Queen assured JB Malawi will surmount challenges

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II gave assurances and inspiration to Malawi President Joyce Banda during the diamond jubilee celebrations in London that Malawi will surmount its challenges.

“I am particularly encouraged by the words of encouragement that Her Majesty gave me when we met at one of the festivities.

 

“She acknowledged the difficult times that Malawi has gone through, but in her typical motherly gesture, Her Majesty gave me assurances and inspiration that Malawi will surmount its challenges,” said Banda at the residence of the honorary Consul Krishna Savjani in Blantyre on Saturday.

 

Banda said the diamond jubilee afforded Malawi a chance to reaffirm its belief that the British Monarchy is an enduring institution, and an important pillar of the Commonwealth.

 

The President added that Her Majesty the Queen is held in high regard in Malawi. She said the Queen left an indelible mark on Malawians when she visited the country in 1979.

 

“Our two modest ways in which we appreciate her, include, the naming of our biggest hospital, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital. Secondly, on top of Zomba Mountain, is a spot called the Queen’s View. This is the place where, when Queen Elizabeth II visited the country in July, 1979, stood to take in the beauty of the country.”

 

Banda recounted with pride and satisfaction the long and rich history of excellent and mutual beneficial relations between Malawi and Britain that date as far back as the 1800s when the British missionaries came to Malawi.

 

“The relations have endured the test of time, and have always remained cordial and mutually beneficial. This is why when the relations were needlessly strained last year, my administration worked tirelessly to restore them and bring them to even greater heights.

 

“I am proud that the diplomatic rift has been healed and the relations are back on cordial and friendly terms. I believe that my visit to the UK and Right Honourable Andrew Mitchell’s recent visit to Malawi are great symbols of the restoration of our historical and cordial relations,” she explained.

 

The United Kingdom is Malawi’s major bilateral donor and under a 10-year Development Partnership with the British government that runs until 2015, Malawi receives at least £70 million (K28 billion) every year for budgetary support, and sector support, especially in the delivery of social services of education and health.

 

Other areas of focus for the British Development Aid in Malawi, includes good governance, agriculture, transport, water and sanitation, and gender equality, among others.

 

“Malawians will, forever, remain grateful to the British government for this gesture of goodwill and true friendship. I wish to pledge that my government will make sure that this valuable support will be used for the intended purpose for the benefit of the people of Malawi.

 

“It will be remiss of me if I did not pay special gratitude to Her Majesty’s government, for being the first to come to our support to cushion the impact of the economic reforms which my government has embarked upon.

 

“You are aware that the British government recently released £33 million to my government. These resources were released even before we concluded our discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on an economic programme for the country. Such a gesture is a manifestation of the confidence that Her Majesty’s government has in my government and the Malawi nation is extremely grateful for this gesture.”

 

President Banda assured the nation and the UK that Malawi will continue to embrace the principles of liberty, human rights and democracy.

 

“That is why my government has made it very clear that Malawi’s new path will be a path that promotes the rule of law, respect for human rights, and a government that provides an inclusive space for institutions critical for our democracy to grow and flourish.”

 

Acting British High Commissioner to Malawi Kirk Hollingsworth said the diamond jubilee reminds the British and the whole world the extraordinary service the Queen has rendered over the 60 years of her reign.

 

Hollingsworth assured Malawi of continued support, saying Britain recognises that there are no quick solutions to Malawi’s challenges and that it will take time for the challenges to be fixed.

 

He, however, said the recent visit by the Secretary of State for International Development, Andrew Mitchell, signalled a new and brighter era in the UK-Malawi relations.