Apparently, Bingu wa Mutharika is not the learned fellow we all thought he is. An economist by training, Malawi’s once highly esteemed president has shown himself to be anything but the bright spark we tend to ascribe to holders of PhD degrees in Development Economics. It is a dubious distinction, I am told.
In any event, bright sparks are not known for taking a nation two steps forward only to take it ten steps backwards. It runs counter-current to so called development economics which are premised on sustaining growth; not reversing it.
All things considered then, it would seem that the president has not benefitted Malawi’s economic development in any way, shape or form. Instead, he has unleashed a reign of terror on the peace-loving citizens of the warm heart of Africa. Malawians who endured decades of iron fisted rule under Hastings Kamuzu Banda, have to do it all over again as they face heightened repression under Mutharika. International condemnation has come thick and fast starting with the suspension of aid by Britain.
All is not well in Malawi as fear and anxiety grip the nation amid speculation that August 17 will see yet another round of violent protests. Already 19 people have died in the last protests on July 20. Unmoved by the tragedy, an unrepentant Mutharika has vowed to “smoke out” those behind the protests. The president remains deaf to the cries of the nation and blind to the plight of his people. By all accounts, it seems the tyrant has made a pact with the devil. He has chosen to flirt with death itself.
In a season of popular uprisings which have seen the overthrow of dictatorships notably in Egypt and Tunisia, it is pertinent that Malawians should use this time to reflect on the change they want to see in their country. It is an opportune moment to take stock of the last 47 years of independence and ask why they find themselves more or less in the same place they were during Banda’s three decades in power. To replace a Kamuzu Banda with a Bingu Wa Mutharika is nothing short of a classical exercise in insanity — doing the same thing every single time and expecting different results.
For decades Malawians lived up to their stereotype as a meek and pliant people. It was a stereotype entrenched in their psyche by a culture of oppression and political isolation. It is a much different world now; a world of satellite television, Facebook and Twitter. A world where dissent is relayed in kilobytes per second at lightning speeds across the globe. A world where sentiment is digitised and protest movements are mobilised in less time than it takes to convene a town hall meeting. It is a world undergoing dramatic change; the kind of change the likes of Bingu fear and yet underestimate. The kind of change whose force the people dare not underestimate lest they be thrust back into the clutches of dictatorship. It is a world Malawians inhabit and must embrace wholeheartedly so that they can be assured of a better future.
In April this year, Africa bade goodbye to Ivorian strongman Laurent Gbagbo after he was captured from his underground hideout in the presidential palace. Shortly after his capture, Gbagbo appeared in a white vest sweating profusely and looking disoriented. He was displayed like a hunted animal in a show of humiliation that could have been avoided. It was an undignified scene. Others have fared much worse. Next door to Ivory Coast, Samuel Doe of Liberia suffered a much terrible fate in 1990 when upon his capture, he was tortured and assassinated. His corpse was then mutilated and paraded about town in a wheelbarrow. That is hardly a fitting way for a leader to bid farewell.
Mutharika need not tempt fate. History is replete with examples of the terrible demise meted against power mongers who saw the writing on the wall but chose to ignore its warnings. Malawians soon to be engulfed in the coming tsunami of the double dip recession, will no doubt restrain their pent up fury. After all, they are a people not given to a culture of violence. Without the restraint however, it is feared that the end of those bent on restraining their freedom and prosperity, could be brutal. Given all of this, we can only hope and pray that the learned fellow in the presidential palace will of necessity, redeem himself, correctly interpret the mood of the people and muster the resolve to do the right thing. The wrong thing is just too ghastly to contemplate.
Source: http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/jeremiahkure/2011/08/10/malawi-on-the-precipice-too-ghastly-to-contemplate/
Showing posts with label DPP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DPP. Show all posts
Friday, August 12, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Statement by the Leader of Opposition in Botswana
Statement by the Leader of Opposition, Botsalo Ntuane,
delivered on Tuesday 26 July 2011 in the National Assembly
on developments in Malawi and how the Botswana government should respond.
The Opposition Collective in the Parliament of Botswana joins the rest of the democratic community in condemning the cold blooded massacre, on 20th and 21st July 2011 of 18 demonstrators by the government of President Bingu wa Mutharika. This terrible act of violence against unarmed civilians, protesting the escalating cost of living, fuel and foreign exchange shortages, as well as repression and violation of human rights, is unprecedented in the history of Malawi. We note that even during the one party dictatorship of Hastings Kamuzu Banda, nothing on this scale was ever visited on the civilian population by the government. The economic problems in Malawi which precipitated the demonstrations have been authored by a stubborn President Mutharika whose deteriorating human rights record has forced donors to cut off much needed aid.
As the Opposition Collective, we can rightly proclaim we saw this coming.
The nation will recall that on 1 April 2011, the Chairman of the Botswana Movement for Democracy(BMD) and also Member of Parliament for Lobatse addressed a press conference in the precincts of Parliament announcing a boycott of the official opening of the Lobatse Stadium facility by President Mutharika. Hon Modubule’s stance which reflected the indignation of the Opposition Collective was premised on well founded concerns at a disturbing trend of developments in Malawi.
In a pattern of behaviour which suggested that state violence will soon be perpetrated against the citizenry, President Mutharika has in the past incited the youth cadres of his Democratic Progressive Party to assault opposition supporters who dared criticize him.
Another consideration which informed our boycott of President Mutharika was his display of intolerance to critical views, when he assented to Section 46 Penal Code Amendment Bill which grants the Minister for Information the power to arbitrarily close down publications, outside due process. To us this assault on the press, which we consider a critical guardian of democracy and good governance was unacceptable.
The delinquent conduct of President Mutharika knows no bounds. We noted with concern the sustained attacks on the Non Governmental Organisations, leading to some activists fleeing into exile because they fear for their lives.
Like the proverbial bull in a china shop, immediately after his departure from Botswana, President Mutharika expelled the ‘British High Commissioner for describing him in a diplomatic cable as ‘autocratic and intolerant of criticism”
We contend that President Mutharika is being aided and abetted in his campaign of repression by the government of Botswana which continues to treat him like a distinguished statesman when many in the international community are shunning him. It should be a source of shame that President Khama, in a display of bad judgment, and against our counsel, invited this dictator to our country. In its unbridled contempt for the Opposition, this government disregards all our advice, the consequence of which is a situation where our country is today associated with rogues like President Mutharika. It is shocking to many that a government with a predilection for playing to the international gallery on issues of democracy and human rights has remained silent in the face of the unfolding tragedy in Malawi. To us this silence means the government of Botswana condones the deplorable actions of President Mutharika.
We pose this question, how different is President Mutharika from Muammar
Gadaffi in Libya, Bashar Al Assad in Syria, Omar Al Bashir in Sudan, and all the other dictators that have attracted the sanctimonious wrath of the Botswana government over rights violations and atrocities against their own citizens?
The deafening silence, which can only be ascribed to the embarrassment felt by the Botswana government, amounts to a betrayal of the people of Malawi, particularly victims of the state sponsored violence. Indeed contrary of the grandstanding characterizing previous statements about how the Botswana government sides with the people against repressive regimes, the simple truth is that these expressions of support are mere lip service; and just like those it condemns, the Botswana government practices double standards, and will side with its friends in power, hence the tacit support given to President Mutharika on account of the ‘see no evil, hear no evil’ posture.
To this end the Parliamentary Opposition Collective demands the following from the Botswana government;
1. An unequivocal statement condemning the actions of the government of President Mutharika.
3. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon Phandu Skelemani to summon the High Commissioner of Malawi to Botswana for a meeting at which he will convey the statement of condemnation.
4. To demand an immediate end to the ongoing harassment, detention and torture of opposition and civil society activists; many of whom are now in hiding.
5. To support an investigation by the International Criminal Court on the killings in Malawi, and for such support to be extended to prosecutions that will follow.
6. To apologise to both the people of Botswana and Malawi for hosting President Mutharika in April 2011.
7. To undertake to listen to the counsel of the Opposition Collective in future and undertake not to invite any dictators to Botswana.
Failure to do any of the above will give true meaning to the idiom that we judge you by the company you keep.
Botswana and the international community should henceforth judge this government by the friends it keeps in the form of President Mutharika and his murderous regime.
End.
delivered on Tuesday 26 July 2011 in the National Assembly
on developments in Malawi and how the Botswana government should respond.
