Home
Cables mirror and Afghan War Diary
Privacy
| Identifier | Subject | Date | Office | Classification | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01LILONGWE1976 |
ENGAGING SADC IN GLOBAL COALITION AGAINST [...] (C) AT AN OCTOBER 19 MEETING WITH MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS LILIAN PATEL PRIMARILY TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION IN ZIMBABWE (REFTEL B), CHARGE ASKED PATEL HER VIEWS ON HOW SADC AND THE USG COULD COOPERATE IN THE GLOBAL COALITION ON TERRORISM. 2. (C) PATEL SAID THAT HER PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, B [...] |
2001-10-19 16:00:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PREL SADC MI |
| 03HARARE780 |
MULUZI/MBEKI VISIT POSTPONEMENT [...] No summary [...] |
2003-04-23 09:40:00 | Embassy Harare | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM ZI SF MI |
| 04ABUJA112 |
DEPUTY SECRETARY CLAUDE ALLEN, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF [...] Deputy Secretary Claude Allen, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and a delegation from the African Development Foundation (ADF) and the U.S. Mission met with President Olusegun Obasanjo on January 18th to discuss major health threats of polio and HIV/AIDS and to introduce the ADFs e [...] |
2004-01-22 05:36:00 | Embassy Abuja | UNCLASSIFIED | TBIO OTRA US GH NI MI TZ |
| 04LILONGWE1 |
VP RESIGNS FOUR MONTHS BEFORE ELECTIONS [...] (U) On January 1, First Vice President Justin Malewezi announced that December 31, 2003 was his last day in office and that he has resigned as First Deputy National Chairman of the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF). In his press release, Malewezi said he made the decision for personal reas [...] |
2004-01-02 11:50:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PINR KDEM MI |
| 04LILONGWE1013 |
MALAWI HIKES FUEL PRICES, BUT NOT ENOUGH [...] (SBU) The Government of Malawi has recently raised retail fuel prices for the first time since March 2004. The increase amounts to 8.9 percent on gasoline and diesel, reflecting only about half of the increase in world petroleum prices during the past six months. The increase, which is expec [...] |
2004-10-27 14:25:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ENRG EINV EPET EFIN PGOV MI |
| 04LILONGWE1016 |
MALAWI'S FORMER FINANCE MINISTER ARRESTED FOR [...] (U) Former Minister of Finance Friday Jumbe was arrested on October 27 as he attempted to leave Malawi for South Africa. Though the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Anti-Corruption Bureau, and Jumbe's lawyer have not publicly said what charges Jumbe faces, his arrest is widely thought to [...] |
2004-10-28 09:13:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KCOR PGOV ECON EFIN PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE1018 |
MALAWI'S NEW ANTI-CORRUPTION CHIEF [...] (SBU) The new director of the Anti Corruption Bureau recently discussed his pending prosecutions and strategic vision for the agency. He is focusing on five grand corruption cases, all against senior public figures. He intends to forego longer-range public outreach and prevention plans for w [...] |
2004-10-28 14:02:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KCOR ECON EFIN PGOV PREL MI |
| 04LILONGWE1022 |
TIP: NEW MALAWI GOVERNMENT WORKING TO ADDRESS ROOT [...] (U) Charge and poloff paid an introductory call on Malawi's Minister of Gender, Child Welfare, and Community Services, Joyce Banda on October 28. Charge used the opportunity to follow up on the previously raised issue of trafficking in persons (TIP) (reftel A), a topic Banda was eager to dis [...] |
2004-10-29 10:16:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KCRM KWMN MI HIV AIDS |
| 04LILONGWE103 |
GOM REACTS TO USTR LETTER WITH TEMPERED ENTHUSIASM [...] (C) Minister of Commerce and Industry Sam Mpasu told the Ambassador during a January 27 meeting that he had been "bowled over" by reftel letter from USTR Zoellick and that he was "very excited" by its prospects. Before the letter, he stated, "We had developed a perception that the developed [...] |
2004-02-10 10:42:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | ETRD MI WTRO |
| 04LILONGWE1035 |
MUTHARIKA CREATES NEW WEEKLY TO COUNTER PRO-MULUZI [...] (C) SUMMARY. A new newspaper, Democratus, has begun circulation in Malawi amid a growing fragmentation of the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF). President Mutharika and his closest advisors are reportedly providing financial support and other resources for the new weekly. In the wake of a [...] |
2004-11-04 13:02:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | OPRC MI PGOV |
| 04LILONGWE1067 |
IMF REVIEW TEAM IN MALAWI [...] (U) The International Monetary Fund's Staff Monitoring Program assessment team has briefed donor mission representatives twice since its arrival in Malawi. The team leader has characterized the GOM's performance as good through the end of September and outlined a scenario under which the Fund [...] |
2004-11-22 09:13:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN PREL MI |
| 04LILONGWE1072 |
BUNGLED WAGE REFORMS CAUSE LABOR PROBLEMS [...] (SBU) Government wage reforms that took effect in October have produced some unrest among civil servants. Hospital workers briefly struck in Lilongwe early this month, and teachers are threatening to strike in Blantyre. The problems center on miscalculations in a consolidated pay packaged de [...] |
2004-11-23 12:37:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ELAB EFIN EINV KMCA MI |
| 04LILONGWE1073 |
MALAWI: TRANSPARENCY OF BUDGETS/MILITARY SPENDING [...] General Overview of Auditing Procedures: With an instituted public finance act of Parliament, Malawi's military expenditures are audited by the Auditor General, as is the case with all other Government institutions. Audit reports are circulated to relevant civilian ministries: Defense, Financ [...] |
2004-11-23 12:37:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN EAID MASS MARR MI BUD FIN |
| 04LILONGWE1086 |
RULING PARTY REBELS RATCHET UP RHETORIC, BUT [...] (U) Summary: Members of the United Democratic Front (UDF) have become more outspoken in their criticism of President Bingu wa Mutharika, widening the split in the party. The UDF executive committee has punished ministers close to Mutharika, taking away party positions and perks. Despite this [...] |
2004-11-26 08:40:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE1089 |
SHIFTING HANDOUTS FOR MALAWI'S FARMERS [...] (SBU) The GOM has changed its approach to providing subsidized inputs to subsistence farmers. The new plan will provide seed and fertilizer packages to 2 million families--twice the amount planned earlier--and free fertilizer to another 500,000, at a total cost of MK3.68 billion ($34.4 millio [...] |
2004-11-26 11:24:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EAGR EAID EFIN MI |
| 04LILONGWE1108 |
GARMENT MAKERS NOT PANICKING ABOUT QUOTAS [...] (SBU) Despite the impending demise of quotas, Malawi's garment makers expect to see few changes in the U.S. market in the near future. They are banking on the prospect of protective measures against China becoming a reality in the next few months. Malawi-based companies also have lower capit [...] |
2004-12-02 09:17:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ELAB ETRD KTEX MI |
| 04LILONGWE1110 |
BLANTYRE MAYOR ARRESTED FOR CORRUPTION [...] (U) The mayor of Malawi's largest city, Blantyre, has been arrested for corruption, according to unconfirmed newspaper reports. John Chikakwiya, a senior member of the nominally ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) and one of the leading loyalists of former President Bakili Muluzi, is reported [...] |
2004-12-03 11:33:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON PGOV KCOR KMCA MI |
| 04LILONGWE1114 |
MUTHARIKA TOUTS RURAL GROWTH, ESTABLISHES DONOR [...] Summary: President Mutharika summoned heads of mission to thank them for their support and to air his views on key policies. He discussed his plans for rural poverty alleviation, the GOM's move to Lilongwe, and promised to have regular meetings with donors to establish a policy dialogue. End [...] |
2004-12-07 14:04:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID PGOV PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE1126 |
MALAWI'S PARLIAMENT SEEKS BIGGER ROLE [...] (U) Malawi's Parliament appears to be in the process of defining a new, more active role for itself in economic policy. Leading members of several relevant committees have told us they intend to hold public hearings on policy direction, to gain earlier access to draft legislation, and to head [...] |
2004-12-10 07:50:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV PGOV KMCA KDEM MI POL |
| 04LILONGWE1147 |
MALAWI EDUCATION SECTOR STATISTICS [...] Summary For the first time in many years the Government of Malawi (GOM), with support from USAID, has produced extensive data on the education sector. The data confirms that pupil-to-teacher ratios are very high, pupils-per-classroom ratios also are far above recommended norms, and that almos [...] |
2004-12-22 12:49:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | TSPL MI |
| 04LILONGWE1164 |
MALAWI'S FERTILIZER SHORTAGE THREATENS 2005 HARVEST [...] (U) Malawi's farmers are unable to find enough fertilizer as they near the end of their yearly planting season. The shortage results largely from Government delays in ordering stocks for its subsidy programs and confused signalling to private sector suppliers. While the shortages are expected [...] |
2004-12-23 14:25:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EAGR KMCA EFIN EAID MI |
| 04LILONGWE123 |
HOPES FADE FOR OPPOSITION'S "GRAND COALITION" [...] (SBU) Republican Party (RP) President Gwanda Chakuamba and People's Progressive Movement (PPM) President Aleke Banda were elected presidential candidate and running mate of the 7-party opposition alliance known as the "Mgwirizano Coalition" on February 13. Political activists had hoped to cre [...] |
2004-02-17 15:33:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM MI |
| 04LILONGWE124 |
GENERALLY ACCEPTABLE VOTER REGISTRATION [...] (SBU) Although the Malawi Electoral Commission's (MEC) inadequate preparations led to logistical difficulties during voter registration, we judge the exercise to have been generally acceptable, despite shortages of materials at many registration centers. The MEC has reported that 900,000 new [...] |
2004-02-17 15:50:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM MI |
| 04LILONGWE139 |
RWANDAN REFUGEES IN MALAWI READY TO RETURN HOME [...] (C) Rwandan refugees in Malawi are reportedly eager to return home, but inexplicably not yet moving in large numbers. Poloff met with a Dzaleka refugee camp administrator on February 19 at the camp, who said that many Rwandan refugees have been asking about returning home, and frustration wit [...] |
2004-02-20 09:08:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PHUM MI |
| 04LILONGWE141 |
STATE/AID JOINT STRATEGIC PLAN: AMBASSADOR'S [...] SUMMARY. On February 12, Ambassador Browning conducted a meeting to introduce and review the new State/AID Joint Strategic Plan. The concept behind this plan, how it will be implemented, and what the expected results will be were presented to American and locally engaged staff of both agenci [...] |
2004-02-20 10:04:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | AMGT EAID MI |
| 04LILONGWE143 |
Elections: State Media Denying Equal Access [...] With May 2004 presidential and parliamentary elections approaching, state-owned radio and television persists in almost exclusively broadcasting ruling party campaigning and pro-government news. Neither the Electoral Commission nor the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority is willing to [...] |
2004-02-20 11:15:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM KPAO MI |
| 04LILONGWE147 |
POLICE OPEN FIRE AT OPPOSITION POLITICAL RALLY; [...] (SBU) At a February 22 political rally of the opposition Mgwirizano Coalition, police fired on the crowd, injuring two people. The rally, which the police claimed could not take place because the President was holding his own rally in the vicinity, resumed later after Coalition leaders obtaine [...] |
2004-02-23 13:44:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM KDEM CASC PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE148 |
PRESIDENT GETS PERSONAL ABOUT AIDS AT LAUNCH OF [...] (SBU) At the February 10 launch of the National AIDS Policy, President Muluzi made the surprise announcement that one of his brothers had died three years ago as a result of AIDS. In the address attended by UNAIDS Executive Director Dr. Peter Piot, Muluzi also declared he knows his HIV status [...] |
2004-02-23 14:07:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | KHIV TBIO EAID SOCI MI HIV AIDS |
| 04LILONGWE149 |
CABINET DISSOLVED HOURS BEFORE ALLIANCE MOU [...] (U) Hours before signing a ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) and Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) MOU to jointly contest May's elections, President Muluzi dissolved the Cabinet on February 23. No reason was given for the dissolution, and the Office of President and Cabinet (OPC) has requeste [...] |
2004-02-23 14:24:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM MI |
| 04LILONGWE154 |
MALAWI UPDATE FOR PRESIDENT'S AGOA REPORT [...] (SBU) Malawi's AGOA exports (excluding GSP) continued to grow in 2003, and now exceed $58 million. More than $20 million of those exports are clothing, and a fifth garment company began operations. Privatization and reorganization of Malawi's primary textile manufacturer may extend the AGOA [...] |
2004-02-24 16:01:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD EFIN KPAO MI |
| 04LILONGWE155 |
MULUZI TWEAKS CABINET BEFORE ELECTIONS [...] (U) After dissolving his 45-member Cabinet two days earlier, President Muluzi appointed a largely unchanged Cabinet on February 24. Amid the re-shuffle, what changes were made reflect the ruling United Democratic Front's (UDF) tweakings to position the party for May's elections. COMMENT -- [...] |
2004-02-25 10:10:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE156 |
BIOTECH OUTREACH: MALAWI REQUEST [...] Summary. In 2002 Malawi enacted a Biosafety Act, which created a framework for regulating biotechnology. Necessary regulatory structures and guidelines have not followed, however, and implementation remains weak. The arrival of USG food aid in 2002 and 2003 raised safety and environmental c [...] |
2004-02-25 11:48:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON TBIO TSPL ETRD SENV EAGR MI |
| 04LILONGWE165 |
FY 2004 ESF REQUEST [...] SUMMARY. Post welcomes the opportunity to submit proposals for funding under ESF's Africa Regional Fund. Our four proposals are directly linked to MPP goals related to counterterrorism, the environment and economic development, and democracy and governance. 2. Proposals follow: A. Anti [...] |
2004-02-26 15:37:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID PREL PHUM PGOV KCOR ECON PTER MI |
| 04LILONGWE166 |
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES DECLARED; OPPOSITION BADLY [...] (U) Six presidential contenders declared their candidacy to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) on February 25 and 26. Among them were the United Democratic Front (UDF)/Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) coalition's Bingu wa Mutharika, four from opposition parties, and one independent. COMME [...] |
2004-02-27 07:10:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE179 |
MALAWI: DONORS SPLIT OVER BANK AND FUND PROGRAMS [...] (SBU) Minster of Finance Jumbe made a pitch on March 1 for donors to support Malawi's IMF and World Bank programs. Stating that statistical discrepancies in its submission to the Fund have been largely resolved, Jumbe claimed that Malawi has made progress on its macroeconomic stabilization p [...] |
2004-03-02 21:09:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON PGOV MI |
| 04LILONGWE187 |
"FARMER" MULUZI CULTIVATES HIS POST-PRESIDENTIAL IMAGE [...] (C) I met with President Muluzi at his request on February 18 at his private residence in Blantyre. We discussed his three-point agenda: a) USG assistance in training Malawi Defense Force (MDF) officers as helicopter pilots; b) USG support of an HIV/AIDS Center he wishes to lead after he le [...] |
