Bingu crucial in achieving a peaceful Africa

BY WATIPASO MZUNGU JNR

Zuze: Mutharika crucial in peace-building processes

Community of Sant’ Egidio, a lay Catholic organization, says President Bingu wa Mutharika has a big role in solving the political and socioeconomic challenges rocking African continent.

Last week, the Community invited the president to make a keynote speech this year’s International Meeting of Prayer for Peace in Barcelona. But the president failed to attend and, instead, delegated two ministers, bishops and his advisor on religious affairs to represent him.

Mutharika had earlier committed himself to attend the prayer, but changed because he is attending other meetings outside Malawi, according to his advisor on religious affairs, Rev. Billy Gama.

In an interview on Tuesday, one of the executive members of the group, Francisco Zuze, described Mutharika as an epitome of a peaceful and progressing leader in Africa hence the need for his direct involvement in solving problems in war-torn countries.

Zuze explained that it was a tradition for the Community to organize this type of prayers whose aim is to build peace among people of different races and nations.

“We feel our president has a big role in achieving a peaceful nd progressive Africa. Generally, Malawi is a peaceful country and we believe it can offer a big lesson to countries ravaged by political or religious conflicts both within and beyond Africa,” Zuze said. 

“The prayers will centre on peace-building process, truce and reconciliation among warring parties. And in his capacity as AU chairperson, President Bingu wa Mutharika can play a crucial role in peace-building processes in African countries hence the invitation being extended to him. And as a Community, we believe prayer is the surest answer to all these challenges and Mutharika’s presence was of great value to the participants at the meeting since Malawi is currently enjoying rapid economic growth, peace and tranquillity,” said Zuze.

Presidential Advisor on Religious Affairs, Rev. Billy Gama confirmed about the invitation. He also confirmed Mutharika had delegated him four others; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Peter Mwanza, Deputy Minister in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Nicholas Dausi, Bishops emeritus Allan Chamgwera and Felix Mkhori to represent him at the meeting.

However, Mkhori will not be part of the team as he is reportedly feeling unwell.

“He was very eager and more than willing to attend this meeting to demonstrate to the world how Malawi has managed to live in peace. But because of other equally important meetings he is attending outside Malawi, he has delegated us to represent him,” said Rev. Gama before departing Chileka International Airport in Blantyre.

Community of Sant’ Egidio has been organising a pilgrimage of dialogue and peace in the last 25 years in a number of European and Mediterranean cities.

This year’s prayer was organized under the theme: "Living together in a time of crisis. Family of peoples, family of God".

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