The Opposition Collective in the Parliament of Botswana joins the rest of the democratic community in condemning the cold blooded massacre, on 20th and 21st July 2011 of 18 demonstrators by the government of President Bingu wa Mutharika. This terrible act of violence against unarmed civilians, protesting the escalating cost of living, fuel and foreign exchange shortages, as well as repression and violation of human rights, is unprecedented in the history of Malawi. We note that even during the one party dictatorship of Hastings Kamuzu Banda, nothing on this scale was ever visited on the civilian population by the government. The economic problems in Malawi which precipitated the demonstrations have been authored by a stubborn President Mutharika whose deteriorating human rights record has forced donors to cut off much needed aid.
As the Opposition Collective, we can rightly proclaim we saw this coming.
The nation will recall that on 1 April 2011, the Chairman of the Botswana Movement for Democracy(BMD) and also Member of Parliament for Lobatse addressed a press conference in the precincts of Parliament announcing a boycott of the official opening of the Lobatse Stadium facility by President Mutharika. Hon Modubule’s stance which reflected the indignation of the Opposition Collective was premised on well founded concerns at a disturbing trend of developments in Malawi.
In a pattern of behaviour which suggested that state violence will soon be perpetrated against the citizenry, President Mutharika has in the past incited the youth cadres of his Democratic Progressive Party to assault opposition supporters who dared criticize him.
Another consideration which informed our boycott of President Mutharika was his display of intolerance to critical views, when he assented to Section 46 Penal Code Amendment Bill which grants the Minister for Information the power to arbitrarily close down publications, outside due process. To us this assault on the press, which we consider a critical guardian of democracy and good governance was unacceptable.
The delinquent conduct of President Mutharika knows no bounds. We noted with concern the sustained attacks on the Non Governmental Organisations, leading to some activists fleeing into exile because they fear for their lives.
Like the proverbial bull in a china shop, immediately after his departure from Botswana, President Mutharika expelled the ‘British High Commissioner for describing him in a diplomatic cable as ‘autocratic and intolerant of criticism”
We contend that President Mutharika is being aided and abetted in his campaign of repression by the government of Botswana which continues to treat him like a distinguished statesman when many in the international community are shunning him. It should be a source of shame that President Khama, in a display of bad judgment, and against our counsel, invited this dictator to our country. In its unbridled contempt for the Opposition, this government disregards all our advice, the consequence of which is a situation where our country is today associated with rogues like President Mutharika. It is shocking to many that a government with a predilection for playing to the international gallery on issues of democracy and human rights has remained silent in the face of the unfolding tragedy in Malawi. To us this silence means the government of Botswana condones the deplorable actions of President Mutharika.
We pose this question, how different is President Mutharika from Muammar
Gadaffi in Libya, Bashar Al Assad in Syria, Omar Al Bashir in Sudan, and all the other dictators that have attracted the sanctimonious wrath of the Botswana government over rights violations and atrocities against their own citizens?
The deafening silence, which can only be ascribed to the embarrassment felt by the Botswana government, amounts to a betrayal of the people of Malawi, particularly victims of the state sponsored violence. Indeed contrary of the grandstanding characterizing previous statements about how the Botswana government sides with the people against repressive regimes, the simple truth is that these expressions of support are mere lip service; and just like those it condemns, the Botswana government practices double standards, and will side with its friends in power, hence the tacit support given to President Mutharika on account of the ‘see no evil, hear no evil’ posture.
To this end the Parliamentary Opposition Collective demands the following from the Botswana government;
1. An unequivocal statement condemning the actions of the government of President Mutharika.
3. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon Phandu Skelemani to summon the High Commissioner of Malawi to Botswana for a meeting at which he will convey the statement of condemnation.
4. To demand an immediate end to the ongoing harassment, detention and torture of opposition and civil society activists; many of whom are now in hiding.
5. To support an investigation by the International Criminal Court on the killings in Malawi, and for such support to be extended to prosecutions that will follow.
6. To apologise to both the people of Botswana and Malawi for hosting President Mutharika in April 2011.
7. To undertake to listen to the counsel of the Opposition Collective in future and undertake not to invite any dictators to Botswana.
Failure to do any of the above will give true meaning to the idiom that we judge you by the company you keep.
Botswana and the international community should henceforth judge this government by the friends it keeps in the form of President Mutharika and his murderous regime.
End.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Demo Post Mortem by Rajik Hajat, IPI
I am proud to report that Civil Society in Blantyre had no hand in the riots, looting and violence that ensued during our 'peaceful' demonstration.
It was provoked by Political parties who seized the opportunity to hijack our peaceful march and turn it into a battleground by misdirecting the crowd,
I also hold the following people responsible because:
a) Chiza Mbekeani who applied for the injunction to prevent us from demonstrating for reasons best known to himself;
b) The lawyer who applied for that injunction was later found to be unregistered in Malawi and thus not eligible to apply for injunctions; This should be investigated and punished!
c) The Judge (Kachale) who granted the ex parte injunction at night without checking into the salient facts and/or the eligibility of the applicants; This should be investigated and punished!
d) The Police - for setting up road blocks in various locations to deter people from coming for the demo thereby raising temperature from the start.
e) The Police - for preventing the pickup carrying our PA system from entering into town - thereby denying us the means with which to communicate with the crowd and exert control;
f) The Police - for keeping us bottled up on Victoria Ave for 5 hours in the hot sun without food or water, because of an alleged injunction which did not bear our names and was never served on us. As a result the initial good humour of the crowd soon turned ugly and uncontrollable;
g) The Political Parties - who tried to hijack the peaceful demonstration by whipping the crowd into a frenzy and misdirecting them into a confrontation with the Police that soon became a battleground; It was a disgusting spectacle and visibly demonstrated to me why our beloved country is suffering in this way. There will be no hope unless these parties cease to be 'personality driven' and change their modus operandi completely. Otherwise, we are well and truly doomed to another 50 years of the same treatment we've suffered for the last 47 years and our children will chant the same litany - hunger, disease, envy, and the inexorable dehumanization that has robbed us of our dignity.
Today I have been keeping track of the incidents taking place in Bt, and I can truthfully swear innocence for the despicable acts that have taken place. It appears that these 'thugs' have been incited by the DPP to destabilise Malawi into such a sens of insecurity that the President can declare a state of emergency and thus continue to rule with even more powers than he can presently wield. What a tragedy!
Which goes to show that the demonstration was not an end in itself, but rather the beginning of a long turbulent, tiresome, trek to regain the human dignity that has been lost by every Malawian!
--
Rafiq Hajat
IPI
It was provoked by Political parties who seized the opportunity to hijack our peaceful march and turn it into a battleground by misdirecting the crowd,
I also hold the following people responsible because:
a) Chiza Mbekeani who applied for the injunction to prevent us from demonstrating for reasons best known to himself;
b) The lawyer who applied for that injunction was later found to be unregistered in Malawi and thus not eligible to apply for injunctions; This should be investigated and punished!
c) The Judge (Kachale) who granted the ex parte injunction at night without checking into the salient facts and/or the eligibility of the applicants; This should be investigated and punished!
d) The Police - for setting up road blocks in various locations to deter people from coming for the demo thereby raising temperature from the start.
e) The Police - for preventing the pickup carrying our PA system from entering into town - thereby denying us the means with which to communicate with the crowd and exert control;
f) The Police - for keeping us bottled up on Victoria Ave for 5 hours in the hot sun without food or water, because of an alleged injunction which did not bear our names and was never served on us. As a result the initial good humour of the crowd soon turned ugly and uncontrollable;
g) The Political Parties - who tried to hijack the peaceful demonstration by whipping the crowd into a frenzy and misdirecting them into a confrontation with the Police that soon became a battleground; It was a disgusting spectacle and visibly demonstrated to me why our beloved country is suffering in this way. There will be no hope unless these parties cease to be 'personality driven' and change their modus operandi completely. Otherwise, we are well and truly doomed to another 50 years of the same treatment we've suffered for the last 47 years and our children will chant the same litany - hunger, disease, envy, and the inexorable dehumanization that has robbed us of our dignity.
Today I have been keeping track of the incidents taking place in Bt, and I can truthfully swear innocence for the despicable acts that have taken place. It appears that these 'thugs' have been incited by the DPP to destabilise Malawi into such a sens of insecurity that the President can declare a state of emergency and thus continue to rule with even more powers than he can presently wield. What a tragedy!
