United States Ambassador David Young has said he openly opposes government’s position on some matters because of his love for Malawi.

He said the relationship between Malawi and the US is so good that there’s no way the two countries can silently watch the other going the wrong way.

Young (R) and Gwengwe toast to continued good relations between the US and Malawi

Speaking Thursday night in Lilongwe at a reception to kick-start his country’s independence celebrations (which falls on July 4) and Juneteenth, Young said Malawi should expect more criticism where necessary because that is “what relatives do”.

He said: “You may ask, how can you be pachibale when we see newspaper headlines that we sometimes disagree with. Well, think about it for a moment: do any of you live in a family where everyone agrees with all the others every moment of every day?

“Does being close family mean you are exactly the same and think and feel exactly the same? Does being in a close family mean you don’t speak your honest feelings and share your hopes and dreams, your joys and concerns? I don’t think so. The people I love the most are the people whom I am most honest with. That is pachibale.”

Young has recently been quoted in the media criticising government for moving refugees and asylum seekers from towns, cities and villages back to Dzaleka Refugee Camp, arguing that the Malawi Government was violating rights of the refugees.

In the same spirit of friendship, according to Young, the fundamental programme of partnership between the US and Malawi for the past 20 years has been the US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar) programme.

To emphasise the friendship aspect, local artists, Ambassador Young and Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Sosten Gwengwe jointly performed in a theme song Tikhoza.

The message is about the importance of knowing one’s HIV/Aids status and starting the anti-retroviral therapy if found positive.

Gwengwe who was the guest of honour, acknowledged that Malawi and the US are important allies, with Malawi benefitting from the relationship which started a long time ago, in multiple ways.

Said Gwengwe: “Our relationship with the United States holds immense value to the people of Malawi. We are grateful for the enduring partnership built on shared values and mutual respect.”

He further said the US continues to be an indispensable developmental partner, as demonstrated by its active engagement in various programmes such as the United States Agency for International Development which has entered into a five-year bilateral assistance agreement with his ministry to support Malawi Vision 2063.

“This partnership seeks to materialize an advanced, self-reliant Malawi that prioritises gender equity and democratic accountability.”

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