By Fostina Mkandawire

Salima, August 15, Mana: Joaquim Chissano University on Thursday conferred a Doctorate Degree in International Cooperation and Development to President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera for his strategic thinking and adopting external policies to develop synergies with neighbouring countries.

Making his remarks, after officially accepting the Doctorate Degree at Joaquim International Conference Centre, in Maputo, Mozambique, President Chakwera said there is no country that can develop without international cooperation.

"No matter how developed or resilient a country can be, it can never thrive without external assistance, international cooperation is the only reasonable path to a prosperous future, if you remove international cooperation from any country it will collapse," he said.

President Chakwera said it is delusional for a nation to think that it can survive on its own; a nation is sovereign and not self-contained.

"In fact, nowhere is this reality more true than in Malawi’s relations with its neighbours. Malawi’s prosperity and security depends on a robust relationship with the countries with whom she shares her borders, and among these countries, the country that we share a lion’s share of our border with is Mozambique," he said.

President Chakwera said for the past four years global challenges such as COVID 19 and natural disasters has seen countries becoming more connected through challenges that have been cross boarder.

"It does not matter who gets it first but working together as brotherhood of nations, by combating challenges together such as climate change impacts such as cyclone Freddy that hit both Mozambique and Malawi, COVID 19," he said.

On this point President Chakwera said, he was honoured and humbled to accept the honorary doctorate, which recognizes his efforts to foster international cooperation, mentioning that among the cooperation none has been stronger than the one-he shares with President Nyusi and the people of Mozambique.

Vice Registrar at Joaquim Chissano University, Senior Professor Jose Magode said in April, the University Council rigorously scrutinized President Chakwera's commitment and dedication to strengthening international cooperation with other countries.

He said the University established that Chakwera first visited Mozambique after ascending to power in October 2020 as one way of developing a strong relationship with Mozambique by making agreements that have benefited the people from the two countries.

"The bilateral relations of Mozambique and Malawi has seen the interdependence of the two countries sharing benefits in areas that are mutually beneficial, the relations are leveraging on areas of strength of the two countries," he added.

The Registrar highlighted that the University recognized that President Chakwera ascended to power at a time Malawi was facing forex shortage, natural disasters and COVID 19.

He said with President Chakwera's strategic thinking and adopting external policies there has been a turn around and a recovery plan with innovative solutions to challenges that the country has been facing has been established.

Joaquim Chissano University was established on February 5, 1986, and article 6 of the university's honorific privileges, there is a Legal provision of conferment of honorary degrees to individuals who have exhibited dedication to the community and humanity.