Clinton pledges $46 million to Malawi

United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who visited Malawi on Sunday, has pledged a $46 million (about K12.42 billion) towards the country’s agricultural sector in the next three years.

Clinton, who has since left for South Africa to continue her tour of some African States, made the pledge after touring a dairy production centre in Lumbadzi, Lilongwe, where, among several other activities, she met some beneficiaries of the United States Agency for International Development (Usaid)-funded project under the Feed the Future (FTF) programme.

She also donated a Holsten bull to the Lumbadzi Milk Bulking Group which operates in the Chigotha Agricultural Extension Planning Area in Traditional Authority (T/A) Mbang’ombe.

“I am pleased to announce that in the next three years, the USA government will assist Malawi with $46 million to strengthen the entire agricultural sector,” said Clinton.

She said she was personally impressed with the milk bulking group’s activities, saying the USA is particularly interested to support milk production in the country.

The milk bulking group has a membership of 206 farmers with 121 dairy cows and among its many activities, it assists orphans, vulnerable children and the elderly.

Soon after arrival, Clinton held talks with President Joyce Banda at the New State House in Lilongwe before her team, which also included USA’s Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson, met senior Malawi Government officials at the presidential residence.

The Malawi team included Vice-President Khumbo Kachali, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ephraim Chiume, Chief Secretary to Government Bright Msaka, Malawi Army Commander Henry Odillo and Inspector General of Police Lot Dzonzi.

During a brief photo session with the President, Clinton said she was pleased to be in the country.

“I am privileged that I am here in Malawi. This shows how strongly the USA supports you and your government. I am very proud to be here,” said a visibly excited Clinton.

In her brief remarks, the President said: “For a long time, we have been children and women activists and today I am glad that we have finally met in our official capacities. I have been waiting for this time.”

Economic and governance reforms

According to a statement released by the US Embassy in Lilongwe after the meeting, Clinton, among several other issues, congratulated President Banda again on her inauguration as Africa’s second female president and reaffirmed the cordial relations and cooperation between the two countries.

The statement said Clinton commended the President “on the courageous economic and governance reforms that she has initiated to put Malawi back on a positive development trajectory.”

Reads the statement: “As chair of the Board of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), Secretary Clinton emphasised that President Banda’s bold actions had enabled the Board in June to reinstate the $350 million compact with Malawi to revitalise the energy sector.”

The statement also said that Clinton emphasised the desire of the US not only to assist Banda in her goal to improve the quality of life for the most vulnerable Malawians, but also to achieve economic self-sufficiency for all Malawians.

Although the principal focus of FTF is legume and dairy value chain, it also supports other key areas in the agricultural sector.

This is the first visit for a US Secretary of State. Before visiting Malawi, Clinton had been to Senegal, South Sudan, Uganda and Kenya. She is also expected to visit South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana.

There was heavy security at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) with strict checks, largely conducted by American security officials. The American plane carrying Clinton touched down at the KIA runway at exactly 10:09am.

Clinton was welcomed by Kachali, other government officials who included Chiume, Minister of Industry and Trade John Bande, Msaka and several principal secretaries.

At the airport, Clinton took some seconds to watch a beni dance before jumping into a convoy of over 20 vehicles and headed to the New State House where she met the President.