Which goes to show that the demonstration was not an end in itself, but rather the beginning of a long turbulent, tiresome, trek to regain the human dignity that has been lost by every Malawian!
--
Rafiq Hajat
IPI
Malawi: Arab Spring Spreading South of the Sahara?
Written by Steve Sharra
It's winter in Africa, south of the Equator, but the temperature in Malawi feels more like Spring - particularly that of the recent Arab pedigree. The Malawian air is rife with tension and anxiety over what is expected to be a clash between civil society and the Malawi government on Wednesday July 20, 2011.
Civil society activists have set that date as a day for the beginning of a series of mass demonstrations aimed at expressing their displeasure with the Malawian leadership.
Rife with tension
Malawi is currently undergoing a severe fuel shortage, which began at the beginning of June, one of a recurrent number of crippling shortages since 2009. The country has had severe foreign exchange (forex) shortages, at a time when it is supposed to have plenty of from tobacco sales, currently in season.
On Thursday, July 14, the British Government announced [2] it had stopped giving budgetary support to the Malawi government, citing concerns with the suppression of demonstrations, the intimidation of civil society organisations, and an injunctions bill that prevents citizens from obtaining court injunctions against the government.
The British Government also said Malawi’s currency, the Kwacha, was overvalued, resulting in chronic forex shortages “which are having a serious impact on the Malawian private sector’s ability to drive future growth. There are now daily fuel queues, tobacco exports have deteriorated and Malawi is off-track with its IMF programme.” The IMF has also suspended its support to the Malawi government.
The political landscape has been tense since December 2010 when the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) expelled [3] the Right Honorable Joyce Banda, the country's vice president, for what is widely believed to be a ploy for President Bingu wa Mutharika to pave a political path for his brother, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika. The vice president has since formed her own party [4], although officially she remains in her government position.
President Bingu wa Mutharika has recently signed law bills that have been met with widespread criticism and resistance, including one empowering the Minister of Information to ban any publication [5] deemed not to be in the public interest. A more recent law makes it impossible for individuals to obtain a court injunction [6] and seek judicial redress against the government.
The University of Malawi [7] has had two of its constituent colleges, Chancellor College and The Polytechnic, shut down [8] since February 2011 when lecturers started refusing to enter classrooms for fear of spies. The saga started in February this year when the Inspector General of Police, Peter Mukhito, summoned a Chancellor College political science lecturer, Dr Blessings Chinsinga, to question him for mentioning the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt during a lecture.
The University of Malawi governing council is currently engaged in a court battle with the Chancellor College Academic Staff Union (CCASU), who are challenging the Council's firing of four Chancellor College lecturers, including Dr Chinsinga and Dr Jessie Kabwila-Kapasula, the union's acting president.
Fear of violent protests
There are fears that the July 20 mass demonstrations may turn violent. Supporters of President wa Mutharika and the DPP have announced a counter-demonstration on the same day. There are reports that 800 police officers are being specially trained to stop the demonstrations “with zero casualties” according to online newspaper Malawi Voice [9].
On Thursday July 14, the United States Embassy in Malawi issued an alert to US citizens in Malawi about about the demonstrations and the possibility that they could turn ugly. Titled “Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens – Possible Demonstrations”, the alert first appeared [10] on the discussion site Nyasanet on Friday, and later on the online newspaper Nyasatimes [11].
One member on the Nyasanet forum observed [12] that the mere fact that the US Embassy issued such a statement meant that there was something serious brewing underground:
The Statement from the US Embassy means that the Chief of Station (Head of the CIA in Malawi) has done his/her homework. They are rarely off target.
As the air grew tense with the countdown to Wednesday, there were reports on Sunday [13], which first surfaced on a Google forum, that a vehicle belonging to Zodiak Broadcasting Station [14], an independent radio station, had its windows smashed by men wearing face masks.
Much of the news of the demonstration has appeared online, whereas the government's response has used state media with government spokespersons holding press conferences on television and radio stations. A Facebook event page [15] has been created for the demonstrations with the title ‘DEMO YA TIYENI TONSE PA 20 JULY', roughly translating as a demonstration of one and all on 20 July. As of writing, 2,422 people have indicated they will attend the demonstration; the date on the event's page says 20 October instead of the July 20 event that everyone is talking about.
The Facebook page gives a detailed description of when and where people should assemble for the demonstrations, a programme that has appeared in other online newspapers [16] and in print newspapers. Comments on the page range from the biblical to the profane.
A Bible-quoting commenter writes [17]:
There4,let us follow aftar the things dat mek 4 peace & things by which 1 may edify another” Roman 14:19
One bordering on the profane goes [18]:
It's our right to demonstrate, that is the only way we can ring a bell in to an obstinate and gullible this stupid fool called ngwazi. Let us show him that Malawi does not belong to one tribe neither his family, gogogogogo! DEMO.
Another comment sounds rather militant [19]:
It Has to be done…Malawians Stand Up and Be Counted! No One Should Abuse Our Hard Fought For Freedom!
A more reflective commenter quotes [20] Nelson Mandela:
It always seems imposible until its done-Nelson mandela.
Interest in the impending mass action appears to be spreading outside Malawi. A Malawian landing at Kamuzu International Airport on Sunday posted on their Facebook page [21] about a group of foreign journalists aboard the same plane they were on:
Had a contingent of foreign media in the same flight this afternoon coming into Lilongwe, looks like the Demos have attracted the attention on the international media!” One passenger even asked a question the Malawian chose not to answer: “Some one asked me, is it true Malawians are changing regime on 20th July? I didnt give hima any answer.
But an observer of Malawian politics posted on Twitter about there not seeming to be a lot of international media attention on the looming demonstrations: “still nothing shows up in international news feeds on upcoming #Malawi demonstrations #20July”.
The Twitter hashtag for the demonstration is #20July [22], says @chiume [23].
Response from the top
President wa Mutharika appears to have been aware of the mood amongst many Malawians, and has been planning a response. On arrival from a trip to the United States towards the end of June, he announced that he was going to give a public lecture, in which he would address the many concerns Malawians are expressing.
No date was set for the public lecture, but immediately as the organizers of the July 20 demonstration announced their date, government announced the same date of July 20 for the public lecture. Government spokesperson Honorable Vuwa Kaunda, Minister of Information and Civic Education, and presidential spokesperson Dr Heatherwick Ntaba held a press conference, urging Malawians not to go to the demonstration, but to the president's lecture instead.
Among the many reasons the two cited as to why Malawians need to listen to the president, Hon. Vuwa Kaunda performed his trademark praise song to President wa Mutharika, listing the many achievements of the DPP-led government. Hon Kaunda has become known for rattling off, in rapid style, President wa Mutharika's achievements: an end to chronicle food shortages, new tarred roads across the length of the country, six new universities being planned for the next ten years, new parliament building, a new five star hotel and international conference center in the capital city Lilongwe, and Nsanje World Inland port connecting Malawi to the Indian Ocean, among others.
Up to until his re-election to a second term in May 2009, President Bingu wa Mutharika enjoyed broad support locally, and wide admiration abroad. Civil society activists held demonstrations in support of his policies against a majority opposition which was seen as only bent on frustrating his development plans. He introduced a farm input subsidy, which is credited for having turned Malawi from a food importer to a food exporter. He was Malawi's first president to become chairperson of the African Union for the year 2010, a development that added to his international credentials which earned him attention on the front pages of major newspapers in the United States [25], Britain [26] and elsewhere [27]. There was renewed hope and pride amongst many Malawians, and President wa Mutharika was seen as the new face of a new Africa.
Compared with the mood in the country today, a lot has changed in a space of two years. A Malawian development economist observed [28] on Nyasanet in May this year:
I was at the world economic forum last month. Only two years [ago] bingu was a hero. Now Malawi was a source of bewilderment.
In an attempt to dissuade Malawians from attending Wednesday's planned demonstrations, the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation has carried news bulletins, on three consecutive evenings, claiming that Malawians are being duped about the demonstrations, whose real aim, the state broadcaster claims, is to show support for gay rights, for which civil society groups have received millions of kwacha. The bulletins have been saying organizers of the demonstrations want to use photographs of demonstrators to show to donors that Malawians support gay rights and same-sex marriages.
