US embassy cable - 04LILONGWE514

C O N F I D E N T I A L LILONGWE 000514 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/S 
PLEASE PASS TO OPIC FOR MSHOR 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/09/2014 
TAGS: ELTN, EINV, PGOV, PREL, MI, Development, Economic, Industry, Transportation 
SUBJECT: HOPE FOR NACALA WITH NEW GOVERNMENT? 
 
REF: LILONGWE 494 
 
Classified By: Pol/Econ Officer Peter W. Lord, reasons 1.5 (b/d). 
 
1. (C) Ministry of Transport Principal Secretary Francis 
Chinsinga told emboff on June 9 that former Minister of 
Finance Friday Jumbe was the reason the Nacala Corridor 
Direct Agreement with Malawi had not been signed (reftel). 
Chinsinga said the relevant ministries (Transport, Justice, 
and Finance) had all recommended that the agreement be signed 
and confirmed that former President Muluzi had ordered it be 
signed two weeks before the May 20 elections.  Concerned to 
learn from a June 8 letter from OPIC that there was no basis 
for the agreement's deadline to be extended, Chinsinga said 
he planned to do all in his power "to facilitate the signing 
within one week."  He said he plans to open discussions with 
all relevant GOM ministries and to "influence their political 
masters" in cabinet as soon as they are appointed, which he 
expects to happen on June 11. 
 
COMMENT 
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2. (C) While we are encouraged that key civil servants in the 
relevant ministries support signing the Direct Agreement, the 
critical factor will be who is appointed to the new cabinet. 
As soon as the new government is named, we will raise the 
issue with the appropriate ministers.  END COMMENT. 
DOUGHERTY