Malawi: Malawi Absent At Presidential Level At Russia-Africa Summit

What the report says

Malawi did not have its president at the third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, according to the reporting carried by Nyasa Times and distributed by AllAfrica. The article says 22 African heads of state attended the two-day gathering, which opened Wednesday and was set to end Thursday, October 29, while Malawi President Peter Mutharika was absent.

The summit brought together delegations from 48 of Africa’s 54 countries and was co-chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Burundi President Évariste Ndayishimiye, who is currently chairing the African Union. Leaders and representatives were discussing trade, food security, energy, investment, security cooperation and other sectors, including agriculture, transport, education, science, technology and humanitarian cooperation.

Among the heads of state reported in Moscow were leaders from Zimbabwe, Ghana, Mali, South Sudan, Mozambique, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea and the Republic of the Congo. Other countries, including Uganda, Rwanda, Algeria, Burkina Faso and South Africa, sent senior delegates instead. The article notes that participants were expected to approve a Russia-Africa partnership action plan for 2027-2029 and a declaration on the civilian use of artificial intelligence.

The report says Malawi’s government had not publicly explained why the president was absent or who was representing the country. It adds that questions remain over what Malawi hopes to secure from the forum, while noting broader discussions in the article about possible cooperation on fertiliser, irrigation, electricity, minerals and scholarships.