President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika is not attending the 39th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government scheduled to take place in the United Republic of Tanzania.

Instead, President Mutharika has directed the Vice President Right Hon. Everton Chimulirenji to represent him at the Summit which is expected to commence on August 16, 2019.

This has been disclosed in a statement from the Office of the Vice President signed by his press officer Charles Wahara made available to faceofmalawi.

According to the statement, Chimulirenji will leave the country this coming Friday through Kumuzu International Airport in the capital Lilongwe.

This will be the second International trip for Chimulirenji since ascending to the office of the Vice President on May 21, 2019.

Mutharika has shunned several public functions with the latest being the official opening Agricultural Fair in the commercial capital Blantyre due to political tension.

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera and United Transformation Movement (UTM) President Dr. Saulos Chilima are protesting the outcome of the May 21 tripartite election and they are seeking nullification of the presidential results.

The case is currently in court.