2004-03-04 13:52:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE188 |
AGOA III: INFORMATION ON MALAWIAN TEXTILE AND APPAREL [...] THIS CABLE IS IN RESPONSE TO REFTEL REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON TEXTILE AND APPAREL PRODUCTION CAPABILITIES IN AGOA-ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES. TEXTILES -------- 2. THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY IN MALAWI IS SMALL AND UNDERDEVELOPED. THE COUNTRY'S ONLY TEXTILE FACTORY, MAPETO (DWSM) LIMITED (FORMERLY DAV [...] |
2004-03-04 13:53:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD EINV KTEX PREL MI AGOA |
| 04LILONGWE199 |
MALAWI 2003 TIP REPORT [...] SUMMARY. Based on a review of GOM practices, interviews with civil society groups, GOM officials, and press accounts, Malawi should not be designated as a country of origin, transit, or destination of the most severe forms of international trafficking in significant numbers of men, women, or [...] |
2004-03-10 15:34:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KCRM KWMN SMIG KFRD ASEC PREF ELAB MI |
| 04LILONGWE204 |
Elections: Bias in State-Owned Media [...] With elections just 66 days away, the government-controlled media remains biased in its coverage, broadcasting pro-government news and ruling party campaign reports while providing almost no access to the opposition. The Public Affairs Committee, a local civil society group composed of influ [...] |
2004-03-12 11:16:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM KPAO MI |
| 04LILONGWE207 |
MALAWI MEDIA PRIMER [...] SUMMARY: The government-controlled Malawi Broadcasting Corporation radio is the main source of news for the average Malawian. Two independent daily newspapers are read by a small segment of the urban population. Private (commercial, religious, community) radio stations reach urban centers i [...] |
2004-03-15 12:13:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO PGOV KDEM MI |
| 04LILONGWE214 |
FOUL PLAY SUSPECTED IN DEATH OF PRESIDENT'S [...] (SBU) A March 2 autopsy report revealed that Kalonga Stambuli, Chief Executive Officer of President Muluzi's Trade and Investment Company, was poisoned and strangled on December 29, 2003. In the weeks following Stambuli's death, "The Dispatch" weekly newspaper printed a series of excerpts fro [...] |
2004-03-17 13:44:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KCOR PGOV PINR KDEM MI |
| 04LILONGWE22 |
MALAWI'S PLEA TO THE IMF: SAME OLD DOG, SAME OLD [...] (C) Presidential Economic Advisor Goodall Gondwe reportedly met with the Treasury Department in Washington in December to make a pitch for waivers on Malawi's IMF commitments. Contrary to his message, we assess that a lack of political will has caused the GOM's persistently missed fiscal and [...] |
2004-01-08 14:47:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN ECON PGOV KCOR EAID MI |
| 04LILONGWE223 |
MALAWI FRUSTRATED BY LACK OF PROGRESS IN ZIMBABWE [...] (U) Ambassador met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Lilian Patel to deliver reftel demarche on Zimbabwe. At the March 16 meeting, the Ambassador also briefly discussed Haiti (septel) and the MCA with the Minister. 2. (C) Patel stated that Malawi remains hopeful for increased dialogue betw [...] |
2004-03-18 14:53:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL MI ZI |
| 04LILONGWE240 |
PARLIAMENT APPROVES SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET AND [...] (SBU/NF) Before Parliament's March 20 dissolution, the House passed the controversial "compromise" version of the Corrupt Practices amendment, a supplementary budget, and other minor pieces of legislation. At present, the "compromise amendment" appears sufficient to fulfill the IMF's relaxed [...] |
2004-03-25 05:45:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV ECON EAID MI BUD FIN |
| 04LILONGWE244 |
INDEPENDENTS STAND OUT AS PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES [...] (U) On the official roster of candidates contesting in the May 18 parliamentary elections, each parliamentary district generally has between 4 and 13 candidates, with a notable number of contestants registered as independents. The ruling United Democratic Front (UDF)/Alliance for Democracy (AF [...] |
2004-03-25 09:04:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE245 |
VP MALEWEZI'S POLITICAL MISJUDGMENTS AND LEGAL WOES [...] (C) Since his January 1 resignation from the ruling United Democratic Front vice presidency and announcement of indefinite leave as Malawi's Vice President, Justin Malewezi has joined the opposition People's Progressive Movement (PPM), declared himself an independent presidential candidate, be [...] |
2004-03-25 09:52:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM MI |
| 04LILONGWE261 |
INFLUENCE ANALYSIS - MALAWI [...] (SBU) The information environment in Malawi has changed drastically in the ten years since multi-party democracy was instituted. During the previous 30-year regime of President for Life Hastings Banda, the information environment was completely closed. All news was censored and freedom of [...] |
2004-03-29 11:55:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KPAO OIIP MI |
| 04LILONGWE267 |
IOM'S VISIT TO MALAWI: CONCERNS ABOUT TIP AND THE [...] (U) SUMMARY. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is seeking to open a permanent office in Malawi. According to visiting IOM representatives, international human trafficking from Malawi and Mozambique via the Nacala corridor is the IOM's "most pressing (trafficking in persons) c [...] |
2004-03-30 09:37:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREF ELTN KCRM MI |
| 04LILONGWE270 |
CABINET GROWS YET AGAIN IN PATRONAGE PAY-OFF [...] (U) New Congress for Democracy (NCD) president Hetherwick Ntaba has been appointed Minister of the new Ministry of Energy and Mining, the Office of President and Cabinet announced on March 29. Ntaba, who formed NCD after being dismissed from the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) National Executive [...] |
2004-03-30 13:57:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM EFIN PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE28 |
FURTHER PRE-ELECTION FRAGMENTATION IN THE [...] (SBU) Malawi Congress Party (MCP) vice president Gwanda Chakuamba resigned from the leading opposition party and formed the Republican Party on January 8. After a shaky seven-month marriage of convenience with MCP president and personal nemesis John Tembo (ref B), Chakuamba announced his depa [...] |
2004-01-09 11:36:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM MI |
| 04LILONGWE283 |
IMF: SOME PROGRESS UNDERCUT BY FRESH PROBLEMS [...] (C) Malawi has made progress on its macroeconomic stabilization program, but it is unclear if that progress will be enough for the Executive Board to approve further disbursements, IMF Mission Chief to Malawi John Green told donors on March 23. Behind the scenes, an IMF staff member told Po [...] |
2004-04-02 14:31:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN ECON PGOV MI |
| 04LILONGWE289 |
SITUATION REPORT 28: HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN [...] SUMMARY. THIS IS A JOINT USAID/DCHA-USAID/MALAWI REPORTING CABLE. FROM MARCH 26-31, TWO FFP OFFICERS, OFDA REGIONAL ADVISOR, AND USAID/MALAWI AGRICULTURAL ADVISOR PARTICIPATED IN THE ONGOING VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT (VAC) IN MALAWI. DESPITE THIS TIME PERIOD BEING THE HEIGHT OF THE HUNGER S [...] |
2004-04-07 16:35:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID EAGR MI |
| 04LILONGWE326 |
ELECTORAL COMMISSION REMAINS INEFFECTIVE, [...] (SBU) Ineffectiveness and inefficiency have marked the Malawi Electoral Commission's (MEC) preparations for the May 18 elections. One million "extra" names on the official voting roster, overexpenditures resulting in a 26% increase in the elections budget, and failure to assure equitable cove [...] |
2004-04-22 15:26:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE333 |
MULUZI WARNS INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OBSERVERS [...] (U) President Muluzi warned international election observers not to interfere in the electoral process at a political rally on April 25. Muluzi said the observers' duty "is not to interfere with the election process and consequently decampaign (his) government." Claiming to have names of ind [...] |
2004-04-26 13:05:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE375 |
MALAWI TO MUDDLE THROUGH ELECTIONS [...] (C) The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) confirmed on May 5 that presidential and parliamentary elections will take place on May 18 in spite of continuing difficulties with the voters' roll, a flawed verification process, and a significant funding gap. On the political scene, a last-ditch cl [...] |
2004-05-07 09:47:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM EFIN PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE376 |
GOM CASE AGAINST VP MALEWEZI DISMISSED [...] (U) The High Court dismissed on May 4 the GOM's case against VP Justin Malewezi, in which government sought Malewezi's dismissal for resigning from the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) and the right to appoint a new First Vice President (reftel A). In the ruling, the panel of three judges [...] |
2004-05-07 10:14:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM MI |
| 04LILONGWE381 |
OPPOSITION UNHAPPY DESPITE MODEST MEC IMPROVEMENTS [...] (SBU) The Malawian Electoral Commission (MEC) announced the newly "cleaned-up" voters' roll has been reduced by nearly one million names, and publicly acknowledged the state-owned media houses' clear bias for the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF). Unsatisfied with the progress on the voter [...] |
2004-05-10 09:19:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE382 |
GOM AGAIN CO-OPTS LABOR UNION; "APPOINTS" ILO [...] (U) At Labor Day festivities on May 1, President Muluzi appointed Malawi Congress of Trade Unions (MCTU) President Sunduzwayo Madise, who was recently convicted of corruption, as Malawi's "representative" to the International Labor Organization (ILO). Muluzi also donated MK 10 million (USD 95 [...] |
2004-05-10 09:21:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ELAB PGOV EFIN KDEM MI |
| 04LILONGWE392 |
ELECTIONS: CLERGY COME OUT AGAINST FRONTRUNNER [...] (SBU) Presbyterian Church Synod Moderator Reverend Felix Chingota, speaking on behalf of the Presbyterian clergy in Malawi, told poloff that the Presbyterian Church has begun telling its approximately 3.5 million members that "it has difficulties with the United Democratic Front (UDF), and it [...] |
2004-05-11 15:19:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE398 |
COMPLAINTS ABOUT VOTERS' ROLL AND EXTRA BALLOTS [...] (U) As the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) began distributing ballots on May 12, opposition parties expressed grave concerns about the MEC's distribution of all 7.3 million ballots, rather than a reduced number based on the updated voters' roll of 5.7 million (reftel C). According to MEC Ch [...] |
2004-05-13 09:44:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE400 |
ELECTORAL COMMISSION ADMITS BIAS BY STATE MEDIA [...] (SBU) Summary. At a bruising meeting convened by donor chiefs of mission on May 11 with representatives of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) and the directors-general of state-controlled radio and television, the Commission itself acknowledged that election coverage has been heavily biase [...] |
2004-05-13 13:10:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM PINR KPAO MI |
| 04LILONGWE401 |
KWACHA SET TO TUMBLE AFTER ELECTIONS [...] (C) Currently trading around 109 to the dollar, Malawi's kwacha is set to tumble after next week's elections, Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) Governor Elias Ngalande told Pol/Econoff. Ngalande speculated that the kwacha will quickly depreciate to the range of 120-125. 2. (C) The RBM, which [...] |
2004-05-13 14:34:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN ECON PGOV MI |
| 04LILONGWE402 |
ELECTION RESULTS TO BE BROADCAST LIVE [...] Independent Capital Radio has devised a plan to broadcast May 18 election results live. In cooperation with Public Affairs Committee's (PAC) election monitors and funded by the British and Germans, Capital Radio will be on- air live from 6 pm on May 18 until 6 am on May 19 announcing result [...] |
2004-05-14 08:22:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM KPAO MI |
| 04LILONGWE403 |
STATE-OWNED RADIO HALTS OPPOSITION [...] (SBU) Opposition presidential candidate and First Vice President Justin Malawezi's interview on state-owned Malawi Broadcast Corporation (MBC) was halted after only 15 minutes of an hour-long program. Malawezi, formerly of the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) but running as an independen [...] |
2004-05-14 11:44:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM KPAO MI |
| 04LILONGWE404 |
FREER, BUT POORER: MALAWI AFTER TEN YEARS OF [...] (SBU) Summary and introduction: This month's presidential and parliamentary elections will mark ten years since Malawi's first democratic elections and the transition away from Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda's thirty-year dictatorship. Much has changed, for better and for worse, since the advent o [...] |
2004-05-14 11:44:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM ECON PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE405 |
COURTS POSTPONE ELECTIONS [...] (U) The High Court ruled on May 14 in favor of the Mgwirizano Coalition's request to postpone May 18 presidential and parliamentary elections. It decided on the grounds that the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) had not fulfilled the legal requirement to open the voters' roll for public scrut [...] |
2004-05-14 15:30:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE407 |
ELECTIONS RESCHEDULED FOR MAY 20 [...] (SBU) The Malawi Electoral Commission announced on May 16 that the presidential and parliamentary elections will be held May 20, the earliest date in accordance with the High Court's postponement of the polls (reftel C). COMMENT ------- 2. (SBU) A fresh round of criticism of the ruling Uni [...] |
2004-05-17 07:23:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE410 |
MULUZI CONFIRMS 5/20 ELECTIONS, 5/24 INAUGURATION [...] (C) President Muluzi telephoned Ambassador Browning May 15 on the eve of his departure from post. In the five-minute call, Muluzi wished the Ambassador well on his sudden assignment to Baghdad, about which he said the Minister of Foreign Affairs had briefed him. The Ambassador in turn wished [...] |
2004-05-17 12:07:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM ETRD MZ MI |
| 04LILONGWE411 |
MORE ATTACKS ON MUTHARIKA'S CREDIBILITY [...] (U) "The Nation" daily newspaper published a front-page story on May 17 questioning the authenticity of United Democratic Front (UDF) presidential candidate Bingu wa Mutharika's doctoral degree. In a carefully constructed article, the newspaper points out that Mutharika's CV does not list the [...] |
2004-05-17 13:21:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM PINR KPAO MI |
| 04LILONGWE413 |
UPDATE ON THE COURTS' POSTPONEMENT OF ELECTIONS [...] (SBU) In a three-fold ruling on May 16, the High Court ordered that the presidential and parliamentary elections be postponed, that the 1.6 million ballots in excess of the new voters' roll total be given to the High Court, and that President Muluzi stop using state resources to campaign. Sinc [...] |
2004-05-17 14:00:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE415 |
TAIWAN FRETS OVER POST-ELECTION TIES TO MALAWI [...] (C/NF) Taiwanese diplomats are worried that an opposition win in Malawi's upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections could result in Malawi breaking diplomatic relations, Second Secretary C.W. "Albert" Chang told Pol/Econoff. Local Taiwanese officials avoid the opposition and channel [...] |
