By Fostina Mkandawire:
Mozambique-based Joaquim Chissano University Thursday conferred a doctorate degree in International Cooperation and Development on President Lazarus Chakwera.
It cited his strategic thinking and the adoption of external policies that have led to the development of synergies with neighbouring countries among factors that enticed it to confer the papers on the Malawi leader.
Speaking after accepting the doctorate degree at Joaquim International Conference Centre in Maputo, Mozambique, Chakwera said there is no country that can develop without international cooperation.
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“No matter how developed or resilient a country can be, it can never thrive without external assistance. International cooperation is the only reasonable path to a prosperous future. If you remove international cooperation from any country, it will collapse,” Chakwera said.
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He said it was delusional for a country’s citizens to think that they can survive on their own.
“In fact, nowhere is this reality more true than in Malawi’s relations with its neighbours. Malawi’s prosperity and security depend on a robust relationship with the countries with whom she shares her borders and among these countries, the country that we share a lion’s share of our border with is Mozambique,” Chakwera said.
The Malawi leader said for the past four years, global challenges such as Covid and natural disasters have seen countries becoming more connected through challenges that have been inter-country.
Vice Registrar for Joaquim Chissano University, Senior Professor Jose Magode, said in April, the University Council scrutinised Chakwera’s commitment and dedication to strengthening international cooperation with other countries.
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He said the university established that Chakwera first visited Mozambique after ascending to power in October 2020 as one way of developing a strong relationship with Mozambique.
He said, while there, he made agreements that have benefitted the people of the two countries.
Mozambican President Felipe Nyusi attended the event and congratulated Chakwera for the feat.
Joaquim Chissano University was established on February 5 1986.—Mana
