Minister of lnformation and Digitalisation, Moses Kunkuyu has described President Lazarus Chakwera’s tour of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as important and ideal in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.

Kunkuyu, who is also government spokesperson,made the remarks on Sunday at Chileka International Airport in Blantyre as the President jetted into the country from the DRC.

Kunkuyu said apart from attending the inauguration of President Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, the two leaders also held bilateral talks on peace and security, which he said was paramount.

“Malawi sends troops to DRC on UN peace-keeping mission, alongside other countries. As such, the meeting held by the two leaders assures of a continued relationship between the two countries,” said Kunkuyu.

Chakwera left for the DRC on Friday through Chileka International Airport to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Tshisekedi, who is in his second term of office as DRC President since his first victory in 2019.

The inauguration of Tshisekedi took place at an 80,000 seating capacity Martyrs Sport Stadium in the capital Kinshasa.

Other heads of state that attended the inauguration include South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema, President William Ruto of Kenya and President Joao Lourenco of Angola.

Tshisekedi won the presidential race with 73.47 percent of the votes while the main contender, former governor of Katanga, Moses Katumbi, got 18.08.

Meanwhile, President Chakwera will continue with his Southern Region official engagements in the week before returning to Lilongwe.