Former Malawi President appointed Commonwealth special envoy for Tanzania peace mission

LILONGWE, Malawi 

Former Malawi President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has been appointed by the Commonwealth as Special Envoy to Tanzania, a role aimed at helping the country navigate post-election tensions and move toward national dialogue. 

Chakwera announced his appointment during a press conference at the MCP headquarters in Lilongwe, where he also addressed supporters about the future of his party.

The appointment was confirmed by Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon. Shirley Botchwey, who said Dr. Chakwera’s “experience and leadership” will be valuable in building constructive engagement among Tanzanian stakeholders. 

She expressed confidence that his work will support peace, stability, and democratic values in the country.

Dr. Chakwera is expected to be in Tanzania from 18 to 21 November, where he will hold meetings with government officials, political parties, civil society groups, religious leaders, traditional authorities, and international partners. 

His mission is to help open inclusive discussions around the disputed elections and support early steps toward national reconciliation and development.

Accepting the role, Dr. Chakwera said he was honoured to serve:

“As a neighbour who has followed the situation in Tanzania closely, I am grateful for this trust. I am committed to supporting dialogue that respects democracy and strengthens the rule of law.”

He will carry out the assignment alongside Commonwealth Assistant Secretary-General Prof. Luis Franceschi, with the results of the mission expected to guide the Secretary-General’s next steps under her Good Offices mandate.

During the press briefing, Dr. Chakwera declined to take media questions but assured MCP supporters that he remains committed to helping the party return to power in 2030 — a signal that he intends to continue serving as MCP President for now.

Chakwera recently conceded defeat to Peter Mutharika in Malawi’s peaceful election, widely praised across the region. 

Tanzania, however, faces growing tension after an election that SADC and AU observers described as not free and credible, prompting the Commonwealth to intervene with Chakwera at the forefront of the effort.

The appointment marks a remarkable evolution of Chakwera’s post-presidency—one that is increasingly resembling the respected trajectories of former leaders who became global diplomats, such as Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Tanzania’s Jakaya Kikwete, Ghana’s John Mahama, and South Africa’s Thabo Mbeki, who all took on high-level peace, governance, or mediation roles after leaving office. 

He now joins that league of statesmen whose leadership continues to influence the world long after their domestic tenure ends.

Speaking at a press briefing at the MCP Headquarters in Lilongwe, Chakwera said the appointment is both an honour and a solemn responsibility—one that reaffirms the global trust in Malawi’s democratic values and his personal record of advocating peace.

He revealed that the letter of appointment arrived on Tuesday, 11 November—fittingly, the same day the world commemorated Remembrance Day, a moment dedicated to peace and the memory of those lost to conflict.

The letter, he said, came directly from the Commonwealth Secretary General, Hon. Shirley Botchwey, who tasked him with travelling to the United Republic of Tanzania to help broker peace during a critical moment for the country.