2004-05-18 12:15:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PGOV KHIV PINR TW CM MI |
| 04LILONGWE434 |
POLLING DAY PROGRESSES PEACEFULLY [...] (SBU) In a calm and orderly fashion, Malawians turned out to vote in Malawi's third democratic presidential and parliamentary elections on May 20. A morning rush to the polls led to an afternoon lull, with only a few reports of minor violence. Persistent problems with the voters' roll and vo [...] |
2004-05-20 14:52:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM PINR PHUM MI |
| 04LILONGWE438 |
MUTHARIKA WINS ELECTIONS; OPPOSITION CONTESTS [...] (U) After 69 hours of counting, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) announced on May 23 the results of the presidential and parliamentary elections. Of the 5.7 million registered voters, MEC reports that 3.1 million voted (54.3%). The inauguration is scheduled for the morning of May 24. P [...] |
2004-05-24 06:29:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM PINR PHUM MI |
| 04LILONGWE439 |
SCATTERED DEMONSTRATIONS FOLLOW UDF VICTORY [...] Delayed announcement of presidential and parliamentary election results sparked scattered demonstrations and violence in Blantyre and Mzuzu on May 23 (reftel). The Mgwirizano Coalition, led by Gwanda Chakuamba, staged a demonstration in Blantyre to protest the Malawi Electoral Commission's (M [...] |
2004-05-24 07:13:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM CASC MI |
| 04LILONGWE445 |
OBSERVERS NOTE ELECTION SHORTCOMINGS [...] (SBU) Commending the general peaceful conduct of the polls, international election observers nevertheless have noted substantial shortcomings in Malawi's presidential and parliamentary elections. Among them, inequitable access to the state-owned media, the ruling party's use of state resource [...] |
2004-05-24 15:35:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM PINR PHUM MI |
| 04LILONGWE449 |
OPPOSITION CHALLENGES TO ELECTION HAVE LITTLE [...] (SBU) On the second day of the three-day gap between the close of polls and the announcement of election results, Mgwirizano Coalition leader Gwanda Chakuamba, acting without the Coalition's backing, announced on May 22 that he had won the presidential elections. While claiming victory, Chaku [...] |
2004-05-25 13:15:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM ASEC PHUM PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE45 |
AQUATIC WEEDS REMAIN ENVIRONMENTAL/ECONOMIC PROBLEM [...] Following continued power outages, The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi Limited (ESCOM) announced on January 5 that the recent onset of seasonal rains has caused an increase in the amount of biotrash (primarily in the form of aquatic weeds and silt) on the Shire River, which has "sever [...] |
2004-01-16 08:53:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | SENV ENRG EAID ECON MI |
| 04LILONGWE450 |
ELECTIONS SPLINTER PARLIAMENT, EXPOSE UDF [...] (SBU) Low voter turnout, a splintering of parties in Parliament, an unprecedented number of independent parliamentary victors, and the failure of eleven former cabinet members to win in the elections on May 20 showed an electorate deeply dissatisfied with the status quo. While the majority [...] |
2004-05-25 13:26:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM ECON PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE451 |
MUTHARIKA CALLS FOR RECONCILIATION AND REFORM AT [...] (U) Summary: Bingu wa Mutharika was inaugurated as Malawi's third president on May 24 at a sparsely-attended ceremony in Blantyre. Calling for reconciliation, reform, and peace in his inaugural address, he outlined a program to move Malawi "from poverty to prosperity"; announced his intention [...] |
2004-05-25 14:40:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM ECON KCOR PINR LY TW RW KE MI |
| 04LILONGWE452 |
VIOLENCE BRIEFLY FLARES FOLLOWING ELECTIONS [...] (U) SUMMARY: SCATTERED VIOLENCE LINKED TO LAST WEEK'S NATIONAL ELECTIONS OCCURRED THROUGHOUT MALAWI FROM 22-24 MAY; AS YET UNCONFIRMED REPORTS SEEM TO INDICATE THAT UP TO THREE FATALITIES MAY HAVE OCCURRED IN BLANTYRE DURING THESE DISTURBANCES, WHICH APPEAR TO HAVE RUN THEIR COURSE FOR NOW. LI [...] |
2004-05-25 15:13:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC CASC PGOV PHUM MI |
| 04LILONGWE457 |
MUTHARIKA MEETS DONORS, SENDS MIXED MESSAGES [...] (U) Summary. President Bingu wa Mutharika convened heads of mission from donor countries and agencies in Lilongwe for a two-hour meeting on May 27 during which he outlined his plans to move Malawi from "poverty to prosperity." While the bulk of the meeting was spent paraphrasing the inaugur [...] |
2004-05-27 15:16:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM EFIN PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE458 |
THE MEDIA ON ELECTION DAY [...] Summary: Presidential and parliamentary elections in Malawi left one radio station shut down and four of its staff members in police custody for airing an `inflammatory interview' with an opposition leader who was disputing election results. A journalist from another private radio station was [...] |
2004-05-28 05:02:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KPAO KDEM MI |
| 04LILONGWE468 |
OPPOSITION SET TO TAKE PARLIAMENT'S LEADERSHIP [...] (SBU) As Parliament prepares for the June 7 swearing-in of new members and selection of leadership, opposition political parties have pledged to work together to take control of the House. Meanwhile, the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) is trying to gain the support of independents MPs, mo [...] |
2004-06-02 07:58:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM MI |
| 04LILONGWE47 |
FOOD SITUATION IN MALAWI INCREASINGLY WORRYING [...] Summary. Poor rainfall, coupled with maize price volatility, is raising concerns that there may be a new food security crisis in Malawi this year. The Government of Malawi (GOM) has stated that it may need to declare a disaster within the next three months if harvest prospects do not improve. [...] |
2004-01-16 12:16:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID EAGR ECON MI |
| 04LILONGWE473 |
CABINET DELAY SIGNALS PRESIDENT'S PARTY WOES [...] (C) Ten days after the elections, President Bingu wa Mutharika has not yet appointed a cabinet. With speculation and rumors abounding, it is clear that Mutharika is having a difficult time both in balancing internal UDF politics and in building a working majority in Parliament. The cabinet's [...] |
2004-06-03 09:34:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE477 |
MALAWI UPDATE ON AGOA III [...] (C) Per reftel request, failure to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act's (AGOA) third-country fabric provision, if permanent or even long-term, would likely have a significant impact on Malawi's garment exports to the United States. Of the five companies currently exporting under AG [...] |
2004-06-03 11:25:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | ETRD PREL ECON MI |
| 04LILONGWE488 |
OPPOSITION LEADER JUMPS SHIP; JOINS WITH RULING [...] (SBU) Summary: In an act of breathtaking (though not surprising) opportunism, opposition leader Gwanda Chakuamba has allied himself with newly-elected president Bingu wa Mutharika and the United Democratic Front (UDF) party. The UDF believes the addition of the 19 parliamentary seats Chaku [...] |
2004-06-04 11:10:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE493 |
"GOVERNMENT OF RECONCILIATION" NOT YET CERTAIN [...] (SBU) Eighteen days after his controversial election, President Bingu wa Mutharika has still to appoint a cabinet. Meanwhile, the Office of the President and Cabinet has postponed the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speakers of Parliament (ostensibly over legal technicalities). The delayed [...] |
2004-06-07 11:50:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM MI |
| 04LILONGWE497 |
GLOBAL FUND'S EFFECTIVENESS IN MALAWI STIFLED [...] (SBU) The Global Fund's effectiveness in Malawi, the largest HIV/AIDS award recipient, has been stifled by operational and administrative problems. The goal of "limited oversight" has become unstructured and unwritten operational guidelines that are often confusing rather than liberating. Th [...] |
2004-06-08 12:38:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KHIV EAID TBIO SOCI MI WHO HIV AIDS |
| 04LILONGWE499 |
INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT - MALAWI [...] The following is the June 2004 update of Malawi's Investment Climate Statement. Openness to Foreign Investment ------------------------------ 2. The Government encourages both domestic and foreign investment in most sectors of the economy, without restrictions on ownership, size of inve [...] |
2004-06-08 13:28:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | EINV EFIN ELAB ETRD KTDB PGOV MI |
| 04LILONGWE503 |
IMF: TEAM LOOKS FOR FRESH START [...] (SBU) Visiting IMF officials told donors that poor fiscal and monetary performance had caused the Fund's Executive Board not to consider Malawi's case in April. Given the country's poor performance, the current facility (which was to have run through December) has been abandoned. Having lost [...] |
2004-06-08 14:45:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON PGOV MI |
| 04LILONGWE514 |
HOPE FOR NACALA WITH NEW GOVERNMENT? [...] (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 Finan [...] |
2004-06-09 15:24:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | ELTN EINV PGOV PREL MI |
| 04LILONGWE515 |
FINAL PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS RESULTS ANNOUNCED [...] The results of the three parliamentary districts with outstanding results, announced on June 4, change the composition of Parliament very little. The Malawi Congress Party and the United Democratic Front both added one to their totals. The third seat went to an independent. At present, the [...] |
2004-06-09 15:27:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM MI |
| 04LILONGWE520 |
PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES NEW CABINET [...] SUMMARY. More than three weeks after elections, President Bingu wa Mutharika finally announced his cabinet on June 13. With 21 senior ministers (including the President and Vice President) and 8 deputy ministers, Mutharika failed in his attempt to reduce the size of the cabinet to 20. In an e [...] |
2004-06-14 11:43:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV ECON PREL PINR KDEM MARR MI |
| 04LILONGWE523 |
SADC TEAM ALONE IN PRAISING MALAWI'S ELECTIONS [...] (U) The SADC Election Observer Team (SEOT) stood alone in its failure to find fault with Malawi's May 20 elections, and unlike all other observer missions deemed the elections as "free and fair and credible" according to a preliminary statement. African Union (AU), Commonwealth, European Union [...] |
2004-06-15 13:27:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL MI |
| 04LILONGWE529 |
MALAWI VP OFFERS CONDOLENCES [...] Vice-President Cassim Chilumpha has described the death of former President Reagan as a great loss not only to the United States but also to the whole world. On June 14, upon returning from funeral services in the U.S. (reftel A), Chilumpha said Reagan was well known for his fight to end commu [...] |
2004-06-16 08:55:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | NOTAG MI |
| 04LILONGWE540 |
NEW FINANCE MINISTER BRIEFS DONORS ON PLANS TO GET [...] (SBU) Summary. Two days after being sworn in, new finance minister Goodall Gondwe briefed donor heads of mission of his plans to get Malawi back on track with the international financial institutions; indicated that Malawi is entering into an IMF staff-monitored program; made a pitch for early [...] |
2004-06-21 15:51:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON PGOV MI |
| 04LILONGWE559 |
UDF OBTAINS MAJORITY IN PARLIAMENT; MULUZI [...] (SBU) With the June 18 announcement that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) have formed an alliance, the UDF (owing primarily to Chairman Bakili Muluzi's political maneuvering) has successfully secured a majority in Parliament and overcome the o [...] |
2004-06-23 09:32:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE585 |
ELECTRICITY CORPORATION TO MANAGE AQUATIC WEEDS [...] (U) In an attempt to reduce load-shedding and power cuts caused by aquatic weeds clogging hydroelectric power stations, the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi, Limited (ESCOM) has purchased a USD 795,000 aquatic weeds control system from American corporation Aquarius Systems (Aquarius). [...] |
2004-06-28 15:34:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SENV ENRG EAID ECON ETRD MI |
| 04LILONGWE586 |
CORRUPTION FEATHERS EX-PRESIDENT'S NEST [...] (SBU/NF) Taking office in 1994 with a couple of nearly bankrupt businesses, former President Bakili Muluzi finished his ten years in the presidency as one of the richest men in Malawi. That he acquired his fortune while officially earning an annual salary of USD 56,000 (MK 6 million) demonstra [...] |
2004-06-28 15:37:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | KCOR ECON PGOV PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE596 |
MUNYENYEMBE ELECTED SPEAKER, MUTHARIKA OPENS [...] (SBU) With a narrow margin of victory, United Democratic Front (UDF) MP Rodwell Munyenyembe was elected Speaker of the National Assembly on June 28. The House also elected First and Second Deputies, both of whom are pro-UDF. President Bingu wa Mutharika, in his first address to Parliament on [...] |
2004-06-30 11:38:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV KDEM PINR KCOR ECON EFIN MI |
| 04LILONGWE612 |
MALAWI'S NEW MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS SEEKS [...] (U) SUMMARY. Dr. George Chaponda, Malawi's new Minister of Foreign Affairs was sworn in on June 16 (reftel A). Chaponda, after nearly twenty years of UNHCR service, seems eager to raise standards of professionalism and fiscal discipline in his ministry, and would like to explore the possibi [...] |
2004-07-02 09:11:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE614 |
FINANCE MINISTER SEEKS USG SUPPORT FOR WORLD BANK [...] (C) Minister of Finance Goodall Gondwe, in an introductory call with the Charge on July 2, made a direct request for the USG to support disbursement of Malawi's World Bank Structural Adjustment Credit (SAC) and for an expert economist to be imbedded into the Ministry of Finance. Gondwe argued [...] |
2004-07-02 09:39:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EAID PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE623 |
PRESIDENT MUTHARIKA SENDS CONGRATULATORY LETTER TO [...] Post received a congratulatory letter from President Bingu wa Mutharika for President Bush on the occasion of the U.S. Independence Day. Text of the letter follows in paragraph 2. 2. Begin text: As you celebrate your country's national day, today, the government and people of the Republi [...] |
2004-07-07 15:01:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | OPDC PREL PGOV MI |
| 04LILONGWE630 |
MALAWI LIKELY TO SUPPORT U.S. CANDIDACY AT ICAO [...] Acting Director of Civil Aviation Justin Mkandawire told econoff on July 8 that the GOM will likely support the USG's bid for re-election as a Category 1 country to the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), as it has done in the past. Mkandawire said the GOM has not [...] |
2004-07-08 12:17:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | AORC EAIR MI ICAO |
| 04LILONGWE649 |
MUTHARIKA ASSUMES AID TO RESUME [...] (U) Upon arrival from the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, President Bingu wa Mutharika reportedly told the media on July 9 that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had written to donor governments, instructing them to resume aid because the Fund was pleased with Malawi's renewed commitme [...] |
2004-07-13 14:58:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID EFIN ECON PGOV PREL MI |
| 04LILONGWE652 |
FORMER DEPUTY COMMANDER BECOMES MILITARY COMMANDER [...] (U) The Office of President and Cabinet (OPC) announced on July 12 that with immediate effect Deputy Commander Lt. General Marko Chiziko will succeed General Joseph Chimbayo as Commander of the Malawi Defense Force (MDF). According to the OPC statement, Chimbayo's contract finished last month, [...] |
