By Rebecca Chimjeka Matemba:
Germany has commended Malawi for the peaceful and orderly transfer of power following last month’s general elections, calling it a strong sign of democratic maturity.
Speaking at the 35th Anniversary of German Unity in Lilongwe, German Ambassador to Malawi, Ute König, praised Malawi “for upholding democratic values”.
She said Germany was honoured to mark its national day alongside Malawians, especially following the peaceful inauguration of a new government.
“The peaceful change of government in a competitive and fair process, respecting the will of the people, is the beauty and success of democracy,” König said.
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She added that both Germany and Malawi held elections this year that saw opposition leaders win, which she said was significant on the African continent.
König, who observed Malawi’s elections at several polling stations and briefings, described the process as impressive.
“My personal kudos go to all Malawi Electoral Commission staff at polling stations who worked under difficult conditions. This has been a proud moment for many Malawians,” she said.
Reflecting on German Unity, König recalled the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the peaceful reunification in 1990, describing it as a “miracle” that reshaped global history and inspired freedom movements.
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“In 1989, people stood with candles and hope. Their desire for freedom brought down the wall and paved the way for a unified Germany,” she said.
König reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to its long-standing partnership with Malawi, based on global justice, sustainable development and integrated security.
She announced that the next bilateral development talks would be held in December 2025 in Bonn, focusing on governance, financial sector development, reproductive health, social protection and food security.
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mwayi Polepole, congratulated Germany on its unity anniversary and thanked it for over 60 years of support worth €1.3 billion.
“As a nation, we value peace, but we know peace is more than the absence of conflict. It means justice, inclusion and shared purpose,” Polepole said.
He also reaffirmed Malawi’s commitment to strengthening ties with Germany through trade, investment and capacity-building in line with Malawi 2063, the country’s long-term development plan.
