Professor Mutharika makes Malawi proud

Malawi's Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika. Pic by Malawi Digest.

By Chifundo Gama

Malawi’s Minister of Justice and Constitution Affairs Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika will on Monday the 14th September, 2009 become the first African to be installed the Charles Nagel Professor of International and Comparative Law.

The installation of this great honour to this distinguished son of Malawi, will take place in Anheuser-Busch Hall, Room 309 at Washington University from 4:30pm (American Time).

Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika is a younger brother to Malawi President Ngwazi Dr Bingu wa Mutharika.

Speaking in an exclusive interview to Malawi Digest at the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs headquarters at Capital Hill in Lilongwe on Friday morning before departure for the United States of America, Professor Mutharika said that he is humbled by the honour that has been bestowed on him by this highly respected American university.

“This is the highest honour one can receive in American academics. I feel humbled, greatly honoured and excited,” said the highly trained international law professor.

He said the Charles Nagel Professor of International and Comparative Law has given him more encouragement and will forge ahead by writing more books in his distinguished career.

“This has given me more energy for my forth coming book as well as keep on writing even more books especially on economic development issues especially those related to African countries,” he said.

Professor Mutharika said though the honour was being installed on him as an individual, he feels it’s also an honour to the people of Malawi that he is currently serving as the country’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs as well as Member of Parliament for his home village, Thyolo East constituency situated in the southern region tea growing mountainous district of Thyolo.

He won the MP seat by 82 percent of the vote.

According to information posted on the Washington University website, Nagel, LL.B. 1875, was U.S. Secretary of Commerce and Labour under William Howard Taft; a member of the Missouri House of Representatives, a member of the University's Board of Directors and a part-time law lecturer.

The estate of Nagel's law partner, Daniel Noyes Kirby, LL.B. 1888, made the professorship possible.

Prior to his cabinet position, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika served as Chief Adviser to his brother, Malawi President Ngwazi Dr Bingu wa Mutharika, on Constitutional, Legal and International Affairs.

An expert on international economic law, international law and comparative constitutional law, Professor Peter Mutharika is the author of numerous books and articles, including his forthcoming book on international trade, "Foreign Investment Security in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Emerging Policy and Legal Frameworks."

He was the 2008 recipient of the International Jurist Award. He received the award at an international event in India.

Among other professional activities, Mutharika serves as adviser to the American Bar Association's Rule of Law Initiative for Africa.

He continues his work as a member of the Panel of Arbitrators and Panel of Conciliators for the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes-Malawi Digest.