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Washington DC — President Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika is confident that the just ended US- Africa Leaders’ Summit held in Washington DC would yield positive results for African countries including Malawi.
The US Government hosted the first ever summit involving 50 African leaders including the Chairman of the African Union Commission in what has been recorded as the historic gathering to have attracted such a high level attendance of Heads of State and Government in the US Capital from August 4 to August 6, 2014.
“It is too early to say what impact this summit will be to Africa. My view is that no matter what happens, it will be a positive impact,” President Mutharika told a news conference.
He said the process to strengthen the economic ties between Africa and the US had just started and although there was no communiqué signed as well as no commitments made.
President Barack Obama himself was keen to ensuring that strong ties continue to exist with Africa so that there would be a follow-up to what has been discussed at the summit.
The President said both the US and African leaders interacted during the summit seriously and what was important was a process to address challenges African countries face.
“The summit was very cordial. The President (Obama) is committed and feels the kind of needs that we have in Africa,” the President said. The summit discussed critical issues like investing in the next generation, food security as well as peace and national stability. The leaders also discussed good governance, universal rights and strengthening civil societies.
During individual leaders’ contributions, President Mutharika talked about the need for fair trade between Malawi and its partners, youth skills training on the programmes his government would like to introduce in country.
Speaking at the close of the unprecedented summit and before a consequent news conference, President Obama said despite challenges, Africa is a continent on the rise and a growth market for US businesses.
“Africa must know that they will always have a strong and reliable partner in the United States of America,” Obama said.