2004-07-14 06:50:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | MARR MCAP PINR PREL PGOV MI |
| 04LILONGWE662 |
GOM INTERESTED IN OPEN SKIES AGREEMENT [...] (SBU) Minister of Transport and Public Works Henry Mussa expressed interest in learning more about the USG's Open Skies Agreement during a July 16 introductory call with the Charge. Mussa was interested to learn of the code-sharing benefits the agreement offers and to hear that several of Mal [...] |
2004-07-16 10:50:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | EAIR PREL PBTS PTER PINS MI |
| 04LILONGWE677 |
MUTHARIKA MAKES MINOR CHANGES TO CABINET [...] (U) Officials at the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) announced on July 14 that President Bingu wa Mutharika, who already leads the Ministries of Defense and Civil Service, will also be responsible for the Ministry of Statutory Corporations and Privatization. Vice President Cassim Ch [...] |
2004-07-20 14:56:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM ECON PINR PREL MI |
| 04LILONGWE678 |
GOM SIGNS ZAMBEZI WATER COMMISSION TO STEM WATER [...] (U) Upon his return from the July 15 Zambezi Water Commission (ZAMCOM) signing ceremony, Minister of Mining, Natural Resources, and Environment Davis Katsonga said the GOM hoped the Commission would help solve the Shire River's continuing difficulties with water weeds, which are a root cause o [...] |
2004-07-20 15:06:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SENV ENRG EAID ECON MI |
| 04LILONGWE680 |
INCREASE IN DEPORTEES BEING SENT BACK TO BANGLADESH [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: A British diplomat seconded to the Malawi Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) contacted RSO about a group of Bangladeshi males who had recently been deported. He stated that Malawi Immigration authorities let most of the men pass through Immigration even though they had been ordered to [...] |
2004-07-21 08:14:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC CVIS KFRD MI |
| 04LILONGWE686 |
NEW VOA-AFFILIATED INDEPENDENT RADIO STATION GOES [...] Voice of America (VOA) has extended its partnership with an independent affiliate, Capital Radio, to bring non-government controlled radio broadcast to northern Malawi. On July 19, Ambassador and PAS staff attended the Mzuzu launch ceremony of the new station, which significantly enhances th [...] |
2004-07-22 15:23:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO OIIP KDEM MI |
| 04LILONGWE696 |
CHILD LABOR REMAINS AN ISSUE IN MALAWI [...] One-third of Malawian children aged five to seventeen are involved in child labor, according to the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training's recently released Malawi Child Labour 2002 Report. The report, funded by the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) through the International La [...] |
2004-07-23 10:11:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | ELAB EIND ETRD PHUM SOCI EAID MI |
| 04LILONGWE706 |
NEW MINISTER OF EDUCATION SEEKS USG SUPPORT FOR [...] SUMMARY. Newly appointed Minister of Education Yusuf Mwawa, formerly the Minister of Health under President Muluzi, said his first major task is to find a solution to the dwindling number of teachers in primary schools. In his estimation, improving the teacher training colleges will fill th [...] |
2004-07-27 12:15:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | SOCI EAID MI |
| 04LILONGWE710 |
EMBOFFS PRESENT G/TIP REPORT TO NEW GOM MINISTER [...] (U) SUMMARY. Charge and Poloff paid an introductory call ON Malawi's newly appointed Minister of Gender, Child Welfare, and Community Services, Joyce Banda. The minister was unfamiliar with the issue of human trafficking and Malawi's G/TIP Tier Two - Watch List status, and agreed the issue s [...] |
2004-07-29 07:04:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | KWMN KCRM PHUM PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE716 |
OPEN SKIES AGREEMENT LOOKS CLEAR TO MFA [...] (SBU) Minister of Foreign Affairs George Chaponda confirmed the GOM's interest in the Open Skies agreement when the Charge provide reftel A information during a July 29 meeting. Chaponda said the GOM will review the documentation provided and begin consultations with the relevant Ministries. [...] |
2004-07-30 04:53:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR PREL MI |
| 04LILONGWE719 |
SPARKS OF INDEPENDENCE FROM THE COULD-BE REFORM [...] (C) Mere days after former President Muluzi left on his annual (government-funded) ex-presidential vacation, President Bingu wa Mutharika replaced several key government officials. He appointed a new Commander of the Army (reftel), a new Director of Public Prosecutions, and a new Chief of Sta [...] |
2004-07-30 10:35:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM EFIN PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE723 |
GOM TAKES ISSUE WITH MALAWI'S TIP RANKING [...] (SBU) Minister of Foreign Affairs George Chaponda told the Charge on July 28 that the GOM is "very concerned" about Malawi's ranking as a Tier Two - Watch List country in the Department's 2004 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. Chaponda said the ranking "did not reflect the situation on the [...] |
2004-08-02 08:01:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PHUM KWMN KCRM MI UNGA |
| 04LILONGWE728 |
RULING PARTY DEVELOPING FISSURE; GOVERNMENT [...] (C) With former President and United Democratic Front (UDF) Chairman Bakili Muluzi's return from his overseas holiday and President Bingu wa Mutharika's continuing display of independence (reftel), a fissure in the ruling UDF is quickly forming between Muluzi's old guard and Mutharika's recent [...] |
2004-08-03 11:40:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE734 |
TIP OPEN FOR DISCUSSION IN MALAWI [...] SUMMARY. On July 29, post hosted a Human Rights Symposium focused on trafficking in persons (TIP). In attendance were numerous GOM officials, including Minister of Gender, Child Welfare, and Community Services Joyce Banda. The keynote address was presented by Supreme Court Justice Anastazia [...] |
2004-08-04 13:39:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KCRM KWMN PREL MI |
| 04LILONGWE735 |
NACALA CORRIDOR AGREEMENT SIGNED [...] (C) After several last-minutes delays and missed deadlines, the Government of Malawi has signed a direct agreement with the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and the Central East African Railways Company (CEAR) to revive the Nacala Port and Rail Corridor. CEAR's holding company b [...] |
2004-08-04 13:48:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | EINV ETRD PREL MI |
| 04LILONGWE741 |
SITREP 29: DISASTER ALERT FOR EMERGING HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE NEEDS IN MALAWI [...] Summary: Many of the same conditions that sparked the 2001-2003 food crisis are emerging again this year in Malawi. The recently concluded harvest was slightly below the ten year average and below the 2001 harvest volume that presaged the 2001-2003 food crisis. Government maize stocks, which l [...] |
2004-08-06 10:00:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID EAGR MI |
| 04LILONGWE768 |
MALAWI AT A CROSSROADS WITH IMF [...] (SBU) At last week's outbriefing to donor countries, the IMF's Article IV assessment team said Malawi's new government is going in the right economic direction and that the IMF team would recommend a Staff Monitoring Program for the 2004/05 fiscal year. They assessed the GOM's draft budget as [...] |
2004-08-09 13:54:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN ECON EINV PREL MI |
| 04LILONGWE775 |
MALAWI EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM WORSE OFF THAN [...] SUMMARY. According to the recently released "Free Primary Education For All" report, dropout rates, repetition rates, and qualified teacher-to-pupil ratios in public primary schools have all worsened over the past ten years. At the same time, overall enrollment and government expenditures on [...] |
2004-08-10 15:20:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | SOCI EAID MI |
| 04LILONGWE785 |
ISLAM IN MALAWI: A POST-MALAWI FIVE PERSPECTIVE [...] (S) The June 2003 expulsion of five non-Malawian Muslims suspected of ties to Al-Qaida (AKA the "Malawi Five"), which the press characterized as and most Malawians believe to have been a USG-initiative, came at time when the Muslim-Christian divide was being exploited by politicians in the run- [...] |
2004-08-12 13:25:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | SECRET | KISL PINR KPAO PTER ASEC PREL KIRF OIIP MI |
| 04LILONGWE798 |
OPPOSITION NDA MERGES WITH RULING UDF; MPINGANJIRA [...] (SBU) After only one year as a registered political party (and over three years of strong anti-United Democratic Front opposition), Brown Mpinganjira's National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has de-registered and merged with the UDF. The party's August 9 decision to join the ruling party, which ac [...] |
2004-08-17 14:01:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE800 |
MALAWI'S PRIVATE SECTOR OPTIMISTIC ABOUT MUTHARIKA [...] (U) A recent visit to Malawi's business capital, Blantyre, showed the private sector to be generally optimistic about the new administration's economic direction. The consensus is that President Mutharika seems to be serious about cutting corruption and winning donor support through fiscal di [...] |
2004-08-18 11:12:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV PGOV PREL KCOR MI |
| 04LILONGWE820 |
MEDIA REPORT: STATE-RUN MEDIA FREEDOM [...] SUMMARY: A new era is dawning for the state media in Malawi. The Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and Television Malawi (TVM) have increased their coverage of different political perspectives after newly-elected government officials openly encouraged the two media houses to present opp [...] |
2004-08-23 08:11:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO KDEM MI |
| 04LILONGWE821 |
2004 MALAWI CHILD LABOR UPDATE [...] This message is an update of reftel A, as requested reftel B. Laws and Regulations Proscribing Child Labor -------------------------------------------- 2. According to Labor Commissioner Zebron Kambuto, the GOM is currently preparing a code of conduct to serve as a guide for labor officers [...] |
2004-08-23 14:22:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | ELAB PHUM EAID EIND ETRD SOCI MI AFIN |
| 04LILONGWE823 |
MUTHARIKA TO "OPEN DIALOGUE" WITH MUGABE [...] (C) President Bingu wa Mutharika plans "to open a behind-the-scenes dialogue" with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe during a August 26-28 trip to Zimbabwe. Mutharika, who will be in Zimbabwe to attend the annual Agricultural Society Show on August 27, is "concerned" about the situation in Z [...] |
2004-08-24 13:13:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM ZI MI |
| 04LILONGWE838 |
MALAWI'S PRIVATE SECTOR OPTIMISTIC ABOUT MUTHARIKA [...] (U) A recent visit to Malawi's business capital, Blantyre, showed the private sector to be generally optimistic about the new administration's economic direction. The consensus is that President Mutharika seems to be serious about cutting corruption and winning donor support through fiscal di [...] |
2004-08-30 06:03:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV PGOV PREL KCOR MI |
| 04LILONGWE839 |
NOISE ABOUT CORRUPTION IN MALAWI [...] (C) Malawi's new administration has been very public about its intention to bring corruption under control. President Bingu wa Mutharika has replaced the chief government prosecutor, who in turn has publicly targeted several former ministers and ruling party members. The noise of a crackdown [...] |
2004-08-30 06:04:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN KCOR PGOV PREL MI |
| 04LILONGWE842 |
MALAWI'S CENTRAL BANK FIGHTS TO MAINTAIN KWACHA [...] (U) With the Malawian kwacha under increasing pressure, the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) has so far managed to maintain its value by using a combination of methods, conventional and otherwise. A small, heavily invested market with few speculative options has helped them up to now. In the lon [...] |
2004-08-30 10:45:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN ECON MI |
| 04LILONGWE844 |
A TECHNOCRAT TAKES OFFICE: MUTHARIKA AT 100 DAYS [...] (C) Elected by a small margin and achieved only with former President Bakili Muluzi's support, President Bingu wa Mutharika has made surprisingly independent strides in rooting out corruption, instilling fiscal discipline, and professionalizing government. His operating assumption is that if [...] |
2004-08-31 14:25:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PINR ECON EFIN MI |
| 04LILONGWE849 |
AGOA UPDATE FOR MALAWI [...] (U) SUMMARY: Malawi meets AGOA eligibility requirements for 2004. The GOM continues to liberalize its economy to a market-based model, improve rule of law, remove barriers to trade and investment, reduce poverty through economic policy, combat corruption, and protect worker rights. AGOA benef [...] |
2004-09-01 14:17:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD ELAB PREL EFIN PHUM MI AGOA |
| 04LILONGWE850 |
AFRICAN PEERS RATE MALAWI [...] (SBU) In line with President Bingu wa Mutharika's commitment at the recent African Union Summit to have Malawi reviewed by the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), a preliminary report commissioned by the GOM finds "significant gaps" in economic management, a need for executive branch checks, [...] |
2004-09-02 09:40:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PINR ECON EFIN PREL KCOR MI |
| 04LILONGWE854 |
MALAWI'S FISCAL PERFORMANCE IMPROVING [...] (C) Based on performance in its first 100 days in office, the administration of President Bingu Wa Mutharika appears to be focusing effectively on fiscal discipline. Recent consultations with Ministry of Finance officials and resident staff of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World B [...] |
2004-09-02 13:18:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN ECON EINV PREL PGOV MI |
| 04LILONGWE855 |
MILITARY SHUFFLES UPPER RANKS [...] (U) President Bingu wa Mutharika appointed Major General Ernest Ntonya as Deputy Commander of the Malawi Defense Force (MDF) and promoted him to the rank of Lieutenant General on August 1. Ntonya, who was serving as the military's Chief of Staff, fills the hole created by General Marko Chiziko [...] |
2004-09-02 13:34:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | MCAP MOPS PINR PGOV MI |
| 04LILONGWE859 |
MALAWI ARMY SET TO GAIN GROUND IN HIV/AIDS FIGHT [...] (SBU/NF//FOUO) In a resource poor environment, the Malawi Defense Force (MDF) highlights prevention as its main campaign against HIV/AIDS, but has recently scaled up its voluntary counseling and testing services as well as care and treatment programs. USG assistance has helped position the MD [...] |
2004-09-03 09:45:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MCAP KHIV PINR MASS TBIO MI HIV AIDS |
| 04LILONGWE868 |
GOM DISSATISFIED WITH TIP REPORT [...] In a Note Verbale dated August 20, the GOM has once again expressed its dissatisfaction with its Tier 2 - Watch List ranking. As reported in reftel A, the GOM takes issue with the content of the 2004 TIP report and maintains it has taken necessary steps to combat TIP in the country. 2. Te [...] |
2004-09-08 14:05:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | KCRM KWMN PHUM PGOV SMIG MI |
| 04LILONGWE881 |
MALAWI ANTI-CORRUPTION CHIEF REPLACED [...] (U) President Bingu wa Mutharika has unexpectedly replaced the director of Malawi's Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB). This move comes as a commision report on corruption at the state agricultural monopoly was released and a key witness in that and another high-profile scandal has disappeared. Mut [...] |
2004-09-13 14:10:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON KCOR EINV PGOV MI |
| 04LILONGWE889 |
UNHCR VERIFIES REFUGEE POPULATION IN MALAWI [...] (C) SUMMARY. A UNHCR team from Geneva has assembled in Malawi to verify the number of refugees and asylum seekers in the two camps and in urban areas. Serious problems with the 2003 census and doubts about UNHCR Malawi's management of the refugee situation prompted World Food Program (WFP) to [...] |
