Malawi President , Dr . Lazarus Chakwera has assigned Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nancy Tembo to represent him at the 36th Session of the African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa , Ethiopia.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chakwera has made the decision due to other commitments.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform the members of public that His Excellency ,Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi , will not attend the 36th Session of the African Union Summit Meeting scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa, the Federal Republic of Ethiopia , from 18th to 19th February, 2023, due to other equally important national commitments during the same period , including cabinet’s ongoing preparations for the Budget Meeting of Parliament,” reads a statement.
A statement adds,” His Excellency the President, has therefore , designated Honorable Nancy Tembo, M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs, to represent him at the summit Meeting. His Excellency the President, will, however, attend certain AU sessions virtually.”
The theme of the African Union Summit for the year 2023 is “Acceleration of AfCFTA Implementation”.
It is expected that the Assembly will take stock of the progress made thus far in the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) following the start of trading on 1st January 2021.
