APM leaves for UNGA, govt mum on budget
President Peter Mutharika and First Lady Gertrude Mutharika Friday left for New York, United States, where they are expected to attend the 72nd United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) from Tuesday next week.
Mutharika left Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) on a chartered plane to South Africa from where he is expected to use a commercial flight, according to Minister of Information and Communication Technology Nicholas Dausi.
Speaking to journalists before boarding the plane, Mutharika said he will be making at least 12 statements while the First Lady will also take part in several side event meetings.
He also indicated that he will be sharing best practices on peace and security with other leaders in line with this assembly’s theme Focusing on people: striving for peace and a decent life for all on a sustainable planet.
“Cabinet just adopted the National Peace Policy recently, which will be launched when I come back. It is a very comprehensive document that talks about peace and security. At the assembly, we will see how other countries are doing on peace and share experiences,” Mutharika said.
Several dignitaries including Vice-President Saulos Chilima, ambassadors and high commissioners, Cabinet ministers, governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and government officials saw Mutharika off.
Addressing a press conference in Lilongwe, earlier in the day, Dausi failed to disclose the budget of UNGA trip.
The government spokesperson was also at pains to explain when the president would arrive back in the country.
He said the media was free to source information from the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development on what the trip would cost the government but insisted that there would be 19 people on the president’s delegation.
As a country, we’ve been duped again. There is nothing at the UNGA that can’t be done by the permanent Malawi rep at the UN. Looking at the photo of APM waving at the crowd, I can just imagine him thinking “so long suckers!” When he hits the streets of New York, he will disappear again. Like a fart in the wind. Just like last time.
It’s hard to imagine there is another people on this earth as stupid as Malawians. Mxii!!
He going to renew green card… malawi needs president .. abale kulibe munthu kumalawi ngati mmene adayambila BINGU? We have some one who can love thi country . To get us out of these meses not politics