2004-09-14 13:56:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PHUM MI |
| 04LILONGWE895 |
UDF INSIDER VENTS ON THE MUTHARIKA ADMINISTRATION [...] (C) Ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) MP Austin Muluzi, son of former President Bakili Muluzi, spoke freely about the UDF's displeasure with President Bingu wa Mutharika at a September 15 lunch with poloff. According to Austin, UDF MPs plan to feign support for Mutharika's budget at a Septe [...] |
2004-09-16 13:24:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV EFIN PINR KCOR MI |
| 04LILONGWE896 |
MALAWI HAS THE MONEY--NOW WHAT? [...] (U) The World Bank vice president for Africa recently briefed donors in Lilongwe, confirming that the Bank was disbursing $25 million in order to support the new government's fiscal reform agenda and to avoid a currency crisis. He reported that the GOM is looking to raise the bar on economic [...] |
2004-09-16 13:43:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV EAID EFIN PREL MI |
| 04LILONGWE910 |
OPPOSITION ROUNDUP: WHO'S WHERE IN OPPOSITION [...] (SBU) Since the May 2004 presidential and parliamentary elections, the landscape of opposition politics has changed. Political parties and national politics remain focused on individuals, but many of those individuals now have their own parties. While not necessarily breaking down the strong [...] |
2004-09-22 07:56:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM PINR MI |
| 04LILONGWE933 |
GLOBAL FUND: BUYING ON CREDIT IN MALAWI [...] Per reftel A request, post provides the following update on Global Fund activities in Malawi. SUMMARY ------- 2. As the end of year two of Global Fund in Malawi approaches, the GOM will likely exceed anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment and voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) goals, but wil [...] |
2004-09-24 09:26:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | KHIV EAID SOCI TBIO ECON PGOV MI HIV AIDS |
| 04LILONGWE939 |
SITREP 30: GOVERNMENT TAKES STEPS [...] No summary [...] |
2004-09-27 08:20:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID EAGR MI |
| 04LILONGWE968 |
MALAWI'S BUDGET APPROVED [...] (U) Malawi's Parliament approved the FY 2004/05 budget on September 24. During the course of deliberations, Parliament added MK4.2 billion ($39 million) of additional spending, principally for HIV/AIDS programs. The deficit would remain at about MK8.5 billion ($79 million), or 4.3 percent of [...] |
2004-10-08 11:12:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN EAID ETRD PREL MI BUD FIN |
| 04LILONGWE981 |
BY-ELECTIONS RESCHEDULED [...] THE MALAWI ELECTORAL COMMISSION (MEC) HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE EIGHT BY-ELECTIONS THAT WERE ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE THIS MONTH HAVE BEEN SHIFTED TO JANUARY 11, 2005. THE OFFICIAL CAMPAIGN PERIOD IS NOW SET TO BEGIN ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2004 AND END ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 9, 2005. VOTE [...] |
2004-10-12 15:23:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM MI |
| 04PARIS9130 |
FRANCE AND SOUTHERN AFRICA [...] (C) SUMMARY: This is the first of several messages reviewing France's relations with Africa. The southern African region currently attracts less French attention than any other region of Africa. With no francophone countries, and only one country currently engaged in conflict (Angola, at muc [...] |
2004-12-27 14:15:00 | Embassy Paris | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM AO BC LT MI MZ WA SF WZ ZA ZI ZU XA FR |
| 05GABORONE1668 |
LAKE MALAWI/NYASA/NIASSA INVASIVE AQUATIC WEEDS [...] The OES Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) have initiated a $200,000 project to promote collaborative management efforts on Lake Malawi/Nyasa/Niassa (LMNN) among the three Lake nations -- Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. This initiative is designed to advance USG regional securit [...] |
2005-11-14 11:41:00 | Embassy Gaborone | UNCLASSIFIED | SENV EAID MI MZ TZ |
| 05LILONGWE1005 |
MUTHARIKA-BUSH LETTER ON TAIWAN [...] Post is pouching to Department a letter from President Mutharika to President Bush, requesting U.S. consideration of UN membership for Taiwan. In the letter, Mutharika cites the examples of the former Soviet republics, states of the former Yugoslavia, and Singapore as nations that were all adm [...] |
2005-11-28 06:27:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL MI TW |
| 05LILONGWE1018 |
MALAWI LAND REFORM STALLED [...] Malawi's informal system of land administration continues to hinder economic development. A land reform program adopted last year proposes across-the-board reforms, but resistance from local chiefs is stiff. There has been some progress putting a land bureaucracy in place, but the current GO [...] |
2005-12-05 09:36:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | EAGR ECON EINV MI |
| 05LILONGWE1020 |
MALAWI REQUESTS END USER AGREEMENT ON HELICOPTERS [...] (SBU) The Government of Malawi has submitted, via diplomatic note to the Embassy, a request for an End User, Retransfer and Security Assurances agreement covering four UH-1H helicopters. The helicopters, tail numbers 317, 331, 360, and 387, are to be donated to Malawi by Taiwan. Post has no [...] |
2005-12-05 14:43:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | ETTC PGOV PREL MI TW |
| 05LILONGWE1031 |
PRESIDENT'S PARTY SWEEPS BY-ELECTION [...] (SBU) Summary: In its first test at the polls, President Mutharika's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has won all six parliamentary seats up for grabs in the December 6 by-election. It is a huge win for the DPP and the President, giving Mutharika a vote of confidence from the populace and e [...] |
2005-12-08 14:32:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | KDEM PGOV MI |
| 05LILONGWE1043 |
MALAWI TELECOMMUNICATIONS PRIVATIZED AT LAST [...] (SBU) After a delay that started last August, Malawi's telecom provider has been sold to a consortium of local companies for $29 million. President Bingu wa Mutharika had stopped the deal out of concern that the privatized company might disconnect the two state-owned television broadcasters. [...] |
2005-12-15 08:07:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EINV ECON ECPS KCOR MI |
| 05LILONGWE105 |
RULING PARTY POISED FOR MAJOR SPLIT [...] SUMMARY: Amid the continuing rift within Malawi's ruling United Democratic Front (UDF), two senior party officials have resigned their positions on the party's National Executive Committee. Former president Muluzi, in his capacity as party chairman, is now openly seeking to expel President M [...] |
2005-02-02 15:11:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM MI |
| 05LILONGWE1058 |
MALAWI TELECOM BOARD HOLDS UP PRIVATIZATION [...] (SBU) At what should have been a largely pro-forma meeting on 15 December, the board of Malawi Telecommunications Ltd. (MTL) voted down a proposal to privatize itself. The GOM, its sole shareholder, signed the deal on 14 December, together with all the other interested parties. Although MTL' [...] |
2005-12-19 07:25:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN KCOR ECPS ECON MI |
| 05LILONGWE1059 |
TEST OF PRESIDENT'S COMMITMENT TO ANTI-CORRUPTION [...] (SBU) The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) is investigating two cases against high-profile government ministers, which serve as another test of President Mutharika's commitment to his zero-tolerance anti-corruption campaign. If either is convicted it would be a blow to the President's Democratic [...] |
2005-12-19 14:18:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM MI |
| 05LILONGWE1062 |
RE-ENERGIZED MUTHARIKA LAUNCHES IRRIGATION DRIVE [...] (U) Summary: Fresh from his party's by-election victory, a newly confident President Mutharika has launched a major GOM initiative to expand irrigation and improve food security. In a wide-ranging donor briefing on December 16, the president talked of plans for commercial farming, new dams and [...] |
2005-12-20 09:44:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON EAGR PGOV MI |
| 05LILONGWE107 |
MALAWI REIGNING IN PARASTATALS, PUSHING [...] (SBU) President Bingu wa Mutharika has recently reactivated the GOM's privatization program with a public speech strongly endorsing the Privatization Commission's efforts to push ahead with selling parastatal corporations. He is also said to have ordered the halt of operations at the Malawi De [...] |
2005-02-03 12:17:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KMCA KCOR PREL ECON EINV EAID MI |
| 05LILONGWE109 |
MALAWI REPLACES RESERVE BANK GOVERNOR [...] (U) The GOM announced on Tuesday that Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) Governor Elias Ngalande is to be replaced at the end of his contract on February 28. He is to be replaced with the recently retired chief executive and current chairman of Stanbic Bank, Victor Mbewe. Stanbic is Malawi's secon [...] |
2005-02-04 06:26:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV PREL MI BUD FIN |
| 05LILONGWE117 |
PRESIDENT RESIGNS FROM OWN PARTY, RESHUFFLES [...] Summary: In a dramatic move, President Bingu wa Mutharika has resigned from his own party, making a definitive break with his predecessor, Bakili Muluzi. In addition, Mutharika has fired two ministers and two deputy ministers and reshuffled his cabinet. The actions are positive moves, both [...] |
2005-02-07 14:08:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM EAID KMCA MI |
| 05LILONGWE118 |
MALAWI CABINET RESHUFFLE [...] No summary [...] |
2005-02-07 14:56:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM MI |
| 05LILONGWE128 |
MALAWI CONSIDERS NEW DEVELOPMENT AGENDA [...] (SBU) As Malawi's Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) reaches the end of its three-year life, the GOM has floated the idea of taking a new tack as it develops its next PRSP. The proposed new agenda would be based on the Malawi Economic Growth Strategy, essentially a plan for removing constr [...] |
2005-02-09 10:57:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID EFIN EINV PREL KMCA MI |
| 05LILONGWE131 |
MALAWI'S ANTI-CORRUPTION FIGHT RATCHETS UP [...] (U) Malawi's president used Malawi's Anti-Corruption Day on February 5 as a platform to reaffirm his stance against corruption and to use the issue as a political lever against the ruling party. As he raises the profile of this issue still further, the main GOM agency responsible for prosecut [...] |
2005-02-10 14:41:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID EINV KCOR PGOV KMCA MI |
| 05LILONGWE143 |
MALAWI CROP ESTIMATE: SHORTAGE COMING [...] (U) Malawi's first crop estimates show a shortage of over 20 percent in maize, due mainly to late distribution of fertilizer and a developing dry spell. Grain stocks are adequate for now, though the hunger season is now reaching its peak. If the crop is seriously impaired, it may begin to imp [...] |
2005-02-15 14:54:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KMCA EAGR ECON EAID PREL MI |
| 05LILONGWE146 |
BIODATA - MALAWI'S NEW MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS [...] 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 in [...] |
2005-02-16 14:10:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM PINR KMCA MI |
| 05LILONGWE15 |
A PLOT TO KILL MALAWI'S PRESIDENT? [...] (SBU) Three United Democratic Front officials were charged with treason on Wednesday for carrying guns to a meeting with President Bingu wa Mutharika. The Attorney General said authorities had information that some politicians had plotted to kill the president on January 2, 2004. By Thursda [...] |
2005-01-06 16:32:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV KDEM MI |
| 05LILONGWE152 |
PRESIDENT TO LAUNCH NEW PARTY; UDF DEFECTIONS [...] (U) Summary: President Mutharika intends to form a new political party called the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Mutharika has stated that, unlike his predecessor, he will not be involved in the administration of the party, but will only serve as its symbolic head. Meanwhile, the presid [...] |
2005-02-17 04:45:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM MI |
| 05LILONGWE16 |
UDF PARTY FRAGMENTATION LEADS TO VIOLENCE, [...] (U) SUMMARY. The expanding rift (reftel A) between President Mutharika and former President Muluzi, now chairman of the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF), has recently been punctuated by sporadic violence, allegedly by the UDF-affiliated Young Democrats. Members of the UDF known to be al [...] |
2005-01-10 09:28:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM PHUM MI |
| 05LILONGWE166 |
PRESIDENT PRESSES DEVELOPMENT AGENDA [...] Summary: President Mutharika last week launched a new series of regular meetings with donor heads of mission, and used the occasion to amplify his vision of Malawi's development. The president emphasized economic growth, rural development, performance evaluation, and the need to mobilize all [...] |
2005-02-22 14:31:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN EAID KMCA MI |
| 05LILONGWE17 |
THE UDF SPLIT: SOME POSSIBLE SCENARIOS [...] No summary [...] |
2005-01-10 10:07:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV KDEM MI |
| 05LILONGWE175 |
MALAWI UPDATE FOR PRESIDENT'S AGOA REPORT [...] Following is Embassy's update for the President's AGOA Report, as requested in reftel. Embassy has also submitted this update via e-mail to AF/EPS Mary Fleming. 2. Status: AGOA eligible, including for textile and apparel benefits. 3. AGOA Trade and Investment: Malawi's exports under AGO [...] |
2005-02-24 14:43:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD EFIN MI AGOA |
| 05LILONGWE177 |
MALAWI LOSES GARMENT MANUFACTURER [...] (U) SUMMARY: Haps Investments, one of Malawi's largest AGOA garment manufacturers, has ceased operations, putting over 2,000 employees out of work. The closure stems from the financial failure of the Taiwanese parent company, which apparently faltered as a result of losses suffered at its ope [...] |
2005-02-25 10:02:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD EIND MI AGOA BUD FIN |
| 05LILONGWE179 |
UDF OFFICIALS CRY FOUL, DEFEND PARTY [...] SUMMARY. In a February 17 meeting with the donor community, four United Democratic Front (UDF) officials lashed out bitterly against President Muthartika. The officials outlined the political hazards of Mutharika's new party, professed support for his anti-corruption efforts, and denied tha [...] |
2005-02-25 11:06:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM KCOR PHUM KMCA MI |
| 05LILONGWE187 |
2005 TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS REPORT - MALAWI [...] SUMMARY. Human trafficking was a new issue for the GOM in 2004. With the advent of increased awareness and a new government with a new approach to governance, the GOM has made significant efforts to understand and address TIP. The GOM has implemented a multi-year strategy to protect vulner [...] |
2005-03-02 07:33:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | KCRM PHUM KWMN ELAB SMIG ASEC KFRD PREF MI |
| 05LILONGWE188 |
NATIONAL ACTION GROUP [...] Summary: Over the past year, Malawi has seen a remarkable reversal in the level of importance the GOM has placed on the role of the private sector in contributing to economic growth and poverty reduction. Now, more than ever, the US Mission is uniquely positioned to contribute significantly to [...] |
2005-03-02 08:28:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID EAGR ECON EINV EFIN ETRD KMCA MI |
| 05LILONGWE198 |
IMF ON MALAWI: GOOD PERFORMANCE, BUT NO FUNDING YET [...] (SBU) In a mid-mission briefing earlier this week, an International Monetary Fund (IMF) team said Malawi has performed strongly since its November review (ref A) and has good prospects of continued good performance through the end of its fiscal year (end June). The mission was examining fisca [...] |
2005-03-02 14:28:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EAID PREL MI BUD FIN |
| 05LILONGWE202 |
