Mutharika recieved letters of credence from Taghrid Senouer, who is the new ambassador from the State of Palestine to Malawi and will be based in Lusaka Zambia.

Also presenting similar letters was Dr. Yanni Lacovou of the Republic of Cyprus. He will be based in Pretoria, South Africa.

Malawi and Zambia have had a close history for a long time. They share common values, history, language, culture, and border. They were one country, along with Zimbabwe, under the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. Malawi has a large Zambian diaspora and Zambia has a large Malawian diaspora.

On top of  the diplomatic ties, Malawi and Zambia also have signed a Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation (JPCC) in 1982 to ensure continued cooperation between the two nations.

The JPCC meets alternately between the two countries every two years, discussing issues of mutual concern including security.