Reactions to the government's story have been derided as bordering on the desperate. One reaction posted on Twitter [29] said:
Malawians urged not to listen to MBC TV & Radio on 20 July - coz of its tendency to misinform in news coverage
Another tweet [30] sought to identify a possible irony in a television anchor's attire:
MBC TB news anchor, Nyang'wa in a red tie - maybe in some dress rehearsal for the July 20 demo (dress attire is red)
On February 14 earlier this year civil society organizations planned a demonstration to protest against fuel shortages, but it was stopped by police. According to online newspaper Malawi Voice, the demonstrators were hugely outnumbered by the police [31], who were over 250, against a few dozen protesters, numbering about 30, according to print newspaper The Nation [32].
The leader of that foiled demonstration, Mabvuto Bamusi, has since made a 180 degree turn. He is now frequently invited on national television to provide analysis and commentary that supports government and lambasts his former colleagues in civil society.
Article sourced from Global Voices: http://globalvoicesonline.org
URL to article: http://globalvoicesonline.org/2011/07/19/malawi-arab-spring-spreading-south-of-the-sahara/
URLs in this post:
[1] Image: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=169916843073956
[2] announced: http://www.dfid.gov.uk/Media-Room/Press-releases/2011/Government-to-suspend-general-budget-support-to-Malawi/
[3] expelled: http://globalvoicesonline.org/2010/12/21/malawi-citizens-take-on-vice-presidents-dismissal/
[4] her own party: http://www.nyasatimes.com/politics/malawi%E2%80%99s-vp-socialist-party-launches-in-march.html
[5] ban any publication: http://www.misa.org/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?category=2&id=1303122817
[6] court injunction: http://www.nationmw.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=22790:bingu-signs-injunctions-bill&catid=1:national-news&Itemid=3
[7] University of Malawi: http://www.unima.mw/
[8] shut down: http://globalvoicesonline.org/2011/04/14/a-blog-post-that-closed-the-university-of-malawi/
[9] Malawi Voice: http://www.malawivoice.com/latest-news/800-police-officers-undergoing-special-training-to-counter-20th-july-demonstrations-as-mdf-waits-in-wings/
[10] first appeared: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?A2=NYASANET;abb904c6.1107C
[11] Nyasatimes: http://www.nyasatimes.com/national/americans-warned-of-malawi-demo.html
[12] observed: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?A2=NYASANET;47f3ca3.1107C
[13] reports on Sunday: http://www.nyasatimes.com/national/zodiak-car-smashed-by-bingu-thugs.html
[14] Zodiak Broadcasting Station: http://zodiakmalawi.com/zbs%20malawi/
[15] Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=169916843073956
[16] online newspapers: http://www.malawidemocrat.com/national/programme-of-july-20-demonstrations/
[17] writes: https://www.facebook.com/penjani.gondwe/posts/172021052863535
[18] goes: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=172046599527647&id=100000106964805
[19] militant: https://www.facebook.com/Ngwizzy/posts/172039956194978
[20] quotes: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=171942982871342&id=100002368908313
[21] posted on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10150234330889094&id=522839093
[22] #20July: http://search.twitter.com/search?q=+%2320July
[23] @chiume: https://twitter.com/#!/chiume/status/92695188207706113
[24] Image: http://globalvoicesonline.org/2011/07/19/malawi-arab-spring-spreading-south-of-the-sahara/malawi1-4/
[25] United States: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/02/world/africa/02malawi.html
[26] Britain: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/81059fb4-0e02-11dc-8219-000b5df10621.html
[27] elsewhere: http://www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/afrec/vol22no3/223-harvest-of-hope.html
[28] observed: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?A2=NYASANET;96c316cc.1105D
[29] posted on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Malawi2014/status/92645360350146560
[30] tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/Malawi2014/status/92658583682031616
[31] outnumbered by the police: http://www.malawivoice.com/latest-news/malawians-not-keen-on-fuel-protest-police-out-number-protesters/
[32] The Nation: http://www.nationmw.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14460:malawi-police-foil-fuel-protest&catid=1:national-news&Itemid=3
It's winter in Africa, south of the Equator, but the temperature in Malawi feels more like Spring - particularly that of the recent Arab pedigree. The Malawian air is rife with tension and anxiety over what is expected to be a clash between civil society and the Malawi government on Wednesday July 20, 2011.
Civil society activists have set that date as a day for the beginning of a series of mass demonstrations aimed at expressing their displeasure with the Malawian leadership.
Rife with tension
Malawi is currently undergoing a severe fuel shortage, which began at the beginning of June, one of a recurrent number of crippling shortages since 2009. The country has had severe foreign exchange (forex) shortages, at a time when it is supposed to have plenty of from tobacco sales, currently in season.
On Thursday, July 14, the British Government announced [2] it had stopped giving budgetary support to the Malawi government, citing concerns with the suppression of demonstrations, the intimidation of civil society organisations, and an injunctions bill that prevents citizens from obtaining court injunctions against the government.
The British Government also said Malawi’s currency, the Kwacha, was overvalued, resulting in chronic forex shortages “which are having a serious impact on the Malawian private sector’s ability to drive future growth. There are now daily fuel queues, tobacco exports have deteriorated and Malawi is off-track with its IMF programme.” The IMF has also suspended its support to the Malawi government.
The political landscape has been tense since December 2010 when the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) expelled [3] the Right Honorable Joyce Banda, the country's vice president, for what is widely believed to be a ploy for President Bingu wa Mutharika to pave a political path for his brother, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika. The vice president has since formed her own party [4], although officially she remains in her government position.
President Bingu wa Mutharika has recently signed law bills that have been met with widespread criticism and resistance, including one empowering the Minister of Information to ban any publication [5] deemed not to be in the public interest. A more recent law makes it impossible for individuals to obtain a court injunction [6] and seek judicial redress against the government.
The University of Malawi [7] has had two of its constituent colleges, Chancellor College and The Polytechnic, shut down [8] since February 2011 when lecturers started refusing to enter classrooms for fear of spies. The saga started in February this year when the Inspector General of Police, Peter Mukhito, summoned a Chancellor College political science lecturer, Dr Blessings Chinsinga, to question him for mentioning the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt during a lecture.
The University of Malawi governing council is currently engaged in a court battle with the Chancellor College Academic Staff Union (CCASU), who are challenging the Council's firing of four Chancellor College lecturers, including Dr Chinsinga and Dr Jessie Kabwila-Kapasula, the union's acting president.
Fear of violent protests
There are fears that the July 20 mass demonstrations may turn violent. Supporters of President wa Mutharika and the DPP have announced a counter-demonstration on the same day. There are reports that 800 police officers are being specially trained to stop the demonstrations “with zero casualties” according to online newspaper Malawi Voice [9].
On Thursday July 14, the United States Embassy in Malawi issued an alert to US citizens in Malawi about about the demonstrations and the possibility that they could turn ugly. Titled “Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens – Possible Demonstrations”, the alert first appeared [10] on the discussion site Nyasanet on Friday, and later on the online newspaper Nyasatimes [11].
One member on the Nyasanet forum observed [12] that the mere fact that the US Embassy issued such a statement meant that there was something serious brewing underground:
The Statement from the US Embassy means that the Chief of Station (Head of the CIA in Malawi) has done his/her homework. They are rarely off target.
As the air grew tense with the countdown to Wednesday, there were reports on Sunday [13], which first surfaced on a Google forum, that a vehicle belonging to Zodiak Broadcasting Station [14], an independent radio station, had its windows smashed by men wearing face masks.
Much of the news of the demonstration has appeared online, whereas the government's response has used state media with government spokespersons holding press conferences on television and radio stations. A Facebook event page [15] has been created for the demonstrations with the title ‘DEMO YA TIYENI TONSE PA 20 JULY', roughly translating as a demonstration of one and all on 20 July. As of writing, 2,422 people have indicated they will attend the demonstration; the date on the event's page says 20 October instead of the July 20 event that everyone is talking about.
The Facebook page gives a detailed description of when and where people should assemble for the demonstrations, a programme that has appeared in other online newspapers [16] and in print newspapers. Comments on the page range from the biblical to the profane.
A Bible-quoting commenter writes [17]:
There4,let us follow aftar the things dat mek 4 peace & things by which 1 may edify another” Roman 14:19
One bordering on the profane goes [18]:
It's our right to demonstrate, that is the only way we can ring a bell in to an obstinate and gullible this stupid fool called ngwazi. Let us show him that Malawi does not belong to one tribe neither his family, gogogogogo! DEMO.