DVC on MCA Threshold Program Gets Rave Reviews [...] Post wishes to thank all those in Washington who organized and participated in the March 1 digital video conference hosted by USAID Washington on the Millennium Challenge Account Threshold Program. The DVC received high-level participation here, and key MCC officials in Washington were able [...] |
2005-03-04 06:01:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID KMCA KPAO PGOV ECON MI |
| 05LILONGWE227 |
DEBT PROPOSAL A PLEASANT SURPRISE FOR MALAWI [...] (SBU) Over the past week, Embassy has discussed the relative merits of the U.S. and U.K. proposals for debt relief to poor countries (reftel) with senior Malawian officials in ministries of finance, foreign affairs, and economic planning. To a person, our interlocutors have been unaware of ev [...] |
2005-03-10 14:06:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN PREL EAID PA MI BUD FIN |
| 05LILONGWE259 |
GHOST STORY LANDS JOURNALISTS IN JAIL [...] Summary: Two Malawian journalists and an assistant to the Vice President were arrested March 15 over the publication of stories about ghosts in the presidential mansion in Lilongwe. The stories, perceived by the government to be an embarrassment, were carried on the BBC and international news [...] |
2005-03-16 14:58:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO PGOV MI PDEM |
| 05LILONGWE263 |
PRESIDENT MUTHARIKA REGISTERS NEW POLITICAL PARTY [...] President Mutharika quietly registered his newly formed political 2. COMMENT. The DPP was, until yesterday, the most talked about non GILMOUR [...] |
2005-03-18 11:20:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM MI |
| 05LILONGWE267 |
REACTION - WESTERN AID, LILONGWE [...] No summary [...] |
2005-03-22 04:42:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PTER ASEC KMDR KPAO MI |
| 05LILONGWE274 |
Journalists Charged with "Insulting President" [...] No summary [...] |
2005-03-22 15:27:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO PGOV MI PDEM |
| 05LILONGWE279 |
MEDIA REACTION - IRAQ, LILONGWE [...] "Short memories, rude awakenings" 2. The independent daily, "The Daily Times" of March 9, 2005, carried an opinion piece by one of Malawi's prominent writers, Jika Nkolokosa, on his regular "Take it or Leave it" Nkolokosa argues that people in Malawi don't get the truth from politicians. [...] |
2005-03-24 09:41:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PTER ASEC KMDR KPAO MI |
| 05LILONGWE282 |
MALAWI PAUSES ON FOOD CRISIS ACTION [...] (SBU) Malawi's president has recently softened his public stand on this year's food crisis and the government's likely reaction to it. From earlier indications, the GOM appeared to be set on a course of massive government-funded importation of maize for the commercial market. After several m [...] |
2005-03-29 06:32:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAGR ECON EFIN EINV MI |
| 05LILONGWE283 |
MALAWI KWACHA UNDER SPECULATIVE PRESSURE [...] (U) Malawi's banks are reporting a surge in demand for foreign currency. Experts attribute the surge to speculation that the GOM may devalue the currency as the tobacco auction starts on March 29 or shortly afterward. The governor of the central bank has given no clear signals, though it appe [...] |
2005-03-29 08:43:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN EINV ECON MI BUD FIN |
| 05LILONGWE284 |
IMPEACHMENT RUMORS NO THREAT TO MUTHARIKA - YET [...] SUMMARY. Members of Parliament (MPs) belonging to the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) reportedly plan to launch a bid to impeach President Bingu wa Mutharika, alleging that he violated the Constitution. While both parties might eventually bring a motion to i [...] |
2005-03-29 10:44:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM MI |
| 05LILONGWE299 |
PARLIAMENT FLEXES ITS MUSCLES [...] SUMMARY. The third session of the Malawi National Assembly since the May 2004 elections opened at the New State House in Lilongwe on March 30. In the opening session, Parliament rejected the President's nominee for Inspector General of Police. Party alliances were not clearly spelled out, a [...] |
2005-04-05 12:29:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM MI |
| 05LILONGWE302 |
PREACHING FREE MARKETS IN MALAWI [...] Over the past several months, Mission Lilongwe's economic team has undertaken a concerted effort to promote the virtues of free markets among Malawi's key decision makers. The country has made halfhearted efforts toward market reforms in recent years, and the new president is pressing a pro-gr [...] |
2005-04-06 11:23:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV ECON EFIN EAID EAGR KMCA MI |
| 05LILONGWE308 |
REQUEST FOR U.S. SPEAKER ON OUTREACH TO MUSLIM [...] No summary [...] |
2005-04-11 05:45:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO OIIP SCUL MI |
| 05LILONGWE331 |
MALAWI TOBACCO SELLING AGAIN [...] Malawi's tobacco auction floor reopened on March 12 after being closed for a week and a half in a dispute over prices. While the negotiated base price is an improvement over last season's closing price, the size of the crop is estimated to be down nearly 20 percent from last year's. Large left [...] |
2005-04-18 05:46:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN EAGR ECON MI |
| 05LILONGWE333 |
MUTHARIKA LAUNCHES NEW PARTY [...] Summary: President Mutharika has launched his new party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). The party platform is essentially the same as that of his government, stressing development, anti-corruption, and law and order. End summary. 2. In a raucous and colorful four-hour rally in Lil [...] |
2005-04-18 10:43:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM MI |
| 05LILONGWE338 |
MUTHARIKA DEFIANT ON JOURNALISTS' ARREST [...] Summary: President Mutharika has defended the recent arrest of two journalists for publishing stories about ghosts in the presidential mansion. Although the two were released on bail after two days, charges of ridiculing the president have not been dropped and the case remains in the judicial [...] |
2005-04-20 13:03:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM KPAO MI |
| 05LILONGWE341 |
MALAWI SCORES FIRST BIG CORRUPTION WIN [...] The mayor of Blantyre, Malawi's largest city, was convicted of theft yesterday. The Blantyre Magistrate's Court sentenced John Chikakwiya to three years in prison for stealing MK400,000 ($3,700) of funds solicited from a local merchant for city road repairs. This is the first conviction of a [...] |
2005-04-21 06:11:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON KCOR PREL KMCA MI |
| 05LILONGWE345 |
MEDIA REACTION - IRAQ, LILONGWE [...] "Talabani and the Greatness of the Kurdish Soul" 2. The independent daily, "The Daily Times" of April 20, 2005, carried an opinion piece by one of Malawi's prominent writers, Jika Nkolokosa, in his regular column "Take it or Leave it". Nkolokosa writes that world leaders achieve great [...] |
2005-04-21 10:22:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR KDEM KPAO MI |
| 05LILONGWE346 |
MULUZI ARREST POSSIBLE WITHIN WEEKS [...] Summary: A Western diplomat who recently met with Malawi attorney general Ralph Kasambara has told us that the Mutharika government could arrest former president Muluzi by the end of May. The AG is said to be working on three principal corruption-related charges. End summary. 2. A Western [...] |
2005-04-21 13:05:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM MI PGOV |
| 05LILONGWE348 |
IMF MALAWI PROGRAM DEPENDS ON FOOD SOLUTION [...] (U) As the IMF's team comes to negotiate a new program for Malawi, it is clear that the central issue is food. The poor crop is expected to lower GDP to 0-2 percent, and food-driven inflation is already rising. The need for humanitarian relief has become clear, and one of the main points to b [...] |
2005-04-22 11:21:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN EINV ECON MI |
| 05LILONGWE36 |
FY04 DHRF SUMMARY REPORT - MALAWI [...] Post submits the following information for Democracy and Human Rights Fund (DHRF) activities in FY03 and FY 04. All activities prior to FY03 have been completed and closed out. 2. FY 03 Projects Project Obligated Unliq. Balance DHRF-03-612-01 $15,000 $4,0 [...] |
2005-01-13 14:58:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | KDEM PGOV EAID PHUM MI |
| 05LILONGWE364 |
FLOOR-CROSSING AMENDMENT ON PARLIAMENT'S AGENDA [...] SUMMARY. On April 12 the National Assembly passed a motion accepting the introduction of an amendment to Section 65 of the constitution at the next sitting of Parliament. Section 65 defines what constitutes "crossing the floor", or switching political parties, in the National Assembly. The [...] |
2005-04-28 14:29:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM MI |
| 05LILONGWE398 |
THE REHABILITATION OF HASTINGS BANDA [...] SUMMARY. President Bingu wa Mutharika's quest to create a political base after leaving the United Democratic Front has coincided with the growing nostalgia among Malawians for the era of Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda. The failures of former president Muluzi's decade in power have directly result [...] |
2005-05-11 06:58:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM SOCI MI |
| 05LILONGWE402 |
SUCCESS OF AN ARV PROGRAM: IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT [...] Summary: Malawi has been making remarkable progress in the roll-out of its Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM) funded Anti-Retroviral (ARV) Program. It appears that treatment goals will be met and testing goals exceeded. Some government officials are now asking why Malawi cannot r [...] |
2005-05-11 12:45:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | KHIV EAID SOCI TBIO ECON PGOV MI HIV AIDS |
| 05LILONGWE406 |
IMF ON MALAWI: STRONG PERFORMANCE, BUT RISK AHEAD [...] (C) Following a recent visit from the IMF's country team, the Resident Representative confirms that fiscal performance was strong in the last quarter, despite much weaker than expected donor inflows. The IMF and GOM have reached a tentative agreement for a new Poverty Reduction and Growth Fac [...] |
2005-05-13 10:36:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN EINV ECON MI |
| 05LILONGWE416 |
REFUGEE SERVICES IN MALAWI: AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE [...] SUMMARY. The 2004 Ambassador's Fund for Refugees grant is currently being implemented in Malawi, despite several obstacles and an uncertain future for refugee services in the country. The closure of one of Malawi's two camps and even a possible cessation of services for Rwandese refugees ar [...] |
2005-05-17 11:34:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PREF PHUM EAID MI |
| 05LILONGWE421 |
MEDIA REACTION - GUANTANAMO, LILONGWE [...] "Watch what you say: words can be deadly weapons" 2. The independent daily, "The Times" of May 18, 2005, carried an opinion piece by one of Malawi's prominent journalists, Jika Nkolokosa, on his regular column "Take it or Leave it". Nkolokosa chides Newsweek for the purported desecration [...] |
2005-05-19 05:01:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | KISL KPAO MI |
| 05LILONGWE438 |
EDUCATION MINISTER ARRESTED FOR CORRUPTION [...] On May 17 President Bingu wa Mutharika fired Education Minister Yusuf Mwawa after Mwawa was charged with using government funds for his own wedding reception. Earlier that day, Mwawa was arrested and charged on four counts: theft by a public servant, forgery, altering an official document, an [...] |
2005-05-23 08:42:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM KCOR MI |
| 05LILONGWE447 |
RURAL LOAN PROGRAM ENDANGERS MICROFINANCE SECTOR [...] Summary: Against the advice of donors and banking experts, the GOM has launched a controversial rural loan program with subsidized interest rates, administered by a state-owned bank that has no experience in microfinance. The U.S. and other donors have expressed our concerns, but the GOM is de [...] |
2005-05-26 06:33:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV ECON EFIN EAID EAGR KMCA MI BUD FIN |
| 05LILONGWE448 |
GOVERNMENT CLOSES FINANCE BANK OF MALAWI [...] (U) In a move that took the Malawian business community by surprise, the GOM revoked the license of Finance Bank of Malawi (FBM) and closed the bank without warning on May 19. In public statements, the GOM has said the bank was regularly violating the country's banking regulations. GOM sources [...] |
2005-05-26 09:50:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN KCOR KMCA EINV PREL MI BUD FIN |
| 05LILONGWE452 |
FAMILY AND FRIENDS: NEPOTISM IN THE MUTHARIKA [...] (C) SUMMARY. President Mutharika has placed relatives in key government positions as he struggles to build a political base for himself and his party. The president's cousin is serving as head of the Public Service, and two adult daughters have been appointed to positions in State House. Mut [...] |
2005-05-27 07:57:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM MI |
| 05LILONGWE457 |
PRESIDENT MUTHARIKA'S FIRST YEAR IN POWER [...] SUMMARY: Bingu wa Mutharika's first year as President of Malawi has seen ups and downs. The questionable nature of the May 2004 presidential election created an unsettled political atmosphere that would have tested any president. His inaugural speech generated hope with its emphasis on the [...] |
2005-05-31 14:47:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM KCOR ECON KPAO MI |
| 05LILONGWE46 |
CONTACT NUMBERS FOR KEY OFFICIALS - MALAWI [...] POST SUBMITS THE FOLLOWING CONTACT INFORMATION FOR KEY GOVERNMENT OF MALAWI OFFICIALS. RESPONSE IS KEYED TO REFTEL PARAGRAPH 5. COUNTRY: REPUBLIC OF MALAWI DATE: 01/18/2005 HEAD OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT LAST NAME: Mutharika FIRST/MIDDLE NAMES: Bingu CONVENTIONAL USAGE: Dr. Bingu wa M [...] |
2005-01-18 16:11:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PINR PREL MI |
| 05LILONGWE49 |
RULING PARTY GAINS IN BY-ELECTIONS [...] Official results released by the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) on Thursday indicate that the eight By- Elections held on Tuesday January 12 resulted in a gain of six Parliamentary seats for the governing United Democratic Front (UDF) and its allies. The UDF picked up two seats, while two [...] |
2005-01-18 16:14:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM MI |
| 05LILONGWE496 |
MALAWI REOPENS FINANCE BANK [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Finance Bank of Malawi was allowed to reopen under Reserve Bank curatorship. The bank is experiencing a mild run, as Reserve Bank imposed restrictions curb withdrawals for the moment. With Finance Bank's shady customer base, liquidation seems a more likely outcome than a recov [...] |
2005-06-10 11:01:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ETTC EINV ECON MI BUD FIN |
| 05LILONGWE506 |
MALAWI BUDGET DEBATE BEGINS [...] (SBU) Malawi's finance minister presented the FY 2005/06 budget on June 10 to open parliamentary debate. The budget includes a sharply lower deficit, some paydown of both domestic debt and government arrears, and line items for food security and a fertilizer subsidy. While opposition is thre [...] |
2005-06-16 06:42:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EAID EFIN MI BUD FIN |
| 05LILONGWE507 |
MALAWI ADOPTS U.S. TAX RECOMMENDATIONS IN BUDGET [...] (SBU) In presenting the draft budget to Parliament on 10 June, Malawi's finance minister proposed several tax reforms which follow recommendations made by U.S. Treasury experts. The changes include a higher floor and simpler structure for personal income tax, lower excise rates on most imports, [...] |
2005-06-16 06:43:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON EINV EAID MI BUD FIN |
| 05LILONGWE508 |
MALAWI IMPEACHMENT RUMORS SWIRL [...] (C) Long-standing rumors of an impeachment attempt in Parliament have gained some credibility recently. The President's former party is said to be ready to bring the issue to the floor soon, and the President's office is canvassing diplomatic missions for legal help. At this point, the main [...] |
2005-06-16 12:22:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ECON KDEM PGOV KCOR MI |
| 05LILONGWE509 |
