President, Mbingu Confer

21 June 2011

President Rupiah Banda yesterday held a closed-door meeting with his Malawian counterpart Bingu wa Mutharika where they discussed several issues pertaining to bilateral relations between the two neighbouring countries.

The Malawian leader landed at Chipata Airport at 10:30 hours and was welcomed by President Banda and several Cabinet ministers.

Prominent among the officials that welcomed President Mutharika were Education Minister Dora Siliya, Science, Technology and Vocational Training Minister Peter Daka, Energy Minister Kenneth Konga, Works and Supply Deputy Minister Lameck Mangani, Eastern Province Minister Isaac Banda, Provincial Permanent Secretary, Eularia Mwale, and Provincial MMD chairperson Kennedy Zulu.

The two heads of State, who watched funeral dances popularly known as Gule wa Mkulu and listened to solemn songs by Chipata women clad in black attire, were later driven to Protea Hotel where they held a private meeting for about two hours.

The Malawian leader had lunch together with President Banda at the hotel and left Chipata for Malawi at 14:35 hours.

He was seen off at the airport by President Banda and several Government officials.

President Banda later left for Lusaka almost an hour later, at 15:25 hours.

Special assistant to the president for Press and public relations Dickson Jere described the meeting as fruitful.

“The two heads of State had a purely private meeting. They discussed a number of issues on bilateral relations as neighbouring countries. These issues are not for public consumption” he said.

Mr Jere said President Banda had been to Malawi for bilateral talks and that Professor Wa Mutharika’s visit was in response to that.

Mr Banda arrived in Chipata on Friday to attend the burial of his uncle Yeremyah Mwase Banda who died last week on Wednesday at Chipata General Hospital.

Meanwhile, MMD spokesperson Ms Siliya said the death of Dr Chiluba was a big loss to the party.

Briefing journalists at Chipata Airport after seeing off the Malawian leader, Ms Siliya said during his 10-year rule Dr Chiluba empowered a lot of Zambians.

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