Another comment sounds rather militant [19]:
It Has to be done…Malawians Stand Up and Be Counted! No One Should Abuse Our Hard Fought For Freedom!
A more reflective commenter quotes [20] Nelson Mandela:
It always seems imposible until its done-Nelson mandela.
Interest in the impending mass action appears to be spreading outside Malawi. A Malawian landing at Kamuzu International Airport on Sunday posted on their Facebook page [21] about a group of foreign journalists aboard the same plane they were on:
Had a contingent of foreign media in the same flight this afternoon coming into Lilongwe, looks like the Demos have attracted the attention on the international media!” One passenger even asked a question the Malawian chose not to answer: “Some one asked me, is it true Malawians are changing regime on 20th July? I didnt give hima any answer.
But an observer of Malawian politics posted on Twitter about there not seeming to be a lot of international media attention on the looming demonstrations: “still nothing shows up in international news feeds on upcoming #Malawi demonstrations #20July”.
The Twitter hashtag for the demonstration is #20July [22], says @chiume [23].
Response from the top
President wa Mutharika appears to have been aware of the mood amongst many Malawians, and has been planning a response. On arrival from a trip to the United States towards the end of June, he announced that he was going to give a public lecture, in which he would address the many concerns Malawians are expressing.
No date was set for the public lecture, but immediately as the organizers of the July 20 demonstration announced their date, government announced the same date of July 20 for the public lecture. Government spokesperson Honorable Vuwa Kaunda, Minister of Information and Civic Education, and presidential spokesperson Dr Heatherwick Ntaba held a press conference, urging Malawians not to go to the demonstration, but to the president's lecture instead.
Among the many reasons the two cited as to why Malawians need to listen to the president, Hon. Vuwa Kaunda performed his trademark praise song to President wa Mutharika, listing the many achievements of the DPP-led government. Hon Kaunda has become known for rattling off, in rapid style, President wa Mutharika's achievements: an end to chronicle food shortages, new tarred roads across the length of the country, six new universities being planned for the next ten years, new parliament building, a new five star hotel and international conference center in the capital city Lilongwe, and Nsanje World Inland port connecting Malawi to the Indian Ocean, among others.
Up to until his re-election to a second term in May 2009, President Bingu wa Mutharika enjoyed broad support locally, and wide admiration abroad. Civil society activists held demonstrations in support of his policies against a majority opposition which was seen as only bent on frustrating his development plans. He introduced a farm input subsidy, which is credited for having turned Malawi from a food importer to a food exporter. He was Malawi's first president to become chairperson of the African Union for the year 2010, a development that added to his international credentials which earned him attention on the front pages of major newspapers in the United States [25], Britain [26] and elsewhere [27]. There was renewed hope and pride amongst many Malawians, and President wa Mutharika was seen as the new face of a new Africa.
Compared with the mood in the country today, a lot has changed in a space of two years. A Malawian development economist observed [28] on Nyasanet in May this year:
I was at the world economic forum last month. Only two years [ago] bingu was a hero. Now Malawi was a source of bewilderment.
In an attempt to dissuade Malawians from attending Wednesday's planned demonstrations, the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation has carried news bulletins, on three consecutive evenings, claiming that Malawians are being duped about the demonstrations, whose real aim, the state broadcaster claims, is to show support for gay rights, for which civil society groups have received millions of kwacha. The bulletins have been saying organizers of the demonstrations want to use photographs of demonstrators to show to donors that Malawians support gay rights and same-sex marriages.
Reactions to the government's story have been derided as bordering on the desperate. One reaction posted on Twitter [29] said:
Malawians urged not to listen to MBC TV & Radio on 20 July - coz of its tendency to misinform in news coverage
Another tweet [30] sought to identify a possible irony in a television anchor's attire:
MBC TB news anchor, Nyang'wa in a red tie - maybe in some dress rehearsal for the July 20 demo (dress attire is red)
On February 14 earlier this year civil society organizations planned a demonstration to protest against fuel shortages, but it was stopped by police. According to online newspaper Malawi Voice, the demonstrators were hugely outnumbered by the police [31], who were over 250, against a few dozen protesters, numbering about 30, according to print newspaper The Nation [32].
The leader of that foiled demonstration, Mabvuto Bamusi, has since made a 180 degree turn. He is now frequently invited on national television to provide analysis and commentary that supports government and lambasts his former colleagues in civil society.
Article sourced from Global Voices: http://globalvoicesonline.org
URL to article: http://globalvoicesonline.org/2011/07/19/malawi-arab-spring-spreading-south-of-the-sahara/
URLs in this post:
[1] Image: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=169916843073956
[2] announced: http://www.dfid.gov.uk/Media-Room/Press-releases/2011/Government-to-suspend-general-budget-support-to-Malawi/
[3] expelled: http://globalvoicesonline.org/2010/12/21/malawi-citizens-take-on-vice-presidents-dismissal/
[4] her own party: http://www.nyasatimes.com/politics/malawi%E2%80%99s-vp-socialist-party-launches-in-march.html
[5] ban any publication: http://www.misa.org/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?category=2&id=1303122817
[6] court injunction: http://www.nationmw.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=22790:bingu-signs-injunctions-bill&catid=1:national-news&Itemid=3
[7] University of Malawi: http://www.unima.mw/
[8] shut down: http://globalvoicesonline.org/2011/04/14/a-blog-post-that-closed-the-university-of-malawi/
[9] Malawi Voice: http://www.malawivoice.com/latest-news/800-police-officers-undergoing-special-training-to-counter-20th-july-demonstrations-as-mdf-waits-in-wings/
[10] first appeared: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?A2=NYASANET;abb904c6.1107C
[11] Nyasatimes: http://www.nyasatimes.com/national/americans-warned-of-malawi-demo.html
[12] observed: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?A2=NYASANET;47f3ca3.1107C
[13] reports on Sunday: http://www.nyasatimes.com/national/zodiak-car-smashed-by-bingu-thugs.html
[14] Zodiak Broadcasting Station: http://zodiakmalawi.com/zbs%20malawi/
[15] Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=169916843073956
[16] online newspapers: http://www.malawidemocrat.com/national/programme-of-july-20-demonstrations/
[17] writes: https://www.facebook.com/penjani.gondwe/posts/172021052863535
[18] goes: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=172046599527647&id=100000106964805
[19] militant: https://www.facebook.com/Ngwizzy/posts/172039956194978
[20] quotes: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=171942982871342&id=100002368908313
[21] posted on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10150234330889094&id=522839093
[22] #20July: http://search.twitter.com/search?q=+%2320July
[23] @chiume: https://twitter.com/#!/chiume/status/92695188207706113
[24] Image: http://globalvoicesonline.org/2011/07/19/malawi-arab-spring-spreading-south-of-the-sahara/malawi1-4/
[25] United States: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/02/world/africa/02malawi.html
[26] Britain: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/81059fb4-0e02-11dc-8219-000b5df10621.html
[27] elsewhere: http://www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/afrec/vol22no3/223-harvest-of-hope.html
[28] observed: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?A2=NYASANET;96c316cc.1105D
[29] posted on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Malawi2014/status/92645360350146560
[30] tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/Malawi2014/status/92658583682031616
[31] outnumbered by the police: http://www.malawivoice.com/latest-news/malawians-not-keen-on-fuel-protest-police-out-number-protesters/
[32] The Nation: http://www.nationmw.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14460:malawi-police-foil-fuel-protest&catid=1:national-news&Itemid=3
Monday, July 18, 2011
Mukhito, protect Bingu's people
Written by RAPHAEL TENTHANI
WHY do some Malawians want to be more Malawian than others? Why do some Malawians think their way is good and everyone must follow them?
I am posing these questions because of a shadowy group dubiously calling itself 'Concerned Citizens' that wants to disrupt peaceful demonstrations members of the civil society, joined by some religious groups and opposition parties, are planning to hold across the country this Wednesday to register their dismay at the many problems Malawi is currently facing. The issues range from the twin problems of fuel and foreign exchange (forex) reserves to the dwindling rule of law.