MALAWI: POST RECOMMENDATIONS ON GLOBAL FUND PHASE 2 [...] (U) Malawi 2. (U) Grant No: MLW-102-G01-H-00 Phase 1 amount: $41,751,500.00 Phase 2 amount requested in proposal: $155 million 3. (SBU) Overall Comments/Recommendations: Post recommends funding Malawi's Phase II, HIV/AIDS proposal at the levels requested. However, approval of Phase II [...] |
2005-06-16 14:48:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID KHIV SOCI TBIO MI HIV AIDS |
| 05LILONGWE514 |
MALAWI DISASTER DECLARATION FOR SLOW ONSET FOOD [...] In a letter dated June 1, 2005, the Government of Malawi formally requested food aid assistance from the USG. This request follows the recent release of Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee results for the May 2005 to April 2006 marketing year that indicate e significant unmet food aid n [...] |
2005-06-17 08:28:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON EAGR MI |
| 05LILONGWE515 |
MALAWI SUGAR QUOTA FOR REST OF FY05 [...] Per reftel, econoff has spoken with Illovo Sugar of Malawi regarding additional sugar shipments before the end of FY05. Malawi intends to ship an additional 580 metric tons before September 30. This will leave a balance of 324 MT against Malawi's total quota of 10,530 for FY05. Malawi request [...] |
2005-06-17 08:30:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | EAGR ETRD ECON MI |
| 05LILONGWE539 |
REQUEST FOR PEPFAR GUIDANCE [...] Malawi is one of the USG Missions receiving more than $10 million in USG funding for HIV/AIDS programs. We understand that Malawi and other posts in the "over $10 million" category will have new reporting requirements, but to date we have not received any formal notification from OGAC/State o [...] |
2005-06-24 10:38:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID KHIV SOCI MI HIV AIDS |
| 05LILONGWE540 |
SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT COLLAPSES DURING IMPEACHMENT [...] (C) Summary: The Speaker of Parliament collapsed on the House floor on June 23 as MPs debated procedures for possible Presidential impeachment. He was then taken to the hospital, stabilized, and then flown to South Africa. Parliament has been indefinitely suspended, and it is unclear who will [...] |
2005-06-24 10:45:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON KCOR KDEM PGOV PREL MI |
| 05LILONGWE541 |
UNHCR, GOM MARK WORLD REFUGEE DAY, KEEP CAMPS OPEN [...] UNHCR, in coordination with the Government of Malawi (GOM), held a day-long event to mark World Refugee Day. Guests from the GOM, the Diplomatic Corps, and NGOs were provided a comprehensive overview and tour at the Dzaleka camp just north of Lilongwe. The event focused on this year's theme, [...] |
2005-06-24 10:46:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PREF PHUM PGOV EAID MI |
| 05LILONGWE542 |
REQUEST FOR PEPFAR GUIDANCE [...] Malawi is one of the USG Missions receiving more than $10 million in USG funding for HIV/AIDS programs. We understand that Malawi and other posts in the "over $10 million" category will have new reporting requirements, but to date we have not received any formal notification from OGAC/State o [...] |
2005-06-27 05:33:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID KHIV SOCI MI HIV AIDS |
| 05LILONGWE555 |
SPEAKER DIES AS PRESIDENT BLASTS OPPOSITION [...] (U) Summary: The Speaker of Parliament passed away late on June 27, after suffering a heart attack on the house floor on June 23. This comes as the President, along with various community groups, is blaming the opposition parties for the Speaker's condition, as well as Parliament's delay in pa [...] |
2005-06-28 14:42:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON KCOR KDEM PGOV PREL MI |
| 05LILONGWE564 |
MALAWIAN MILITARY'S ROLE IN CURRENT POLITICAL [...] No summary [...] |
2005-06-29 14:41:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | KCOR KDEM PGOV PREL MI POL MIL |
| 05LILONGWE577 |
PARLIAMENT RECONVENES TO FOCUS ON BUDGET [...] Parliament reconvened on Thursday, July 7, to focus on passing the budget for 2005/06. This is the first meeting of Parliament since the late Speaker collapsed on the floor of the House on June 23 during debate over Presidential impeachment procedures. MPs seemed focused on addressing the bu [...] |
2005-07-07 14:47:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIN KDEM PREL PGOV KCOR MI BUD FIN |
| 05LILONGWE579 |
PRESIDENT MUTHARIKA'S LEADERSHIP STYLE [...] Despite a year of solid success in imposing discipline on government spending and launching a strong anti-corruption campaign, President Mutharika has been frustrated in his reform agenda by an increasingly militant opposition and a weak civil service. A series of negative media stories has p [...] |
2005-07-08 09:20:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM KMCA MI |
| 05LILONGWE596 |
MALAWI LOSES MORE GARMENT JOBS [...] CHIRIMBA GARMENTS COMPANY IN BLANTYRE ANNOUNCED ON JULY 11TH IT IS LAYING OFF OF 860 WORKERS DUE TO A CONTINUED DECLINE IN ORDERS UNDER THE AGOA INITIATIVE. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF WORKERS LAID OFF AT CHIRIMBA SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR IS 1,500. MANAGEMENT SAYS THAT NUMBER WILL CONTINUE T [...] |
2005-07-12 14:05:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD EFIN MI AGOA |
| 05LILONGWE598 |
USING CULTURE TO COMBAT HIV/AIDS [...] Summary: Using a $6,000 travel grant, Public Affairs invited Dr. Jack Allison to return to Malawi June 3 to participate in a three-week speaker program entitled "Using Music to Combat HIV/AIDS." Dr. Allison served as a PCV from 1966-68 and became famous in Malawi for using music to deliver h [...] |
2005-07-13 12:14:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO OEXC SCUL KSEP MI IIP HIV AIDS |
| 05LILONGWE606 |
PARLIAMENT PASSES BUDGET; INCREASES FERTILIZER [...] Parliament passed the 2005/06 budget on July 15th, after amending it to include a larger and universal fertilizer subsidy. Government met opposition demands by increasing the fertilizer subsidy by 2.6 billion Kwatcha ($21.4 million US). They did so by cutting a number of ministry budgets, whil [...] |
2005-07-18 07:17:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON EFIN PGOV MI BUD FIN |
| 05LILONGWE614 |
GOVERNMENT PASSES OPPOSITION TEST IN PARLIAMENT [...] (SBU) A controversial constitutional ammendment (reftel) supported by the full force of both opposition parties was rejected in Parliament on July 19th. The bill would have forced MPs who change parties to give up their seats in Parliament. The bill had the full support of the opposition, an [...] |
2005-07-20 11:36:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | KCOR KDEM PGOV PREL MI |
| 05LILONGWE634 |
PARLIAMENT ADJOURNS; IMPEACHMENT MOTIONS PUT OFF [...] SUMMARY: (U) Parliament adjourned Thursday July 22 after passing the 2005/06 budget, electing a new Speaker, and addressing other legislative issues. Parliament did not, however, address the impeachment procedure bill that had been tabled before the they temporarily adjourned on June 23 (Reft [...] |
2005-07-26 13:27:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | KDEM PGOV PINR PREL TBIO MI |
| 05LILONGWE649 |
PRESIDENT RESHUFFLES CABINET; SIDELINES [...] (SBU) Summary: President Mutharika has reorganized his Cabinet, removing the portfolio of Vice-President Chilumpha and demoting the Minister of Information. The President also fired the Minister of Mines and the Environment, promoted the Minister of Home Affairs to Minister of Agriculture, an [...] |
2005-08-01 14:48:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON KCOR KDEM PGOV PREL TBIO MI |
| 05LILONGWE696 |
MALAWI TOBACCO SHUT DOWN OVER PRICES [...] Frustrated over low prices at Malawi's state-controlled auction floors, smallholder tobacco farmers have closed down the auctions for the sixth time this season. In the past two weeks, Malawi's president and parliament have joined the fray, accusing international buyers of price collusion and [...] |
2005-08-16 12:47:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | EAGR ETRD EINV ECON MI |
| 05LILONGWE709 |
MALAWI TELECOM PRIVATIZATION ON HOLD [...] (C) The GOM has suspended the privatization of Malawi's parastatal telecommunications monopoly at the last moment. The privatization is a condition of two large World Bank programs in Malawi. The President apparently made the decision out of fear that the privatized company might sabotage sta [...] |
2005-08-18 10:31:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV ECPS KPRV PGOV PREL MI |
| 05LILONGWE738 |
(C) MUTHARIKA ON REFORM AND POLITICS [...] (U) SUMMARY: AMBASSADOR PRESENTED CREDENTIALS TO PRESIDENT BINGU WA MUTHARIKA ON AUGUST 25, 2005. DURING THE TRADITIONAL ONE-ON-ONE CONVERSATION AFTER THE FORMAL CEREMONY, PRESIDENT MUTHARIKA EXPOUNDED AT LENGTH ON HIS PROGRAM (SELF-RELIANCE) AND MALAWI POLITICS (STALEMATED IN PARLIAMENT), [...] |
2005-08-26 09:56:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KMCA EAID MI |
| 05LILONGWE74 |
UNHCR SURVEY REVEALS LOWER NUMBER OF REFUGEES IN [...] (U) United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) resident representative Michael Owor told CDA in a January 20 courtesy call that the recent verification of refugee populations in Malawi (reftel A) has been completed. The exercise, which was a pilot program, has apparently been succe [...] |
2005-01-25 07:41:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PREF PHUM MI |
| 05LILONGWE744 |
MEDIA REACTION - INTERNATIONAL AID, [...] "Bush Touches Desperate Souls" 2. The independent daily, "The Daily Times" of August 24, 2005, carried a full page story/opinion piece by Malawian journalist, Isaac Masingati. Masingati hails the newly launched Ambassador's Girls Scholarship Program as a key to easing underprivileged gi [...] |
2005-08-30 05:05:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR KOCI KPAO MI |
| 05LILONGWE748 |
MEDIA REACTION - IRAQ, LILONGWE [...] "Come to the rescue now" 2. The independent weekly, "Malawi News" of August 27, carried an opinion piece by prominent journalist/editor, Jika Nkolokosa, in his regular column "All I can say". Nkolokosa blames the world for a belated intervention to stop atrocities Saddam Hussein committ [...] |
2005-08-31 14:20:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR KPAO PTER MI |
| 05LILONGWE750 |
SACHS AND FERTILIZER IN MALAWI [...] (C) The UNDP's recently issued Flash Alert on Malawi's food crisis contains a plan for providing free fertilizer and seed for 2 million farmers this growing season. The plan has received practically no support among local agriculture and food experts in Malawi, for reasons that Embassy views a [...] |
2005-08-31 14:43:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | EAGR ECON EAID MI |
| 05LILONGWE761 |
PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES NEW US AMBASSADOR AND OTHER [...] (SBU) On Monday, September 5, President Mutharika announced a number of new diplomatic appointments in the Malawian Foreign Service. Topping the list is the appointment of Francis Moto, former Principal at Chancellor College, as Ambassador to the U.S. This is the first that the Embassy has h [...] |
2005-09-06 14:54:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | KDEM MI PGOV TBIO |
| 05LILONGWE773 |
PRESIDENT FIRES SENIOR MINISTER, WEAKENS [...] (SBU) Summary: Irrigation and Water Development Minister Gwanda Chakuamba, one of the most powerful politicians in Malawi, has left the government. As a head of a governing coalition partner, he could take some of the 15 MPs from his Republican Party (RP) out of government with him,further we [...] |
2005-09-08 14:56:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PGOV TBIO MI |
| 05LILONGWE888 |
MALAWI SENTENCES CHILD TRAFFICKERS TO SEVEN [...] (U) SUMMARY. ON SEPTEMBER 24, A MALAWIAN COURT SENTENCED THREE MEN TO SEVEN YEARS IMPRISONMENT WITH HARD LABOR FOR KIDNAPPING. ALTHOUGH MALAWI HAS YET TO ADOPT SPECIFIC TRAFFICKING LEGISLATION, THERE IS GROWING AWARENESS OF THE ISSUE AMONG THE COUNTRY'S LEADERS AND CIVIL SOCIETY. THE SENTENC [...] |
2005-10-11 11:50:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM ELAB PGOV PREL ZA MI |
| 05LILONGWE906 |
AL QAIDA MADE ME DO IT: GONDWE'S TALL STORY ON [...] (U) In the midst of a raucous parliamentary debate on October 12 over the food and fertilizer situation in Malawi, Finance Minister Goodall Gondwe was asked to explain delays in getting fertilizer imported and distributed to depots around the country. He said the GOM had sealed a fertilizer d [...] |
2005-10-13 14:57:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN PTER EAID MI |
| 05LILONGWE913 |
MALAWI SITUATION REPORT AND FY 2006 DISASTER [...] This cable re-declares a disaster for FY 2006 in Malawi due to food insecurity and provides an update on the situation. Per reftel, it is estimated that over four million Malawians (more than one-third of the population) will be unable to meet their food needs over the next six months, until [...] |
2005-10-19 13:36:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON EAGR MI |
| 05LILONGWE914 |
PARLIAMENT ADOPTS IMPEACHMENT PROCEDURES [...] (SBU) Summary: On October 18, Malawi,s Parliament adopted procedures which provide the framework for the possible impeachment of President Mutharika. The opposition's next step will be to propose a constitutional amendment to establish a National Governing Council, which would make a major cha [...] |
2005-10-19 15:31:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PREL PGOV MI |
| 05LILONGWE924 |
MODEST IMPROVEMENT TO MALAWI'S MICROLENDING FUND [...] (SBU) The GOM recently responded to concerns about its new microfinance program by announcing that it was offering something slightly closer to commercially viable interest rates. The program has been the subject of heated political debate, on the assumption that the loans will be political h [...] |
2005-10-25 05:26:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN EINV MI |
| 05LILONGWE927 |
MALAWI CONTINUES STRONG FISCAL PERFORMANCE [...] (U) The Reserve Bank of Malawi recently published its mid-year economic and fiscal report, showing strong performance across the board. Higher than projected domestic revenue and sharply lower expenditures compensated for lower revenues from external grants. Macroeconomic performance at the [...] |
2005-10-25 05:26:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EINV EFIN MI |
| 05LILONGWE930 |
MALAWI ANTI-CORRUPTION UPDATE [...] (SBU) In a recent conference with Malawi's Anti-Corruption Bureau, director Gustave Kaliwo described the status of his agency's new and ongoing prosecutions. Three new cases are significant: the upcoming deposition of former president Bakili Muluzi in an investigation against him, and the rece [...] |
2005-10-25 09:41:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV KCOR EINV KHLS MI |
| 05LILONGWE932 |
HIGH COURT PUTS INJUNCTION ON PRESIDENTIAL [...] (SBU) Summary: The High Court issued an injunction against the Presidential impeachment procedures over the weekend. This came after a notice of indictment of the President was presented in Parliament on Friday, October 21. The Speaker had accepted the notice, and summoned President Muthari [...] |
2005-10-25 14:55:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PREL MI |
| 05LILONGWE946 |
SUBSIDIES WORSEN MALAWI'S FOOD SHORTAGE [...] (SBU) In a year marked by severe shortages of food and fertilizer, it is increasingly clear that the government's interventions in these commodities have considerably deepened the crisis. The current shortage of maize is in part a result of the GOM's insistence on selling subsidized maize thr [...] |
2005-11-02 13:24:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINV EAGR EAID MI |
| 05LILONGWE971 |
GOVERNMENT HITS BACK AT IMPEACHMENT SUPPORTERS [...] (SBU) A number of opposition politicians have been arrested over the past two weeks in retaliation for their support of the effort to impeachment President Mutharika. While the arrests are apparently for legitimate crimes, the President has openly admitted that the arrests a "tit for tat" res [...] |
2005-11-09 13:50:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | MI PGOV KPOL |
| 05LILONGWE977 |
VICE-PREZ ASSERTS HIMSELF, VERBALLY ATTACKS [...] (SBU) Malawi's Vice-President has stepped out from the shadows over the past few weeks, criticizing Mutharika's policies and taking sides in the ongoing conflict between the president and the opposition. VP Cassim Chilumpha, who has maintained his links to the opposition United Democratic Fro [...] |
