BY BLAIR MHONE
David Young, the new US Ambassador to Malawi, presented President Lazarus Chakwera with his letters of credence today at Kamuzu Palace, while confirming his country’s commitment to Malawi’s economic prosperity and good governance.
In a few remarks after presenting the credentials, Ambassador Young said was impressed by President Lazarus Chakwera’s commitment to democratic governance and fighting corruption.
On his part President Chakwera said the two also discussed how his tour of duty can positively impact the Malawi-US partnership in matters of development, trade, investment, social services and governance.
“We have agreed to continue collaborating in exploring new grounds on which we can better the livelihoods of our people, especially now, when our economy is recovering from the devastating impact of Covid-19 and natural disasters.
“The new envoy has also reaffirmed the US government’s commitment to working with Malawi to secure a future premised on economic prosperity and accountable governance,” said the president.
Ambassador David Young replaces Robert Scott who finished his tour of duty to Malawi in October last year.
According to his personal information, David Young is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service; he was elevated to class of Minister-Counselor on January 30, 2018.
His assignments have included being a Pearson Fellow; a Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala; and Director of the Office of International Religious Freedom in the Bureau of Democracy and Human Rights at the State Department.
He has also served as deputy director in the Office of the Special Envoy for Sudan & South Sudan, and he also served as executive assistant to the Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs at the State Department.
Previously he served as Chargé d’Affaires, at the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa and Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria.
Since March 2, 2020, he has been the Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Lusaka, Zambia.
On August 4, 2021, US President Joe Biden nominated Young to be the next United States Ambassador to Malawi and on September 30, 2021, a hearing on his nomination was held before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
On October 19, 2021, his nomination was reported favorably out of committee as the entire Senate confirmed Young on March 3, 2022.
