Malawian President Joyce Banda unexpectedly cancelled her trip to Zambia this week, where she was invited by President Michael Sata to serve as the guest of honour during the country’s 48th independence celebrations.
Ms Banda, who had confirmed her attendance earlier in the week, was expected to arrive in Zambia for a three-day State visit on 23rd October, 2012, but did not show up at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, where both Zambian government officials and Malawian Foreign Affairs Minister Mganda Chiume with High Commissioner to Zambia David Bandawe waited in vain.
No reason was given for her absence, but insiders said Ms Banda was committed to other national duties in Malawi. The Malawian Embassy in Zambia is expected to make a statement explaining the details behind Ms Banda’s no show.
Malawian Foreign Affairs Minister, Mganda Chiume had confirmed President Banda’s visit in an when he arrived in an advance party on Monday at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka.