Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LILONGWE690
2009-12-22 07:31:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Lilongwe
Cable title:
MALAWI CONFIDENT ON BEING ELECTED TO LEAD AFRICAN
how-toVZCZCXRO4231 RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO DE RUEHLG #0690 3560731 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 220731Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY LILONGWE TO RUEHSD/SECSTATE WASHDC 0126 INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 1026 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0433 RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0613 RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L LILONGWE 000690
SIPDIS
LONDON PASS TO AF WATCHER PETER LORD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV AU MI
SUBJECT: MALAWI CONFIDENT ON BEING ELECTED TO LEAD AFRICAN
UNION
REF: A. ADDIS ABABA 2945
B. LILONGWE 540
Classified By: Ambassador Peter W. Bodde for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L LILONGWE 000690
SIPDIS
LONDON PASS TO AF WATCHER PETER LORD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV AU MI
SUBJECT: MALAWI CONFIDENT ON BEING ELECTED TO LEAD AFRICAN
UNION
REF: A. ADDIS ABABA 2945
B. LILONGWE 540
Classified By: Ambassador Peter W. Bodde for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) GOM Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Permanent
Secretary Anthony Livuzu told Post December 18 that Malawi is
"confident it will come out on top" in the leadership
election at the January 2010 African Union summit (reftels).
Livuza said he is aware that Libya is still working hard to
elicit support for re-electing Moammar Qadhafi, but "Libya's
effort is in desperation mode." He said Malawian President
Bingu wa Mutharika has received solid support from many
countries, some of which he had expected would still be
undecided. He did not specify the countries offering
support.
2. (SBU) Livuza said his Ministry is busy putting together a
team that will spearhead Malawi's AU leadership year, most
from MFA, but also including other ministries.
3. (C) COMMENT: The GOM is enthusiastically looking forward
to President Mutharika's election as Chairman of the AU.
While the GOM continues to state that it is preparing to
carry out this role, we have seen little in the form of
concrete proposals or plans. While there have been hints
that the GOM will seek donor financial support to fulfill its
AU duties, there have been no specific requests thus far.
Given the relatively small size and limited capabilities of
Malawi's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we remain concerned
about how well the GOM will be able to perform in its new
role.
BODDE
SIPDIS
LONDON PASS TO AF WATCHER PETER LORD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV AU MI
SUBJECT: MALAWI CONFIDENT ON BEING ELECTED TO LEAD AFRICAN
UNION
REF: A. ADDIS ABABA 2945
B. LILONGWE 540
Classified By: Ambassador Peter W. Bodde for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) GOM Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Permanent
Secretary Anthony Livuzu told Post December 18 that Malawi is
"confident it will come out on top" in the leadership
election at the January 2010 African Union summit (reftels).
Livuza said he is aware that Libya is still working hard to
elicit support for re-electing Moammar Qadhafi, but "Libya's
effort is in desperation mode." He said Malawian President
Bingu wa Mutharika has received solid support from many
countries, some of which he had expected would still be
undecided. He did not specify the countries offering
support.
2. (SBU) Livuza said his Ministry is busy putting together a
team that will spearhead Malawi's AU leadership year, most
from MFA, but also including other ministries.
3. (C) COMMENT: The GOM is enthusiastically looking forward
to President Mutharika's election as Chairman of the AU.
While the GOM continues to state that it is preparing to
carry out this role, we have seen little in the form of
concrete proposals or plans. While there have been hints
that the GOM will seek donor financial support to fulfill its
AU duties, there have been no specific requests thus far.
Given the relatively small size and limited capabilities of
Malawi's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we remain concerned
about how well the GOM will be able to perform in its new
role.
BODDE