Bingu’s AU chair endorsement ‘a new opportunity for change’ -Watchdog

Malawi human rights campaigners have welcomed the endorsement by Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders of President Dr Bingu wa Mutharika to head the African Union (AU) in 2010 and hopes that he will put to an end the abuse of human rights defenders on the continent when he takes over the chairmanship.

A decision to proffer Wa Mutharika for the AU chairman to replace Muammar Gadaffi of Libya was reached at a SADC meeting held last month.

The AU chairmanship operates on rotational basis, and next year it’s the turn for SADC and the region’s leaders have earmarked Malawi President for the position.

The Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) says it is excited with the endorsement because the body has an observer status with the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights and is an elected member of the General Assembly of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the African Union (ECOSOCC), an organ established by African Heads of State and Government following the adoption of the Consultative Act of the AU on 11July, 2000.   

“It is our hope, as CHRR, that with our own President at the helm of this important continental body, it will be easier to address issues of human rights, good governance and constitutionals on the continent,” said CHRR in a statement e-mailed to Nyasa Times by Michael Kaiyatsa Programme Assistant. 

CHRR noted that President Mutharika will assume the AU chairmanship at a time when the continent is facing numerous challenges. Top among the challenges, CHRR pointed out, are the protracted conflicts in Somalia, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the constant threats to human rights in Gambia, Ethiopia, Niger, Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea.  

“We at CHRR are also deeply concerned on the continuing harassment, intimidation and abuse of human rights defenders on the continent, particularly in countries like Gambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Niger, Somalia and the Sudan,” the statement said.  

The rights watchdog said in Gambia, human rights defenders have been targeted in a blatant campaign designed to silence human rights activists who speak for justice, and instill fear in civil society organizations and their leaders.  

“Just a few days ago, Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh, threatened to kill all human rights defenders in and those entering the country who are speaking out for justice. Human rights activists are facing similar threats in other parts of the African continent, besides Gambia.”

 CHRR said the threats are not only threatening the enjoyment of human rights by the citizens of the AU, but also restricting the vital work of human rights workers on the continent.  

“We, CHRR, therefore, take this opportunity to appeal to President Mutharika to use his position when he assumes the chairmanship of the AU in January next year to put an end to the harassment, intimidation and abuse of human rights defenders on the continent,”  

The rights campaigner appealed to President Mutharika and the AU to take a strong stand on the Gambia and condemn President Jammeh for threatening to kill human rights activists who are working in and entering his country.

“The AU should send a clear message to the Gambian leader that such threats have no place in the African Union and will not be tolerated.   These remarks do not give a good image to African Union taking into consideration that the Gambia is the Headquarters of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights,” said the Malawi rights group.

CHRR said it joins other human rights groups on the continent who are demanding that the African Union Human Rights Commission headquarters be removed from the Gambia capital, Banjul, to a different country “as Gambia is no longer a suitable place to house the Commission”. 

Nonetheless, the rights campaigners noted that intimidation, harassment and abuse of human rights defenders are not only taking place outside Malawi but also within the southern African nation.

“It is not a secret that some human rights defenders within Malawi have received death threats while others have been threatened with litigation simply for speaking out for justice on behalf of the voiceless,” said the statement.

Recently, CHRR executive director Undule Mwakasungula is reported to be death threatened and has been sued by opposition leader John Tembo over alleged defamation   linking his name to the mysterious death of his former protégé-turned critic Ishmael Chafukira.

Late Chafukira’s death is currently under probe.

CHRR urged President Mutharika to attach top priority to the protection of Africa’s human rights defenders.  

The rights body also made a call for AU to address human rights violations and impunity in conflict zones like Zimbabwe, Somalia and Sudan.  

CHRR asked Mutharika to take a serious step to address the longstanding problem of impunity by asking the UN Security Council to establish a UN Commission of Inquiry into the worst human rights abuses in the affected countries.  

“Most importantly, President Mutharika should encourage fellow AU heads of state and government to cooperate fully with the International Criminal Court (ICC) to bring to justice Sudan President Omar Hassan Al-bashir, who is being accused of war crimes and crime against humanity. Such cooperation would send a clear message of solidarity and healing to the victims of human rights violations that African leaders are acting in response to their suffering,” said the statement

CHRR also said it would like the AU under President Mutharika to take a strong stance on Zimbabwe and ensure that the country returns to constitutionalism, rule of law and for the country to hold democratic elections which will pave way for a new democratic Zimbabwe.  

Another appeal said Mutharika as AU Chair should guarantee the promotion and protection of human rights on the continent by putting in place measures that prevent or discourage arms trade deals which are fueling gross human rights violations in countries such as Zimbabwe, Chad, DRC, Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea.  

“We take due note of the fact that the arms trade between the west , China and African governments are fueling conflicts and crisis on the African continent  are having serious implications for human rights enjoyment and economic advancement  on our continent.”  

The rights group also asked Mutharika to attach top priority to the protection of Africa’s environment and natural resources when he assumes the chairmanship of the AU.

CHRR noted that Mutharika, a passionate advocate of the Green Belt concept, has transformed food production in Malawi through his visionary leadership to such an extent that food shortage in Malawi is now no longer an issue in many parts of the country.  

“We hope, through his leadership at the AU, President Mutharika will have the same vision for Africa of transforming agriculture so that the whole continent can be food secure. And we hope through his statesmanship and exemplary leadership, the President will inspire fellow heads of state and AU citizens to think broadly and adopt cost-effective ways and means of overcoming food insecurity on the continent,” said the rights group.  

The watchdog said it recognize the right to food as being one of the most fundamental of rights.

“There can never be development on the African continent –and no poverty eradication –unless people have enough food. We, therefore, urge Dr. Mutharika to put food security on top of his AU top development agenda as he assumes the AU,” said the statement.

Many commentators on politics and economy in Malawi have commented in favour of Mutharika’s AU chairmanship saying it is credible for Africa to be headed by Malawi for the coming year, as the country’s President is credited for a good record on economic front as well as food security.

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