Update: Malawi will host the 28th Ordinary Meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Ministerial Committee of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation from July 16 to 17 in Salima, according to Channel Africa. Minister of Foreign Affairs George Chaponda is scheduled to chair the regional gathering. The meeting will focus on conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and assessing political developments across member states.
Update: The number of foreign nationals processed for deportation or voluntary repatriation from South Africa has surpassed 53,000. Malawians represent the vast majority of this group, according to The Media Line. South African Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi stated that Pretoria stepped in to cover transportation and security costs after Malawi was unable to finance sufficient buses for its returning citizens.
In other diplomatic news, questions have emerged regarding Malawi's participation in a Russian security summit held outside Moscow, Nyasa Times reports. Malawi's Ambassador to Russia, James Mpinganjira, confirmed that senior government officials attended the 14th International Meeting of High Representatives on Security Issues. The attendance has drawn scrutiny due to Malawi's previous United Nations votes condemning the war in Ukraine alongside its continued agricultural cooperation with Moscow.
Meanwhile, Malawi's ambassador to China, Allan Joseph Chintedza, visited Linyi in Shandong province to explore new bilateral trade opportunities, according to China Daily. The diplomatic visit focused on strengthening cooperation in infrastructure development and construction machinery between Malawian markets and Chinese manufacturers.