Ntaba, Thoko Banda yet to be replaced
Malawi is yet to replace two proposed diplomats who withdrew their appointments to foreign missions.
The two are veteran politician-cum-medical doctor Hetherwick Ntaba and Thoko Banda.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation spokesperson Quent Kalichero told The Nation the ministry is waiting for the appointing authority, the President, to make further nominations.
Kalichero said in the meantime incumbent diplomats are still holding the positions.
Thoko Banda declined his appointment to Harare, Zimbabwe, where incumbent High Commissioner Jane Kambalame is still in charge while in the United Kingdom, where Ntaba was headed, Bernard Sande is still the High Commissioner.
Ntaba withdrew from the appointment citing personal reasons.
Commenting on the development, Chancellor College political analyst Boniface Dulani said this is not surprising because it keeps up the reputation of the President as someone who makes decisions slowly.
Said Dulani: “But I think there is need for some quick action on the diplomats because they are very important since they are the first point of reference for Malawi to the outside world.
“At least they should have brought back the old ambassadors and briefed them on the new foreign policy of this administration.”
In a related development, Kalichero said Brian Bowler and Charles Namondwe have since been deployed to their posts in the United States of America and China, respectively.
No need to nominate new diplomats, both Jane Kambalame and Bernard Sande are seasoned and professional diplomats from the civil service, and not from any party. They will do the country more good than any political appointee.