This is nothing criminal in a democracy. In fact protests are the bedrock of democracy as citizens use them to awaken elected leaders who seem to be sleeping on the job. On June 14, 1993 Malawians voted to regain their freedoms. Nearly 20 years later no one should be allowed to unmake what some people risked their lives for.
What the so-called 'Concerned Citizens' are planning to do is a recipe for trouble for the two sides are likely to clash. If our police is truly professional this is time to act. Peter Mukhito, whom President Mutharika dubbed as the best police chief ever, has to rise above politics and reign in these people who want to bring chaos in Malawi.
If the 'Concerned Citizens' disagree with the planned demonstrations they have all the rights to express their views. But, if they want to express their views through demonstrations, they should choose another date for July 20 has already been booked. Otherwise what they are planning to do is criminal.
I believed Bingu when he said Mukhito is the best police chief ever. Let the police chief prove the president right by making sure Bingu's countrymen freely express themselves in the streets without anybody hijacking their democratic right. After all nobody will be breaking any law for protesting against things they think are not right. Those who are planning to disrupt them will fall afoul of the 'Conduct Likely to Breach the Peace' laws and I know my good police chief, Mukhito, will be alert to stop that.
WHY do some Malawians want to be more Malawian than others? Why do some Malawians think their way is good and everyone must follow them?
I am posing these questions because of a shadowy group dubiously calling itself 'Concerned Citizens' that wants to disrupt peaceful demonstrations members of the civil society, joined by some religious groups and opposition parties, are planning to hold across the country this Wednesday to register their dismay at the many problems Malawi is currently facing. The issues range from the twin problems of fuel and foreign exchange (forex) reserves to the dwindling rule of law.
This is nothing criminal in a democracy. In fact protests are the bedrock of democracy as citizens use them to awaken elected leaders who seem to be sleeping on the job. On June 14, 1993 Malawians voted to regain their freedoms. Nearly 20 years later no one should be allowed to unmake what some people risked their lives for.
What the so-called 'Concerned Citizens' are planning to do is a recipe for trouble for the two sides are likely to clash. If our police is truly professional this is time to act. Peter Mukhito, whom President Mutharika dubbed as the best police chief ever, has to rise above politics and reign in these people who want to bring chaos in Malawi.
If the 'Concerned Citizens' disagree with the planned demonstrations they have all the rights to express their views. But, if they want to express their views through demonstrations, they should choose another date for July 20 has already been booked. Otherwise what they are planning to do is criminal.
I believed Bingu when he said Mukhito is the best police chief ever. Let the police chief prove the president right by making sure Bingu's countrymen freely express themselves in the streets without anybody hijacking their democratic right. After all nobody will be breaking any law for protesting against things they think are not right. Those who are planning to disrupt them will fall afoul of the 'Conduct Likely to Breach the Peace' laws and I know my good police chief, Mukhito, will be alert to stop that.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
A Detailed analysis of the Leading Parties and their chances (Part 1)
Source: http://eltasmw.blogspot.com/2009/04/detailed-analysis-of-leading-parties.html
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Blogger: Charles Odziwa
Blantyre Malawi
Bingu wa Mutharika & Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)
Analysts agree that there has not been any time since Malawi turned a multiparty democracy in 1993 that Malawians have had reason to be hopeful of a better future than during the time Bingu has been at the helm of government.
In comparison with Muluzi who ruled the country between 1994 and 2004, Bingu has achieved considerably in his first five year term in various key sectors. Malawi has not begged for food for the past five years, In fact, it has been able to donate food to other countries in Africa. The economy has been stable making the environment conducive to macro-investment. There has also been emphasis on micro-business growth through loans and empowerment of communities to take up industrial production to their scale. And for the first time in the history of this country, Malawi has joined the club of uranium mining nations in the world. Two weeks ago, Bingu commissioned a uranium mine in the North. The mine is expected to add at least 10 percent to the country’s GDP and could be a competitor to Malawi’s main foreign exchange earner tobacco whose fortunes have been on the decline for several years running. The IMF came to Malawi two weeks ago and said they were impressed with the way Malawi’s economy is ticking. An IMF official said in 2009, Malawi’s economy would grow by 6 percent beating the expected regional growth of 3 percent. Towards the end of last year, Malawi’s economy was pitted by the Economic Intelligence Unit as the world’s fastest growing economy.
Education infrastructure has been a feature of his government. So has been road infrastructure which has opened many rural areas, making travelling easier and enabling rural farmers to ferry their produce easily to better markets. Women are lesser being trampled upon now because of Bingu’s empowerment of them. There has been notable improvement in health sector with more infrastructure and incentives for health personnel which has seen a significant reduction in flight of nurses to countries outside Malawi for greener pastures.
He has also cracked down on corruption. There are still cases of corruption going on but the situation has not been as rampant as it was during the time of Muluzi. There has also been relative security for the citizens over the years.
It is on account of the achievements of his government that an opinion poll by one SADC regional body put Bingu way ahead of the rest. His margin of victory in the elections would not be filled even by those of UDF and MCP combined, according to the results by the body, Afro-Barometer.
Pitfalls
It is generally agreed that Bingu has been weak on rule of law. He has at times even questioned and rejected some of the decisions made by the courts, decisions that have not favoured his government. Some fear that given a majority in parliament, Bingu could step over the line and become repressive.
He is not the sort who likes compromises. In all the four previous budget session of parliament, his government side, a minority, has struggled to have the opposition approve the national budget. Not at one time did Bingu move to strike a deal with the opposition for them to change their heart on the budget. Instead, he would lambaste them in mass rallies as being inconsiderate. To a reasonable person, his stance was good anyway, considering the fact that on many such occasions, opposition was just intent on giving Bingu’s government a torrid time. And he has been receiving support from sections of the civil society in that regard. But the opposition has been using his toughness to discredit him.
In spite of his good policies and achievements, Bingu is not an eloquent speaker. His lack of verbal power in vernacular makes him unable to articulate his development agenda with such emotional, mass appeal. Some analysts describe this as his undoing because his rivals in the opposition are rabble rousers of sorts who can present even a senseless, vain point into an electoral weapon.
The coming together of MCP and UDF in an alliance against Bingu is a potential threat to his chances of retaining the presidency. He has dismissed the alliance, saying he will effectively deal with both on May 19.
To be posted tomorrow:
John Tembo & Bakili Muluzi
Malawi Congress Party/United Democratic Front
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Blogger: Charles Odziwa
Blantyre Malawi
Bingu wa Mutharika & Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)
Analysts agree that there has not been any time since Malawi turned a multiparty democracy in 1993 that Malawians have had reason to be hopeful of a better future than during the time Bingu has been at the helm of government.
In comparison with Muluzi who ruled the country between 1994 and 2004, Bingu has achieved considerably in his first five year term in various key sectors. Malawi has not begged for food for the past five years, In fact, it has been able to donate food to other countries in Africa. The economy has been stable making the environment conducive to macro-investment. There has also been emphasis on micro-business growth through loans and empowerment of communities to take up industrial production to their scale. And for the first time in the history of this country, Malawi has joined the club of uranium mining nations in the world. Two weeks ago, Bingu commissioned a uranium mine in the North. The mine is expected to add at least 10 percent to the country’s GDP and could be a competitor to Malawi’s main foreign exchange earner tobacco whose fortunes have been on the decline for several years running. The IMF came to Malawi two weeks ago and said they were impressed with the way Malawi’s economy is ticking. An IMF official said in 2009, Malawi’s economy would grow by 6 percent beating the expected regional growth of 3 percent. Towards the end of last year, Malawi’s economy was pitted by the Economic Intelligence Unit as the world’s fastest growing economy.
Education infrastructure has been a feature of his government. So has been road infrastructure which has opened many rural areas, making travelling easier and enabling rural farmers to ferry their produce easily to better markets. Women are lesser being trampled upon now because of Bingu’s empowerment of them. There has been notable improvement in health sector with more infrastructure and incentives for health personnel which has seen a significant reduction in flight of nurses to countries outside Malawi for greener pastures.
He has also cracked down on corruption. There are still cases of corruption going on but the situation has not been as rampant as it was during the time of Muluzi. There has also been relative security for the citizens over the years.
It is on account of the achievements of his government that an opinion poll by one SADC regional body put Bingu way ahead of the rest. His margin of victory in the elections would not be filled even by those of UDF and MCP combined, according to the results by the body, Afro-Barometer.
