Regional

President of Malawi cancels trip to the Bahamas following Vice President’s plane crash

Malawi President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has canceled his upcoming visit to the Bahamas due to a severe aviation incident involving Vice President Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima.

The plane, which was also carrying nine other individuals, crash-landed in the Chikangawa forest this Monday, prompting immediate national concern.

Scheduled international engagements impacted

President Chakwera was slated to participate in the 31st African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) annual meeting and the Afri-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum in Nassau from June 12-14.

This event is expected to host over a thousand delegates, including leaders and officials from both Africa and the Caribbean, along with prominent figures from various sectors such as banking and academia.

The forum marks a historic occasion as it is the first Afreximbank annual meeting to be held in the Caribbean.

Strategic opportunities missed

The Malawi Foreign Ministry highlighted the significance of President Chakwera’s participation, which was to be underpinned by the sponsorship of Afreximbank.

The visit was seen as a crucial opportunity for Malawi to secure additional support and to establish further partnerships aligning with the nation’s Agriculture, Tourism, and Mining (ATM) Strategy and its new initiatives on special economic zones and industrial parks.

Additional travel plans halted

In addition to his commitments in the Bahamas, President Chakwera was also expected to travel to Bürgenstock, Switzerland, to attend the Global Peace Summit on June 15-16.

However, these plans have been put on hold in light of the recent tragic events.

Ongoing rescue efforts

The Malawi government disclosed that the Vice President and the accompanying individuals were aboard a Malawi Defence Force aircraft scheduled to land at Mzuzu International Airport.

Following the crash, aviation authorities have been unable to establish contact with the aircraft.

President Chakwera has directed all national and regional agencies to launch an immediate search and rescue operation to locate the missing aircraft and its occupants, underscoring the urgency of the situation. (Article from CNW, Bahamas)

Regional

FAREWELL TO STATESMAN ‘SIR SHRIDATH RAMPHAL

President Dr Irfaan Ali hailed the late Sir Shridath Surendranath Ramphal as one of Guyana’s architects, who helped shape the country’s legal framework, fashioning its constitution, and defending its territorial integrity.

During a National Funeral of Honour held at the Promenade Gardens, the Head of State praised the late “statesman” for his stellar contributions to the country, region and the Commonwealth.

*Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves*

“His life and legacy stand as a testimonial, not only to his brilliance as a legal eagle, statesman and diplomat but also to his undeniable dedication to the land of his birth, Guyana.”

After the funeral service, Sir Ramphals’s ashes were interned at the Seven Ponds in the Botanical Gardens in Georgetown.

Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Prime Minister of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell; Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves; Prime Minister of Guyana, Brigadier Mark Phillips; CARICOM Secretary General, Dr Carla Barnett and past and present regional and local government officials were also at the event.

Regional

AFERXIMBANK CONFERENCE BEING HELD IN THE BAHAMAS

NASSAU: American actress Viola Davis is in The Bahamas for the Afreximbank Annual Meeting, where a signing ceremony took place Connecting Global Africa with the tools to make a difference.

Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper greets Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley who is in The Bahamas for the Afreximbank Annual Meeting being hosted in The Bahamas.

Regional

Challenges and Opportunities Around the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Cricket

Regional Security Heads have convened a meeting dubbed, “Enhancing Security Coordination for Major Sports in the Caribbean” with a special focus on the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Cricket.

The meeting which is taking place in Barbados from May 14th – 17th 2024 is organized by The Organization of American States, through the Secretariat of the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE), in collaboration with the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) and the Crime Implementation Agency and Security of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM IMPACS) is being held at the National Council on Substance Abuse Training Room.

Delivering remarks, Mr. Earl Harris, Assistant Director, Corporate Services, Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security -IMPACS emphasized the significant economic opportunities offered by the sports industry, providing pathways for individuals to thrive. He acknowledged the potential of major sporting events to leave a legacy, elevating host countries onto global platforms while fostering economic, political, and social development.

He underscored the unity and empowerment that sports bring, particularly highlighting cricket as a unifying force in the Caribbean. The upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Cricket, scheduled from 1 June to 29 June, was recognized as a pivotal moment to showcase the region’s rich sporting culture on the world stage.

However, amidst the anticipation and excitement, challenges that may affect the safety and security of the event are being discussed to mitigate any possible risks. The importance of collective vigilance and collaboration to safeguard participants and spectators was emphasized to preserve the region’s reputation.

Acknowledging the collective effort required for a successful sporting event, the role of Venue Operations Commanders (VOCs) was highlighted as crucial in ensuring effective security coordination. The success of the games was noted to depend significantly on the leadership and management provided by the VOCs in each participating state.

Mr. Harris also highlighted the importance of active engagement and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders to forge strategies that will strengthen security coordination for the upcoming tournament. Regional leaders expressed gratitude for the commitment shown by attendees and encouraged active participation to guarantee the success and safety of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Cricket.

The meeting is expected to continue with discussions and collaborations aimed at bolstering security measures and fostering stronger bonds among CARICOM countries and their citizens. (PR)