Fight corruption to attract support—EU
The European Union (EU) says, for Malawi to qualify for budgetary support, the government should address the problem of corruption, which is one of the underlying factors contributing to Malawi’s socio-economic stagnation.
EU Ambassador to Malawi, Rune Skinnebach, was speaking on Tuesday during commemorations marking EU Day in Lilongwe.
“We also need to address one of the underlying factors [contributing to] Malawi’s economic and social stagnation in recent decades, namely corruption, which is not only depriving Malawians of the public services they deserve but also affecting the investment climate, thereby stifling and limiting economic growth in the country,” Skinnebach said.
He said he was happy to have hosted the day as it was his first Europe Day celebration in Malawi and the first celebration since the Covid pandemic hit the world.
The EU suspended budgetary support to Malawi after the plunder of government funds, dubbed Cashgate, around 2013.
Foreign Affairs Minister Nancy Tembo said the government was doing everything possible to fight corruption
“Fighting corruption should start from the grassroots. It is every citizen’s responsibility to take part in the fight. It is a strong commitment to democracy and the rule of law and a more ambitious foreign policy vision,” Tembo said.
She said the government was geared towards promoting stronger regional integration, commitment to multilateralism and international rule of law, which are objectives that are in line with EU priorities at the United Nations and other international agencies.
Tembo expressed concern over the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has shaken the very foundation of Schuman’s declarations, which had made war between European countries unthinkable,” Tembo said.
The day is commemorated on May 9.
