MUTHARIKA ENGAGES AMBASSADORS ON DEVELOPMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L LILONGWE 000364 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/25/2019 TAGS: PGOV EAID MI SUBJECT: MUTHARIKA ENGAGES AMBASSADORS ON DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION Classified By: Ambassador Peter Bodde for Reasons 1.4 (b, d) ¶1. (C) Summary: In the week leading up to his State of the Nation address, delivered June 23 (septel),President Mutharika reached out to foreign ambassadors through a private briefing on his development agenda. At the preview, Mutharika thanked donors and asked for continued support and partnership in key areas such as health care, infrastructure, and agriculture. After delivering the State of the Nation address, Mutharika again sought out heads of mission during an impromptu reception. At the reception, Mutharika held short, private sessions with each ambassador. With the Ambassador, the President emphasized Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) assistance, saying he hoped Malawi's successful elections eliminated any concerns about governance in Malawi and trusted that MCC compact approval would now proceed quickly. End Summary. ¶2. (C) President Mutharika recently invited ambassadors to preview his government's new development agenda that he planned to announce during the State of the Nation address. Terming his first administration "The Malawi Miracle," Mutharika said his relentless pursuit of development thwarted opposition attempts to make Malawi ungovernable and ultimately led to his landslide reelection. Having secured "the peoples' overwhelming mandate," Mutharika asked for continued donor support to combat HIV, reduce infant and maternal mortality, expand access to quality education, undertake infrastructure projects, and increase agricultural production. He also made specific mention of the recent conduct of the elections, calling them Malawi's first violence-free elections since independence, and thanked election donors, including the U.S., for their financial and technical support. ¶3. (C) Mutharika again reached out to heads of mission following the June 23 State of the Nation address. The President held an impromptu reception where he had short private meetings with each ambassador. The Ambassador and Mutharika focused their attention on Malawi's potential MCC compact. The President said he hoped Malawi's recent successful elections removed any doubts about good governance in Malawi. The President said he would continue to make fighting corruption a top priority and reiterated to the Ambassador his promise not to abuse his party's parliamentary majority. Mutharika said he trusted that the MCC compact approval process would now be able to proceed quickly. ¶4. (C) Comment: Mutharika has a new air of confidence since his reelection. His renewed engagement with major donors, including the U.S., is welcome after legislative stalemates held up joint development programs during his first administration. The GOM is clearly trying to reinvigorate its legislative agenda and is now seeking to cement its relationships with key donor partners. USG programs already support many of Mutharika's new goals in health care, education, agriculture, and economic growth. The successful completion of an MCC compact will further support the GOM's infrastructure development plans. End Comment. BODDE