Politics

Malawi to re-open embassy in Nairobi

26 Nov, 2012

Malawi is to re-open its embassy in Nairobi following its closure ten years ago.

The move is part of an initiative by Malawi's newly-elected leader Joyce Banda to strengthen diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The embassy's re-opening comes after Banda met with Kenyan president Mwai Kibaki at the sidelines of the recent Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) heads of state summit in Ugandan capital Kampala.

The two leaders also agreed to re-launch the Kenya-Malawi Joint Permanent Commission that used to convene every two years but has not met for ten years. Malawi's embassy property in the exclusive northwest Nairobi district of Westlands remains intact.

Since she took office as Malawaian president in April, Banda has worked hard to repair Malawi's international relations which were damaged under the administration of her controversial predecessor Bingu wa Mutharika before his death on 5 April.