LILONGWE (MaraviPost)—There is drama in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as diplomats recalled from various missions have given the ministry ultimatums effectively rejecting orders for them to return, while others are claiming millions of kwacha using it as an excuse to remain abroad, MaraviPost can reveal.
The source has disclosed that government is failing to repatriate Malawi High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Bernard Sande after he has refused to return home unless he is paid K15 million in arrears he has accumulated since assuming the post in 2012, the source disclosed.
“DPP cadets who were promised postings into various missions are said to be angry and now are organizing open rebellion against senior party officials and targeting special assistant to the President Ben Phiri,” the source claimed.
Government is reeling from donor aid freeze, effects of disaster and economic meltdown and its envoy to UK is said to have refused to honour three deadlines given to him, saying he will only return to Malawi when he is paid his £28,000 claim mainly from travel allowances accumulated through travels despite Government ban on local and international travel in 2013.
Accountant General is said to have refused request for extra funding, after acting Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs James Ali asked for special funding to enable Sande return. Instead it has asked the Ministry to use the mission’s allocation for 2014/2015 to square off the bill.
“Government is in quagmire, nobody seems to be in control. Most of recalled diplomats are playing tricks and nobody seems to fear Ali as he is just acting,” the source revealed.
“Sande has refused even to answer three deadlines of 5 December, 2014, 23 February, 2015 and 28 February,2015,” said the source quoting an official in the Ministry, who said Makawa from China, Moto from Brazil and Chirwa from Kenya have returned to Malawi.
Former Ambassador to UN Charles Msosa sponsored his own air ticket after receiving the recall.
Internal Audit report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, rejected most of Sande’s claims which included suit hire for banquets. The envoy is known of hosting parties at his house and staying late at many events in London.
The chaos has not spared Japan, South Africa, Washington and United Nations in New York where diplomats are using every trick in the book to extend their plum jobs.
