By Joseph Dumbula
Malawi President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to regional and continental integration efforts aimed at improving the lives of citizens while promoting inclusive growth and shared prosperity across Africa.
President Mutharika made the remarks at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe during a ceremony to receive letters of credence from the newly appointed Ambassador of the African Union Southern African Regional Office (AU-SARO), Hilda Suka Mafudze.
The Malawian leader said the country highly values its longstanding relationship with the African Union, particularly AU-SARO, adding that Ambassador Mafudze’s accreditation marks another important step in strengthening those ties.
Mutharika underscored the significance of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, describing it as a transformative blueprint that reinforces the collective aspiration for “The Africa We Want.” He noted that Malawi has aligned this continental vision with its national development blueprint, Malawi 2063, which seeks to transform the country into an industrialized upper-middle-income economy by the year 2063.
The President assured Ambassador Mafudze of the full cooperation and support of both the Government and people of Malawi as she assumes her new role.
He further expressed optimism that her tenure would deepen relations between Malawi and the African Union in key sectors such as agriculture and food security, climate change mitigation, trade and investment, education and skills development, as well as peace and security.
Speaking during the ceremony, AU-SARO Ambassador Hilda Suka Mafudze commended President Mutharika for his commitment to initiatives that advance national development in line with the African Union’s broader agenda for sustainable growth and regional integration.
Established in 2001 by African Union member states, AU-SARO serves as a representative office tasked with fostering constructive and productive relations between the AU and countries in Southern Africa, while also strengthening cooperation with regional blocs including SADC and COMESA.