2005-11-14 13:44:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | KDEM PGOV MI |
| 05LILONGWE981 |
VICE PRESIDENT ARRESTED, CHARGED WITH CORRUPTION [...] (C) Vice President Cassim Chilumpha was placed under house arrest on the evening of November 15 on corruption charges . He will appear in court on Monday, November 21 to face charges in Lilongwe. The timing of the arrest is clearly politically motivated, coming after the VP had attacked gover [...] |
2005-11-16 13:31:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PGOV MI |
| 05LILONGWE994 |
IMF MALAWI REVIEW: ANOTHER GOOD QUARTER [...] (SBU) The IMF's country team today delivered its first quarterly review of Malawi's new Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF). Malawi has met substantially all of its targets, although it appears headed to miss its net asset target next month. The IMF is recommending a looser foreign [...] |
2005-11-22 11:52:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN EINV MI |
| 05PRETORIA2175 |
SOUTH AFRICAN URANIUM PRODUCTION [...] (U) South Africa is ranked fourth in world uranium reserves and tenth in uranium production. In 2004, all uranium production came from AngloGold Ashanti's Vaal River mine and dump treatment operations. Currently, South Africa has two concentration plants,both owned by AngloGold Ashanti,that p [...] |
2005-06-02 15:09:00 | Embassy Pretoria | UNCLASSIFIED | EMIN ENRG TRGY PARM KNNP EIND ECON MI NG WA ZA SF DRC |
| 05ROME3782 |
USUN ROME TRIP REPORT SOUTHERN AFRICA OCTOBER [...] (SBU/NOFORN) Summary. Between October 13 and 20 Michael Cleverley, DCM for USUN Rome and Richard Newberg, USAID Humanitarian Affairs Attach traveled to southern Zambia and central and southern Malawi on a fact-finding mission. The purpose of the trip was to witness the operations of WFP and F [...] |
2005-11-16 11:58:00 | Embassy Rome | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MI SF ZA WFP FAO |
| 06BUCHAREST1808 |
STABILITY PACT MEETINGS IN BUCHAREST FOCUS ON [...] (SBU) The November 15-16 meetings in Bucharest of the Stability Pact for South East Europe saw continued progress toward shifting the Pact's program of regional cooperation initiatives to the responsibility of regional governments under the umbrella of the South East Europe Cooperation Proces [...] |
2006-12-04 13:43:00 | Embassy Bucharest | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON ETRD EUN PREL BK BU GR HR MD MI |
| 06LILONGWE100 |
Country Clearance granted ACOTA- Malawi [...] American Embassy Lilongwe grants country clearance and welcomes the visit of the following ACOTA representatives, to Malawi for the purpose of conducting ACOTA training on February 3-26, 2006. Control Officer for the visit will be the Political/Military Officer Tyler Sparks, Office telephone n [...] |
2006-02-02 12:25:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | MARR ASEC OTRA MI |
| 06LILONGWE1001 |
MALAWI TO SUPPORT US INTERNATIONAL LAW COMMISSION [...] (SBU) Poloff spoke with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director of Political Affairs Paul Chiunguzeni on November 16 to follow up on the points delivered in reftel B. Chiunguzeni confirmed that the GOM will support Michael Matheson, the U.S. candidate for the International Law Commission. Chiung [...] |
2006-11-16 12:04:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | IO PGOV MI |
| 06LILONGWE1004 |
DEMARCHE REQUEST: NOVEMBER 17 EMERGENCY SPECIAL [...] Poloff met with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director of Political Affairs Paul Chiunguzeni on November 17 to discuss reftel talking points. Chiunguzeni responded positively, but said that he had to consult within the Ministry before making a final decision and sending instructions to New York. [...] |
2006-11-17 09:11:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL UNGA IO MI |
| 06LILONGWE104 |
MALAWI TELECOM PRIVATIZED--FOR REAL [...] (U) After last-minute delays in December and January, the privatization of Malawi Telecommunications Ltd. is finally going through. The buyer, Telecommunications Holdings Ltd., put down a $1 million earnest-money deposit last week and has followed that with $10 million more this week. The tot [...] |
2006-02-03 07:52:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EINV ECPS ECON MI |
| 06LILONGWE1040 |
IMET Students: Post Human Rights Certification [...] Lt. Ngatwali MWANJA, Service no. 0952, Second BN Malawi Rifles Unit, Military police, International Student Detachment School, Ft. Leonard wood MO11 Dec 2006 Q 11 May 2007 2. Lt. Mjanike NUNDWE, Service no. 0945, Cobbe Barracks, Military police, International Student Detachment School, Ft. L [...] |
2006-11-30 06:05:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL MASS MI |
| 06LILONGWE1048 |
WRANGLE OVER FLOOR-CROSSING LAW LEAVES PARLIAMENT IN LIMBO [...] (SBU) Summary: Malawi's Constitutional Court has ruled that President Mutharika cannot appeal its advisory opinion on the controversial "floor-crossing" law. The ruling puts the ball firmly in the hands of the Speaker of Parliament, who could use the opinion to declare vacant the seats of over [...] |
2006-12-01 10:36:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM KCOR MI |
| 06LILONGWE1076 |
IMET Students: Human Rights Certification and vetting [...] No summary [...] |
2006-12-13 07:54:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | MARR MASS PGOV PHUM MI |
| 06LILONGWE1095 |
VICE-PRESIDENT'S TREASON CASE: NO END IN SIGHT [...] (SBU) Summary: Eight months after his arrest for allegedly conspiring to assassinate President Mutharika, Vice President Cassim Chilumpha still awaits the start of his trial. The GOM has only allowed the defense limited access to evidence, and the very long delays in the case have provoked lit [...] |
2006-12-20 14:12:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM MI |
| 06LILONGWE1101 |
IMET Students: Post Human Rights Certification [...] 2LT Alexious F. KACHENJE, Service number 0988, Cobbe Barracks unit, Air Traffic Controller course, Keesler AFB, MS, 29 Dec 06 - 16 Apr 07 2. Lt. Thokozani Andrew CHAZEMA, Service number 0859, Military Intelligence unit, Combined strategic Intelligence course, Defense Intelligence Agency, W [...] |
2006-12-22 05:23:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL MASS MI |
| 06LILONGWE113 |
ACOTA TRAINING SUCCESSFULLY BEGINS [...] The African Contingency Operations and Assistance (ACOTA) Program began a three week training in Malawi on Monday, February 6. A total of 946 Malawi Defense Force (MDF) soldiers--46 officers and 900 enlisted men--reported for training on the first day. The training will cover various peace-k [...] |
2006-02-06 17:08:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | KDEM PGOV MI |
| 06LILONGWE114 |
IMET Students: Post Human Rights Certification [...] SGT Trecefory Aaron KALIMBA, Service No. 11838, Marine Unit, Patro OPS River Environment Course, Stennis Space Center MS 39529-7099, Feb April 27, 2006 2. LCPL Hilton Francis TENGULA, Service No. 13010, Marine Unit, Patro Craft prop sys OVH Course, Stennis Space Center MS 39529-7099, Feb. 1 [...] |
2006-02-07 11:12:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL MASS MI |
| 06LILONGWE115 |
MALAWI'S CENTRAL BANKERS ANXIOUS ABOUT IMF MISSION [...] (C) Despite fiscal performance that has been described as "impressive" over the past year, Malawi's central bankers are nervous about the upcoming quarterly review from the IMF's country team. At recent visits with the Reserve Bank of Malawi's (RBM) Governor Victor Mbewe and general manager W [...] |
2006-02-07 11:30:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN ECON MI |
| 06LILONGWE118 |
FORMER GOVT. MINISTER CONVICTED ON CORRUPTION [...] (SBU) Summary: In the first conviction against a senior official in President Mutharika's administration, former Education Minister Yusuf Mwawa has been found guilty on four counts of fraud and corruption. Mwawa was arrested, and then fired by the President, after he paid for his $1,500 weddin [...] |
2006-02-08 08:58:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM KCOR MI |
| 06LILONGWE120 |
Country Clearance granted [...] American Embassy Lilongwe grants country clearance and welcomes the visit of Major Andrew Overfield to Malawi for the purpose of facilitating EUCOM Acquisition Cross Servicing Agreement negotiations and to observe ACOTA PSO field training from February 12-18, 2006. Control Officer for the visi [...] |
2006-02-08 11:54:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS MARR PREL OTRA MI |
| 06LILONGWE121 |
Country Clearance granted [...] American Embassy Lilongwe grants country clearance and welcomes the visit of LTC. Leon Mitchell Grube and Mr. Gunter Dieter Filippucci to Malawi for the purpose of conducting EUCOM Acquisition Cross Servicing Agreement briefings, discussions and negotiations from February 13-17, 2006. Control [...] |
2006-02-08 12:54:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS MARR PREL OTRA MI |
| 06LILONGWE123 |
ESF PROPOSAL FOR ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS PROJECT [...] Lilongwe submits the following proposal for funding under ESF. This proposal is first priority, ranked above a separate INCLE-funded proposal that is being submitted septel. Proposal format is keyed to ref A, para 21. A. Establishment and dissemination of information regarding trafficking [...] |
2006-02-08 16:19:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | KWMN KCRM PHUM ASEC EAID ELAB PREL SMIG MI |
| 06LILONGWE124 |
STREET VENDORS RIOT OVER REGULATION [...] (SBU) Summary: Hundreds of street vendors rioted in the capital city of Lilongwe on February 7, protesting the arrest of their trade association boss and government orders to move into organized fee-charging market areas. Using tear gas, police attempted to quell the vendors by pushing them o [...] |
2006-02-08 16:30:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM ECON KCOR MI |
| 06LILONGWE125 |
INCLE PROPOSAL FOR ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS [...] Lilongwe submits the following proposal for funding under INCLE. This proposal is second priority, ranked below a separate ESF-funded proposal that is being submitted septel. Proposal format is keyed to ref A, para 21. A. Establishment of a Regulatory Framework to prohibit trafficking in p [...] |
2006-02-08 16:36:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | KWMN KCRM PHUM ASEC EAID ELAB PREL SMIG MI |
| 06LILONGWE127 |
MALAWI TRIES NEW TOBACCO MARKETING SCHEME [...] (U) At the insistence of the World Bank, the GOM has announced plans to take a baby step toward liberalizing its state-controlled tobacco market this season. The Tobacco Control Commission will establish three local commodity exchanges as an experimental alternative to the sale of tobacco thr [...] |
2006-02-09 13:53:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAGR ECON ETRD MI |
| 06LILONGWE133 |
PRESIDENT "FIRES" VICE-PRESIDENT [...] (SBU) Summary: President Mutharika has announced that he is effectively firing his Vice-President, a move that is widely seen as unconstitutional. Mutharika claims that by skipping cabinet meetings and avoiding most government functions Vice-President Cassim Chilumpha has essentially tendered [...] |
2006-02-10 11:39:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM KCOR MI |
| 06LILONGWE137 |
VICE PRESIDENT GIVEN INJUNCTION AGAINST DISMISSAL [...] (SBU) As expected, Vice President Cassim Chilumpha has been granted an injunction against his dismissal by the President, pending a constitutional review. As reported in reftel, the President had announced that Chilumpha effectively resigned his post as VP on February 9. Chilumpha's lawyers f [...] |
2006-02-10 13:28:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM MI |
| 06LILONGWE142 |
IMET Students: Human Rights Certification and vetting [...] No summary [...] |
2006-02-13 16:43:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | MARR MASS PGOV PHUM MI |
| 06LILONGWE145 |
PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYERS CRY OVER SEVERANCE PAY [...] A long-running debate over Malawi's law mandating severance pay is coming to a head after large private employers have begun shutting down their voluntary pension schemes. This is a response to a 2004 court action requiring employers to pay both severance and pension at termination of employ [...] |
2006-02-13 17:13:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN ELAB ECON MI |
| 06LILONGWE163 |
GOVERNMENT DEFIES COURT ORDER TO REINSTATE VP [...] (SBU) Summary: Government continues to ignore a court injunction against the dismissal of Vice President Cassim Chilumpha, and has withdrawn his security detail, staff and vehicles. For his part, Chilumpha announced on February 15 he plans to sue the Attorney General for contempt of court. Th [...] |
2006-02-16 17:02:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM KCOR MI |
| 06LILONGWE166 |
FORMER EDUCATION MINISTER TO SERVE 5 YEARS [...] No summary [...] |
2006-02-16 17:26:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM MI |
| 06LILONGWE167 |
ACOTA VIP DAY A SUCCESS [...] No summary [...] |
2006-02-17 13:09:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM MI |
| 06LILONGWE177 |
Country Clearance granted - Wyatt [...] American Embassy Lilongwe grants country clearance and welcomes the visit of Major William M. Wyatt, from February 24- March 6, 2006 to Malawi for a DIA Hart trip. Control Officer for the visit will be the Political Officer Tyler Sparks, office telephone number 265-1-773-166, ext. 3463; cell ph [...] |
2006-02-22 16:57:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS MARR PREL OTRA MI |
| 06LILONGWE178 |
MUTHARIKA TAKES ON MALAWI'S REGIONAL POLITICS [...] (SBU) Summary: President Mutharika is attempting to reverse Malawi's longstanding tradition of regional politics by building the first political party with a truly national base. Regionalism has always been a major factor in Malawian politics, and shapes the prism through which modern politic [...] |
2006-02-22 16:58:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM MI |
| 06LILONGWE179 |
MALAWI'S MIXED FEELINGS ON HONG KONG TALKS [...] In a recent briefing for the private sector, Malawi's trade minist 2. To take better advantage of open markets, the GOM understands that 3. While noting good progress on eliminating export subsidies by 2013 4. COMMENT: The GOM's trade position appears to be driven mainly by t GILMOUR [...] |
2006-02-22 16:59:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ETRD ECIN ECON MI |
| 06LILONGWE181 |
MALAWI'S MIXED FEELINGS ON HONG KONG TALKS [...] In a recent briefing for the private sector, Malawi's trade ministry indicated both satisfaction and disappointment at the outcome of December's WTO ministerial conference held in Hong Kong. As expected, the GOM had been concerned mainly about concessions to least-developed countries (LDCs). T [...] |
2006-02-23 15:01:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ETRD ECIN ECON MI |
| 06LILONGWE19 |
NORTHERN MALAWI'S CAPITAL OUTLAWS GRAIN TRADING [...] (SBU) The city assembly of Mzuzu, Malawi's northern regional capital, recently voted to ban private maize sales. The city's chief executive described the ban to us as a sop to popular sentiment and assured us that it would not be enforced. In any case, the incident illustrates the prevalence [...] |
2006-01-06 11:12:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAGR ECON EAID MI |
| 06LILONGWE20 |
BUSINESSES PROTEST MALAWI'S FOREX PRACTICES [...] (SBU) Malawi's business community has recently stepped up its pleas to the GOM to loosen its foreign exchange policy, let the kwacha depreciate, and back off its heavy-handed informal controls on forex. Embassy has encouraged the local IMF representative to engage the central bank on this issu [...] |
2006-01-06 11:29:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN EINV ECON MI |
| 06LILONGWE200 |
ACOTA TRAINING CLOSES [...] No summary [...] |
2006-02-28 16:35:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KDEM MI |
| 06LILONGWE204 |
MALAWIAN MUSLIMS PROTEST CARTOONS [...] No summary [...] |
2006-03-01 16:29:00 | Embassy Lilongwe | UNCLASSIFIED< | |