Pitfalls
It is generally agreed that Bingu has been weak on rule of law. He has at times even questioned and rejected some of the decisions made by the courts, decisions that have not favoured his government. Some fear that given a majority in parliament, Bingu could step over the line and become repressive.
He is not the sort who likes compromises. In all the four previous budget session of parliament, his government side, a minority, has struggled to have the opposition approve the national budget. Not at one time did Bingu move to strike a deal with the opposition for them to change their heart on the budget. Instead, he would lambaste them in mass rallies as being inconsiderate. To a reasonable person, his stance was good anyway, considering the fact that on many such occasions, opposition was just intent on giving Bingu’s government a torrid time. And he has been receiving support from sections of the civil society in that regard. But the opposition has been using his toughness to discredit him.
In spite of his good policies and achievements, Bingu is not an eloquent speaker. His lack of verbal power in vernacular makes him unable to articulate his development agenda with such emotional, mass appeal. Some analysts describe this as his undoing because his rivals in the opposition are rabble rousers of sorts who can present even a senseless, vain point into an electoral weapon.
The coming together of MCP and UDF in an alliance against Bingu is a potential threat to his chances of retaining the presidency. He has dismissed the alliance, saying he will effectively deal with both on May 19.
To be posted tomorrow:
John Tembo & Bakili Muluzi
Malawi Congress Party/United Democratic Front
Monday, April 27, 2009
RADIO DPP or Radio MBC
Below are comments by Diana Cammack, a dedicated and committed activist with a passion for Malawi. She is currently resident in RSA but keeps a keen interest on whats happening here in Malawi.
"It is sad to see this, but not unusual. In 1994 ARTICLE 19 monitored election coverage and again in 1999, and it was monitored in 2004 by a different group. In all of these elections, MBC and when broadcasting, TVM have been biased. The Ministry's publications and news service are also biased, and when GTZ/NICE called MBC's bluff (giving them vehicles when they said they had none to cover other candidates' rallies) in 1999 campaign, the ruling government did not use the vehicles... So, its a matter of political will.
In my view, it has nothing to do with the ruling party per se (as its been MCP, UDF and now DPP) but this is symptomatic of a need to change the nature of broadcasting ownership in Malawi. There is no need for a Ministry of Info, except to spread propaganda. Instead, there could be an info person attached (and responsible) to a ministry that could advertise its work, e.g., # clinics built, funds received, cases dealt with, babies delivered, etc. These info clerks should have a technical mandate.
The ruling party has many advantages when re=running for govt (which is why parties don't want to let go of power)... and control of the media is only one. Imagine if we see this abuse of media because its aimed at the public, what other abuses of govt resources might go on?! Remember, the K187m that was pilferred from the Min of Educ was used to win the 1999 election.
So, how to get a govt in power that is willing to abolish the current Min of Info and set up a new system of public media? which of the parties/presidential candidates do you trust to do that? If none, then what is civil society prepared to do the get change underway?
D"
"It is sad to see this, but not unusual. In 1994 ARTICLE 19 monitored election coverage and again in 1999, and it was monitored in 2004 by a different group. In all of these elections, MBC and when broadcasting, TVM have been biased. The Ministry's publications and news service are also biased, and when GTZ/NICE called MBC's bluff (giving them vehicles when they said they had none to cover other candidates' rallies) in 1999 campaign, the ruling government did not use the vehicles... So, its a matter of political will.
In my view, it has nothing to do with the ruling party per se (as its been MCP, UDF and now DPP) but this is symptomatic of a need to change the nature of broadcasting ownership in Malawi. There is no need for a Ministry of Info, except to spread propaganda. Instead, there could be an info person attached (and responsible) to a ministry that could advertise its work, e.g., # clinics built, funds received, cases dealt with, babies delivered, etc. These info clerks should have a technical mandate.
The ruling party has many advantages when re=running for govt (which is why parties don't want to let go of power)... and control of the media is only one. Imagine if we see this abuse of media because its aimed at the public, what other abuses of govt resources might go on?! Remember, the K187m that was pilferred from the Min of Educ was used to win the 1999 election.
So, how to get a govt in power that is willing to abolish the current Min of Info and set up a new system of public media? which of the parties/presidential candidates do you trust to do that? If none, then what is civil society prepared to do the get change underway?
D"
Sunday, April 26, 2009
MALAWI'S RADIO DPP or RADIO MBC
Came across the Broadcasting Monitoring report published by MACRA in the papers last week and was quite disappointed to see the domination of the airwaves from MBC & TVM.
Media coverage by the 2 state owned Media house, Television Malawi (TVM) and Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) has not been balanced and fair with most of the political coverage being in favour of the current ruling party, the DPP.
MBC,by far the oldest radio station in the country with the widest national coverage had 100% positive coverage for DPP and TVM, the only local TV station in the country, had 93% coverage in DPP's favour.
Came across the following case of a similar situation that took place in 1999. This makes for interesting reading and can be used as a precedent for a similar case with the current state of affairs.
Malawi voters celebrate: media coverage of elections must be fair.
Dr. Charles Kafumba& Ors. vs The Electoral Commission & Anor.
High Court of Malawi
Misc. Cause No. 35 of 1999
June 1999
While this ruling was made in 1999 it stands to be respected today
THE HIGH COURT of Malawi, Mkandawire J. presiding, ordered the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) to give equitable coverage to all political parties and all presidential candidates in the general election held last May. It held that the live coverage by MBC of the incumbent president's rallies during which campaign statements promoting the ruling party were made not only violated the Communications Act and the Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Act, but also amounted to unfair discrimination, which was contrary to section 20 of the Malawi Constitution.
Facts
Three Malawi citizens instituted an action in the High Court against the Malawi Electoral Commission and the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation seeking a determination by the court that the Electoral Commission had a duty in law to ensure the electoral process was free and fair; that equal access to the media for all competitors in the election was an integral part of holding free and fair elections; that the Electoral Commission had failed to ensure for all competitors equal and fair access to the state media.
Further, the plaintiffs asked the court to determine that the MBC was under an obligation to accord equal or free and fair access to its facilities to all competitors in the electoral process; that it had accorded preferential treatment and access to the ruling United Democratic Front and its presidential candidate, President Bakili Muluzi, and other of its candidates; and that MBC had violated its legal obligation to the nation and to all other competitors in the electoral process by failing to accord such competitors equal and fair access to its broadcasting facilities.
The plaintiffs therefore asked the court to give declarations and directions that the electoral commission be ordered to take the necessary steps to ensure free and fair elections by ensuring that all competitors in the election receive equal and/or fair access to all state controlled media and in particular, the MBC; and specifically to ensure that the MBC was in compliance with the provisions of relevant law. They also asked the court to order MBC to comply with the two Acts and the Constitution as well as internationally recognised practice to give all competitors equal access to its facilities during the campaign period.
Decision
The court dismissed the claim against the Electoral Commission, who were the first defendants in the case, after finding from the available evidence that the Commission had "done all that it can do to ensure that all political parties have free and equal access to the MBC." Turning to the case against the MBC, the court reviewed counsel's submissions that it was an age old practice in Malawi to broadcast live all presidential functions, but observed that the plaintiffs were not questioning such live coverage of presidential functions. What they were questioning was the live coverage of campaign messages during those functions.
They did not want such coverage to be shut down in the event that campaign messages were slipped in but rather they wanted all candidates and parties to be treated equally; which meant that if in the process of presidential functions campaign messages were covered live then the same should be accorded to all political parties and election candidates. The court agreed with the plaintiffs' contention that current practice by the MBC violated s. 45 (1) (f) of the Communications Act and s. 58 of the Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Act, which provide that all political parties and elections candidates be given equitable or equal treatment during election or campaign period.
"To give live coverage to one party and its candidates is not only in breach of the above Sections but it is also discriminatory," observed the court adding that discrimination was outlawed by s. 20 of the Malawi Constitution. The court concluded: "If campaign messages are broadcast live at a presidential function, then equal treatment means that campaign rallies of other political parties or… other presidential candidates be broadcast live. That would give (them) an opportunity to reply to some of the matters raised. That is what equitable treatment of political parties and elections candidates would entail….[E]qual treatment of all competitors is a component of free and fair elections." The court found the MBC in breach of the relevant law as well as the Malawi Constitution and directed it to comply with those provisions. Costs were awarded to the plaintiff.
