PP takes on government over JB’s attack
The opposition People’s Party (PP) has described the recent attack on former president Joyce Banda by government that she embarrassed the country at United Nations (UN) meetings as “baseless, malicious and unfounded”.
Banda has been attending various meetings in the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in United States of America (USA)
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Dr George Chaponda accused Banda of not consulting President Peter Mutharika and embarrassing government at the international meetings in the USA by taking positions that were contrary to government.
But in a statement signed by PP spokesperson Ken Msonda, the party said Banda had always been invited to such high-level meetings across the globe including those organised by the UN and UN agencies, even before she ascended to the high office of president.
PP challenged Chaponda to provide evidence that Banda embarrassed the country.
But Chaponda maintained his stand in an interview yesterday, saying there were government representatives in meetings where Banda addressed delegates.
Chaponda said: “I know what I am talking about. I will not comment much on the matter, but we had our representatives in those meetings.”
The PP statement said Banda’s attendance of UN meetings should not raise eyebrows as she addressed global issues.
“Obviously, every now and then she would cite examples of achievements she has made through her involvement in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and charity such as the Joyce Banda Foundation International (JBF) or indeed through government when she served as president.”
The party said it would be out of character for the former head of State to say anything that would bring Malawi into disrepute.
The statement said Banda welcomed Mutharika as President of Malawi and committed herself to helping him and his government whenever called upon to do so.
