Malawi and South Africa will hold a 3rd joint commission summit for the purposes of deepening diplomatic ties

By: Lloyd M’bwana 

In a bid to enhance and deepen diplomatic ties in the areas of social-economic development, defence and security Malawi government together with the Republic of South Africa (RSA) has scheduled to host the 3rd Joint Commission of Cooperation (JCC) summit slated for April 6-7 in the capital Lilongwe. 

A two conference comes barely a year after xenophobia attack which witnessed about 2,000 Africans including Malawians being brutally attacked and killed in RSA over insufficient of resources including job and business opportunities.

The holding of this summit is seen as the diplomatic approach and opportunity between the two countries on how best their citizens can mutually coexist through various social-economic activities.

Addressing the news conference on Wednesday, March 30 in the capital Lilongwe, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation’s Minister, George Chaponda expressed optimism over the outcome of the conference with expectation to enhance and deepen the existing mutually beneficial partnership between the two countries.

Minister Chaponda disclosed that RSA delegation is expected to be led by Luwellyn Landers, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation whereby the two nations will finalize the key Memoranda Of Understanding (MOU) and agreements including cooperation on economy, tourism, agriculture, labor and agreements in Bilateral Air Services (BASA), Mutual Assistance on Custom matters and Avoidance of Double Taxation (DTA) among others.

“The forthcoming JCC meeting is critically important for Malawi as the two countries will take stock of progress achieved since last JCC conference held in 2012 and also agree on the roadmap to conclude the outstanding issues. But most importantly, the JCC summit will cement and consolidate the fraternal and mutually beneficial ties existing between our two countries.

“The two countries framework through this meeting is expected to propose additional areas of cooperation including land and housing policies, urban development and land surveys plus other MOU such as prison services, Information, Communication and Technology (ICT), diplomatic consultations and public services management and administration which are at an advanced stage for conclusion”, optimistic Dr. Chaponda.

Malawi and South Africa governments established Joint Commission of Cooperation (JCC) in 2007 aimed at fostering and consolidating bilateral cooperation between brotherly countries with two meetings held since its inception in Blantyre and Pretoria in 2008 and 2012 respectively.

The two countries had even gone further establishing Joint Defence Committee (JDC) in 2008 which is expected to be expanded to include security cooperation to cover areas of immigration, cross border crime, drugs and human trafficking.