Tag Archives: Attorney General Thabo Chakaka-Nyirenda

Law and order, Malawi

“Malawi International Arbitration Centre to cut costs, create opportunities for local legal professionals”-AG Nyirenda

Lloyd M’bwana

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Attorney General (AG) Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda says the establishment of Malawi International Arbitration Centre (MIAC) will cut cut costs and also create opportunities for local legal professionals, businesses, and the broader economy.

AG Nyirenda reveals that the continent has been losing over US$5 billion annually to Western and Far Eastern countries due to the arbitration of commercial disputes in foreign jurisdictions.

The Malawi’s Attorney was speaking on Friday, March 21, 2025 in Blantyre Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) and the Malawi Law Society (MLS) launched the much awaited MIAC.

AG Nyirenda adds, “The journey towards the establishment of the local International Arbitration Centre has been a deliberate and strategic effort by the Government in recognition of the economic significance of arbitration and its role in upholding the rule of law.

“The benefits of the Malawi International Arbitration Centre are extensive will enhance investor confidence, attract international investments, generate foreign currency inflows, create employment opportunities, promote tourism, strengthen Malawi’s global economic footprint and reduce case backlogs in our courts and enhance access to justice”.

He explains further, “By collectively engaging the government and relevant stakeholders, we can transform our business environment and foster sustainable development, contributing towards the UN 2030 Agenda and Malawi Vision 2063.

“The office of the Attorney General will not rest on its past laurels at this significant juncture but will be astute to provide the necessary support to the private sector and the professional bodies that are interested in promoting ADR including the membership of the Malawi Arbitration Centre”.

The Malawi International Arbitration Centre (MIAC)’s launch was under the theme, “The State of Alternative Dispute Resolution and Prospects of Viable Commerce in Malawi – Resolving Disputes, Unlocking Opportunities”.

Law and order, Malawi

Former Malawi’s consular general in Dubai Gilena Fajar demands MK205bn dues

Lloyd M’bwana

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Brazilian woman Gilena Susana Seliman Fajar, who was engaged as Malawi’s consular general in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, is demanding US$200 million (about MK205 billion) in unpaid rentals and salaries since 2013.

However, Attorney General Thabo Chakaka-Nyirenda on Monday, January 6, 2023 confirmed the development, but said the envoy, who engaged by former president Joyce Banda in 2013, does not deserve the money.

Demanding unpaid rentals and salary dating back to 2013: Fajar

He said: “The figure she has quoted (of US$200 million) is not legitimate and that is why we are arguing that she is not entitled to any payment.”

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson John Kabaghe also confirmed the lawsuit, but said the Attorney General is better placed to comment.

But Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament chairperson Mark Botomani told Nation Newspaper that the committee has engaged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the matter.

Nyirenda: We will contest the suit

He said they want the Attorney General to swiftly act so that taxpayers do not foot such a hefty bill.

“The issue came during the interface we had with Secretary for Foreign Affairs and were extremely outraged because Malawi is a small economy and cannot afford to pay such an astronomical figure to a person who is not even a native.

“So, we call upon the Attorney General to use every means possible to defend this lawsuit and also to get everyone who was involved in hiring this person to be held accountable because in our view, they did not do it in the best interest of the country,” said Botomani.

Political analyst Ernest Thindwa said he was surprised with the K205 billion legal suit, saying there is a need for the Anti-Corruption Bureau to investigate the matter.

He said: “The ACB should follow the thread to bring domestic culprits to book because it looks like there is an element of fraud in the matter. Recruitment in public service should adhere to laid down procedures.”

In 2018, former Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Principal Secretary Isaac Munlo (deceased) told Parliament that Seliman Fajar was engaged by the Joyce Banda administration.

At that time, Munlo said his ministry was working on how to deal with the issue as that decision was made politically in the previous administration.

However, former diplomat John Chikago backed Seliman Fajar’s appointment, saying anyone can head the consulate office provided they promote Malawi through trade.

“The consulate offices are a link to promotion of trade for a country, but a person who is supposed to be there is not necessarily a Malawian. As long as she is there to promote trade that is okay but being given a diplomatic passport that can be illegal,” he said.