Malawi NGOs cautioned against partisan politics

The Council for Non-Governmental Organisations in Malawi (CONGOMA) have cautioned NGOs in the country against being used by politicians from both sides of the political divide to take a partisan stand on issues of national importance.

Addressing representatives of NGOs from the southern region of Malawi, CONGOMA Regional Chairman for the South, Pastor George Chaima noted that some of its member organisations were being used by either government or opposition politicians to either defeat the cause of justice or derail the country's democratic process.

"We have information that even money has been exchanging hands between politicians and those behind the NGOs," said Chaima.

"After getting the money, these organisations make a lot of unnecessary noise either in support of government or the opposition. Some have even been mobilised to march in support of government on issues, which are not right. Where are we going," wondered Chaima.

He said, by taking a partisan stand on crucial issues, which directly affect people, the NGOs were doing the people of Malawi a great disservice.

"As NGOs, we have to stand for the truth always. We should not stifle justice, to please those in power or opposition. We are the hope of the people. Therefore, we need to speak for them and defend them from any form of abuse from any quarter of the society," he said.

On the controversial Section 65 of the Malawi Constitution, which empowers the Speaker National Assembly to declare vacant all seats of legislators who switched parties, Chaima said NGOs should handle this matter with sobriety, without being partisan.

"We need to look at this issue with positive minds without taking sides. This is a serious matter, Which could drag our nation into total mayhem," he said.

Government risks losing over 70 MPs it poached from the opposition if the Speaker applies Section 65.

"We need to listen to all concerned parties and help them work out a solution to this effect to save our country from imminent turmoil," said Chaima in apparent reference to the current political impasse resulting from the section.

During the last sitting of the budget session of parliament, some NGOs were being mobilised by government to demonstrate against opposition parliamentarians on their stand on section 65.

Some of them alongside University of Malawi Students even paid vigil for almost a week at the gate leading to the parliament building in Lilongwe.