and participated in a Masters Degree program at South Bank University (UK). Katsonga was born on August 6, 1955 in the Mwanza district in Southern Malawi. He is married and has two sons who continue to reside in the UK. His hobbies include computers, playing squash, football, volleyball, fishing, swimming, painting and listening to soul ballads. Katsonga traveled to the US in September 2003 on a National Democratic Institute (NDI) sponsored trip. Upon his return, he told the Ambassador that he had greatly enjoyed the experience. GILMOUR