By Malawi Freedom Network

Malawi civil society organisations are calling on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide a clear explanation of the role and responsibilities of Malawi’s honorary consul in Israel, particularly following the establishment of Malawi’s diplomatic mission in Tel Aviv.

The concern centres on the apparent existence of two separate Malawian representations in Israel — the country’s embassy in Tel Aviv and an honorary consular office — raising questions about their respective mandates, reporting structures and the potential for duplication of responsibilities.

Malawi officially opened its embassy in Tel Aviv in April 2024, with the government describing the mission as an important step towards strengthening bilateral relations between Malawi and Israel. At the time, government said the embassy would facilitate cooperation in areas including agriculture, education, labour and other sectors of mutual interest.

The development has, however, prompted questions among some CSOs and observers about why an honorary consul would continue to operate separately when Malawi now has a fully established diplomatic mission in the country.

What is the role of an honorary consul?

An honorary consul is generally different from an ambassador, chargé d’affaires or career consul serving at an embassy.

Honorary consuls are normally appointed to perform limited consular and representational functions. They may assist citizens, facilitate commercial and cultural relations, promote bilateral contacts and provide certain consular services on behalf of a country.

Their role can be particularly useful in locations where a country does not have a resident diplomatic mission or where the embassy requires additional local representation.

Related story Malawi Opens Embassy in Tel Aviv, Eyes Stronger Long-Term Relations with Israel

However, the existence of an embassy does not automatically make an honorary consul unlawful or impossible. Countries can maintain honorary consular arrangements alongside embassies, provided the responsibilities of the different offices are clearly defined and coordinated.

The key question for Malawi, therefore, is not simply why an honorary consul exists, but what specific functions the honorary consul performs that are not already covered by the embassy.

CSOs want answers from Foreign Affairs Ministry

The CSOs are asking the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to clarify whether the honorary consul operates under the authority of the Malawi Embassy in Tel Aviv and whether the office has an independent mandate.

They also want the ministry to explain:

• What is the official mandate of the honorary consul?
• What services is the honorary consul authorised to provide?
• How does the office relate to the Malawi Embassy in Tel Aviv?
• Who supervises or reports to the honorary consul?
• Are there services that citizens are expected to access from the honorary consul rather than the embassy?
• What is the justification for maintaining two separate offices?
• Does the honorary consul receive financial or administrative support from the Malawi Government?
• How are potential overlaps in diplomatic and consular responsibilities avoided?
• What mechanisms are in place to ensure accountability and coordination?

These questions are particularly important because diplomatic missions are ultimately instruments of the state and their mandates should be sufficiently clear to avoid confusion among citizens, foreign governments, businesses and other stakeholders.

Embassy and honorary consul can have different functions

The presence of an honorary consul alongside an embassy does not necessarily mean that the two institutions are performing exactly the same job.

An embassy is Malawi’s principal diplomatic representation in Israel. It represents the government in official political and diplomatic engagements and serves as the main channel for government-to-government relations.

The embassy can also provide or coordinate consular services for Malawian citizens and deal with matters such as bilateral agreements, political relations, trade, investment, labour cooperation and diplomatic negotiations.

An honorary consul, on the other hand, may have a narrower mandate. Depending on the terms of appointment, the person may assist with specific consular matters, promote business links or provide support to Malawian nationals.

The problem arises when members of the public cannot easily distinguish between the two offices or understand which institution is responsible for a particular service.

Why transparency matters

The questions from civil society come at a time when Malawi is seeking to strengthen its international diplomatic footprint while also facing pressure to use public resources efficiently.

The opening of the Tel Aviv embassy was presented by government as a strategic investment in Malawi-Israel relations. The government also highlighted the importance of cooperation in agriculture and employment, including an agreement concerning temporary employment of Malawian workers in Israel.

With such responsibilities resting with the embassy, CSOs argue that the government should clearly explain how the honorary consul complements rather than duplicates the work of the diplomatic mission.

This is also important for Malawians living and working in Israel. Citizens should not have to navigate two offices without knowing which one has authority over passports, documentation, emergency assistance, labour-related issues or other consular matters.

Accountability over public resources

Another issue that requires clarification is funding.

If the honorary consular office is privately funded and operates primarily as an honorary representation, the government should make that clear. If, however, public resources are being used to maintain the office, CSOs may reasonably ask for information about the budget, expenditure and justification for maintaining the additional structure.

The principle should be straightforward: where public resources are involved, there should be transparency about the purpose, cost and measurable benefit to Malawi.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a responsibility to ensure that Malawi’s diplomatic missions operate efficiently and that their respective mandates are understood.

Not necessarily a contradiction

Diplomatic practice in other countries demonstrates that honorary consuls can exist even where countries have formal diplomatic missions. The existence of an honorary consul therefore does not, by itself, establish wrongdoing or administrative irregularity.

The issue for Malawi is one of clarity, coordination and accountability.

If the honorary consul performs specialised functions that complement the embassy, the Ministry should explain those functions publicly. If the role has become unnecessary following the opening of the embassy, the ministry should also explain whether it is reviewing the arrangement.

What citizens and civil society organisations are seeking is not necessarily the closure of the honorary consular office, but a clear explanation of why it exists, what it does and how it fits into Malawi’s diplomatic structure in Israel.

Ministry faces calls for clarification

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has an opportunity to put the matter to rest by providing an authoritative explanation of the institutional relationship between the Malawi Embassy and the honorary consul.

Such clarification would help eliminate speculation, prevent confusion among Malawians in Israel and demonstrate that Malawi’s diplomatic structures are being managed in a transparent and coordinated manner.

As Malawi continues to deepen its relationship with Israel, observers say the country needs a diplomatic structure that is not only effective in advancing national interests but also clear to the public it serves.

The central question now before the Ministry is therefore simple:

What exactly is the role of Malawi’s honorary consul in Israel, and why is that role necessary alongside a fully established Malawi Embassy in Tel Aviv?

Malawians are waiting for an explanation.

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