JK: Malawi envoy’s death a big blow to the 2 states

Dar es Salaam. President Jakaya Kikwete yesterday sent message of condolences to the Malawian President Ms Joyce Banda following the sudden death of the country’s high commissioner to Tanzania Ms Flossy Gomile- Chidyaonga.

President Kikwete described the diplomat as a charming person who loved to co-operate with everybody and that her death is a blow to both countries.

“I have received the message of her death with great sorrow as it has been so sudden; she died at a time when we needed her most,” reads part of his message.

The message released by the directorate of presidential communication yesterday said the president requests her Malawian counterpart to deliver his message of condolences on behalf of Tanzanians to the people of Malawi and that they should all pray to God that she rests in eternal peace.

The Malawian ministry of foreign affairs announced the death yesterday, saying the ambassador died in the city on 9th May 2014 after a short illness.

“It is with deep regret that the ministry informs the general public on the passing on of high commissioner Flossy Gomile Chidyaonga in Dar es Salaam this afternoon after a short illness ,” reads the statement signed by its spokesperson, Quent Kalichero.

According to the ministry, the late Chidyaonga was Malawi’s deputy high commissioner to London since 2006 before she was appointed the ambassador to Tanzania in 2011.

Ms Chidyaonga was involved in a diplomatic spat between Malawi and the United Kingdom in 2011 due to a leaked diplomatic cable that had former president for Malawi the late Bingu wa Mutharika expelling the British envoy and she was sent back home in a tit-for-tat action.

It adds that details on the burial ceremony will be announced later.