Commentary
The ruling of the Malawi court in this case comes as a breath of fresh air in the area of election coverage in the region. Almost without exception, incumbent parties have the habit of hijacking state resources to campaign for their candidates during and in between elections. ARTICLE 19 has monitored broadcasting coverage of elections in Kenya, Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe and found that public broadcasters are unashamedly partisan.
One of the loopholes that is frequently exploited is that the broadcaster merely covers presidential functions and is helpless to do anything to stop abuse by a president or politicians of his party who uses the forum to campaign for the ruling party. The MBC tried to use the same argument, but the court refused to have wool pulled over its eyes in this way. It is hoped that judges elsewhere shall follow Mkandawire J's bold example especially as the region prepares for another round of general elections.
Media coverage by the 2 state owned Media house, Television Malawi (TVM) and Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) has not been balanced and fair with most of the political coverage being in favour of the current ruling party, the DPP.
MBC,by far the oldest radio station in the country with the widest national coverage had 100% positive coverage for DPP and TVM, the only local TV station in the country, had 93% coverage in DPP's favour.
Came across the following case of a similar situation that took place in 1999. This makes for interesting reading and can be used as a precedent for a similar case with the current state of affairs.
Malawi voters celebrate: media coverage of elections must be fair.
Dr. Charles Kafumba& Ors. vs The Electoral Commission & Anor.
High Court of Malawi
Misc. Cause No. 35 of 1999
June 1999
While this ruling was made in 1999 it stands to be respected today
THE HIGH COURT of Malawi, Mkandawire J. presiding, ordered the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) to give equitable coverage to all political parties and all presidential candidates in the general election held last May. It held that the live coverage by MBC of the incumbent president's rallies during which campaign statements promoting the ruling party were made not only violated the Communications Act and the Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Act, but also amounted to unfair discrimination, which was contrary to section 20 of the Malawi Constitution.
Facts
Three Malawi citizens instituted an action in the High Court against the Malawi Electoral Commission and the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation seeking a determination by the court that the Electoral Commission had a duty in law to ensure the electoral process was free and fair; that equal access to the media for all competitors in the election was an integral part of holding free and fair elections; that the Electoral Commission had failed to ensure for all competitors equal and fair access to the state media.
Further, the plaintiffs asked the court to determine that the MBC was under an obligation to accord equal or free and fair access to its facilities to all competitors in the electoral process; that it had accorded preferential treatment and access to the ruling United Democratic Front and its presidential candidate, President Bakili Muluzi, and other of its candidates; and that MBC had violated its legal obligation to the nation and to all other competitors in the electoral process by failing to accord such competitors equal and fair access to its broadcasting facilities.
The plaintiffs therefore asked the court to give declarations and directions that the electoral commission be ordered to take the necessary steps to ensure free and fair elections by ensuring that all competitors in the election receive equal and/or fair access to all state controlled media and in particular, the MBC; and specifically to ensure that the MBC was in compliance with the provisions of relevant law. They also asked the court to order MBC to comply with the two Acts and the Constitution as well as internationally recognised practice to give all competitors equal access to its facilities during the campaign period.
Decision
The court dismissed the claim against the Electoral Commission, who were the first defendants in the case, after finding from the available evidence that the Commission had "done all that it can do to ensure that all political parties have free and equal access to the MBC." Turning to the case against the MBC, the court reviewed counsel's submissions that it was an age old practice in Malawi to broadcast live all presidential functions, but observed that the plaintiffs were not questioning such live coverage of presidential functions. What they were questioning was the live coverage of campaign messages during those functions.
They did not want such coverage to be shut down in the event that campaign messages were slipped in but rather they wanted all candidates and parties to be treated equally; which meant that if in the process of presidential functions campaign messages were covered live then the same should be accorded to all political parties and election candidates. The court agreed with the plaintiffs' contention that current practice by the MBC violated s. 45 (1) (f) of the Communications Act and s. 58 of the Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Act, which provide that all political parties and elections candidates be given equitable or equal treatment during election or campaign period.
"To give live coverage to one party and its candidates is not only in breach of the above Sections but it is also discriminatory," observed the court adding that discrimination was outlawed by s. 20 of the Malawi Constitution. The court concluded: "If campaign messages are broadcast live at a presidential function, then equal treatment means that campaign rallies of other political parties or… other presidential candidates be broadcast live. That would give (them) an opportunity to reply to some of the matters raised. That is what equitable treatment of political parties and elections candidates would entail….[E]qual treatment of all competitors is a component of free and fair elections." The court found the MBC in breach of the relevant law as well as the Malawi Constitution and directed it to comply with those provisions. Costs were awarded to the plaintiff.
Commentary
The ruling of the Malawi court in this case comes as a breath of fresh air in the area of election coverage in the region. Almost without exception, incumbent parties have the habit of hijacking state resources to campaign for their candidates during and in between elections. ARTICLE 19 has monitored broadcasting coverage of elections in Kenya, Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe and found that public broadcasters are unashamedly partisan.
One of the loopholes that is frequently exploited is that the broadcaster merely covers presidential functions and is helpless to do anything to stop abuse by a president or politicians of his party who uses the forum to campaign for the ruling party. The MBC tried to use the same argument, but the court refused to have wool pulled over its eyes in this way. It is hoped that judges elsewhere shall follow Mkandawire J's bold example especially as the region prepares for another round of general elections.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
“THE ENEMY OF MY ENEMY IS MY FRIEND” (Arabian Proverb)
The Chinese have a similar proverb that says, "It is good to strike the serpent's head with your enemy's hand."
These proverbs seem quite appropriate for the current political scenario rolling out in Malawi. The ‘surprise’ move by 2 of the largest parties to merge has drastically changes the demographics for the upcoming elections.
Some say this was the plan all along hence Brown Mpinganjira’s move to join the MCP tag team early in the race. According to some, the strategy was for former president Bakili Muluzi to submit his nomination papers knowing all along that the chances were slim for his nomination to go through. The rejection would be shown as political manoeuvrings by the ruling party to block him from contesting and hence reflect badly on them. This was reinforced by the ill-timed ACB case against him that ‘surprising’ came up just before the elections.
Some political analysts have always maintained that JZU Tembo’s (MCP) chances for the top job were already strong. The reasoning was simple mathematics: with the Southern region split 3 way between the 3 main parties, and MCP’s strength giving them the lead in the centre it was almost a given that JZU would be the next President of Malawi.
Other analysts felt that before the coalition, independent polls seemed to swing in the favour of the ruling DPP party, but this new development swings the pendulum in favour of the coalition. Muluzi & JZU, both formidable forces even when their own, will make a lethal force when combined. With these two giants joining forces the outcome of these results seems inevitable. JZU’s long awaited dream of becoming the President of Malawi will soon be realised.
One wonders what happens at the Parliamentary Elections level. Will the prospective MPs from these two parties compete with each other and split the vote in so doing paving the way to victory for DPP contestants? If the coalition is to have one candidate for each seat who would concede their candidate?
These proverbs seem quite appropriate for the current political scenario rolling out in Malawi. The ‘surprise’ move by 2 of the largest parties to merge has drastically changes the demographics for the upcoming elections.
Some say this was the plan all along hence Brown Mpinganjira’s move to join the MCP tag team early in the race. According to some, the strategy was for former president Bakili Muluzi to submit his nomination papers knowing all along that the chances were slim for his nomination to go through. The rejection would be shown as political manoeuvrings by the ruling party to block him from contesting and hence reflect badly on them. This was reinforced by the ill-timed ACB case against him that ‘surprising’ came up just before the elections.
Some political analysts have always maintained that JZU Tembo’s (MCP) chances for the top job were already strong. The reasoning was simple mathematics: with the Southern region split 3 way between the 3 main parties, and MCP’s strength giving them the lead in the centre it was almost a given that JZU would be the next President of Malawi.
Other analysts felt that before the coalition, independent polls seemed to swing in the favour of the ruling DPP party, but this new development swings the pendulum in favour of the coalition. Muluzi & JZU, both formidable forces even when their own, will make a lethal force when combined. With these two giants joining forces the outcome of these results seems inevitable. JZU’s long awaited dream of becoming the President of Malawi will soon be realised.
One wonders what happens at the Parliamentary Elections level. Will the prospective MPs from these two parties compete with each other and split the vote in so doing paving the way to victory for DPP contestants? If the coalition is to have one candidate for each seat who would concede their candidate?
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