The Malawi government is optimistic donors would resume their assistance to the country next year, despite the United Kingdom — the country’s biggest donor — stressing its aid program would remain suspended.
Malawi Minister of Energy Goodal Gondwe said a lobby mission has secured assurances from the European Union and other donors that they would start resuming aid programs and budget support. These were suspended due to human rights abuse concerns in Malawi. The mission was led by Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika’s brother Peter Mutharika.
“They heard our side of the story and we expect that budget support will resume for the next financial year,” Gondwe said, according to Reuters.
The U.K. foreign ministry, however, has stressed it has no plans of unfreezing its aid program and budget support for Malawi.
“This program will remain suspended until the government of Malawi addresses our concerns over economic management, governance and human rights,” Reuters quotes a statement from U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
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