Catholic priest says Malawi is sliding into civil war
An influential Catholic priest has told warring parties in the May 21 presidential poll results to find a quick solution, saying the political impasse is slowly sliding Malawi into a civil war.
Father Boniface Tamani, Vicar –general of the Archdiocese of Blantyre Monsignor, said this on Sunday during his homily in Chilomoni, Blantyre.
He said he was in Mozambique when the civil war started in the 1970s, saying the war was started slowly with similar reasons.
He also condemned the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) sanctioned protests, saying they are breeding violence and chaos in the country.
“We would not want to destroy Malawi this way,” said Tamani.
HRDC chairman Timothy Mtambo said the peaceful protests are hijacked by criminals and told the police to arrest perpetrators of the looting and violence and ensure protection of lives of people and property.
Mtambo has since rejected Inspector General of police Rodney Jose’s order to stop the protests.
In Lilongwe, Reverend Baswell Basikolo has called on Lingadzi CCAP congregants to avoid violence during the protests.
Basikolo was speaking at Lingadzi CCAP during his unveiling to the congregation having been transferred from Mvama CCAP.
He said as Christians, the protesters should always be peaceful and avoid engaging in violent activities.
Boniface Tamani should know that servicemen in the MDF have already seen the bigger picture that may emerge in Malawi. That is why whenever they are demonstrations organised by those against Jane Ansah, they always show up to figure out who will cause problems to the marchers. Remember how these servicemen pounced on those cadets who were sent to beat up demonstrators that had convened at Kamuzu Upper Stadium in Blantyre. They reacted with due speed. That is why MDF has reiterated the essence of observing Section 160 of the Republican Constitution. As such the statement on the civil war alluded to is merely a smoke screen intended to hide the concerns of those who are calling for Jane to step down.If anything the statement is intended to invoke fear among peaceful demonstrators. Malawi will not witness anyone so daft as to cause trouble to spark the said civil war. Malawi is not Mozambique. MDF will managed the situation professionally.
what Tamani is saying is very much true and i can say it is a prophecy but what i can say its the quickest solution to end this is to advice ansah to resign Otherwise condemning HRDC its not a solution lets kill the root course of this violence
If we can fail to sort this out know for sure we will never have good leaders and no democracy i as aman of God the only solution of this problem is mr president must command her out of office otherwise demos will not end
you can see DPP is using vendors, some religious leaders and police to end demos which is bad
lastly president since 21 may is just quite the only point from his mounth is i will use force to force
please what is needed is not prayer but Jane to step down
We are all malawians lets stand for truth bible its a Holly book we should not use it to entimidets others
God bless you Man of God
Zikunena Tamani zikufanana ndi kuti mnyumba mwalowa njoka, ndiye mmalo moipha, ukutsinzina (kutseka maso) ndikumaganiza kuti chifukwa choti sukuyiwona ndiye kuti yapita. Chofunika ndi kutenga ndodo kupha njokayo osati kumatseka maso kuti usayiwone.
Hahahahahaha influential priest my foot. In simple terms Tamani is a DPP cadet masquerading as Vicar General period. Even his sermons he openly take sides by being a royal DPP cadet.
“If you are emotionally attached to your tribe, religion or political leaning to the point that truth and justice become secondary considerations, your education is useless. Your exposure is useless. If you cannot reason beyond petty sentiments, you are a liability to mankind.” Dr. Chuba Okadigho (late)
Fr Tamani kwao ndi ku Mazabiki. He has never hidden his DPP sympathies and can be labelled a top cadet.
Why do you keep such an arrogant and biased priest as Vicar General for the Catholic Church?
AWANSO AKUFUNA KUTIWUZA CHANI IDIOT HYPOCRIT
If its civil war then lets embrace it, Angola, Mozambique, Rwanda were all at war and they are so progressive than docile Malawians, Somalia will overtake us soon economically, akuti Peace loving country za Zii…umphawi uli tho!…taona kale kuti apolice ndi asilikali mulibe kalikonse interms of personnel and armory, Lilongwe population only can chase you within a blink of an eye, u r outnumbered but just be thankful that we have a docile population.
Tamani is a Phalombean and a DPP through and through. He is not fit to be a Vicar General; a person who leads church members of varying political affiliations. His utterences are catalysts for civil war.
a country that ignores truth justice and rhiteousness is doomed /lost —
I quote Thomas of Aquinas (Political Philosophy) and Augustinian philosophy which Fr. Tamani Knows-the government without justice is just a bunch of robbers and Thomas gave people right to revolt
Overconfidence of losers during campaign period has made them not to accept defeat.
Enough is enough Matchona atiwonongera dziko awa, we will take them head on, the time people were fighting for change munali uko ku America, change came now you want to destroy our hard earned freedom with a cup of coffee, you must be joking, go back to where you came from, we only have one Malawi, we don’t have any where to stay, so leave us in peace, Matchona nonse ! you are so disgusting!
Fellow Malawians, why is it that we are labelling “cadet” every voice of reason that critically analyses the political impasse in our country? What’s wrong with Father Tamani’s prophetic insight? Let’s not run headlong into self destruction because of ignorance.
dear Malawians its extra difficult for jane ansah madando 147 to be fired or resign because she has those powers of presidency (powered by peter) I think you understand what I mean ( if jane goes the old useless man is gone too)
Nyasa Times, could you please make a correction on the name of the reverend. It is not Rev Baswell Basikolo but Rev Baswell Banda
had it been there was no zinyengo in the elections , pano kulibe ma demo.
a malawi anadzuka usiku kukavota ndi ndhidhi kuyembekezera kusintha ka kayendetsedwe kadziko, koma zose ndi mabwana analakwitsa zedi. pitala knew kuti pano a mw ali ndi tune cina ,he went on kumagawa ndalama kuti alamulileso. ataona kuti atha kuseselela.
.
ma voti asanathe kiwelengedwa jeni anangokwefuka then kungoulutsa owina.
pano akulephera kucita reverse galimoto, ..
hrdc is peaceful.
Demokracy sitikuivetsa when pitala impose himself on us .
when jen preached wat she dint do
when jose is threatening us kuti tisapange ma demo.
dont you see pali mpungwe pungwe?????
a mw angofuna cilungamo basi osati conditional Love
mukandisankha ndizasandutsa mw ngati singapore. mocking the nation.
how could a typical malawian villager wa ku bt sanaone nyanja, wa ku lilongwe sanaone ku blantyre be told of singapore, aint this mockery and insult to us?
aint this insanity, pls pls
ma demo siatha mpaka tione justice.
KHO.. KHO…KHO…. U have said it all @ Njolo Mpilu
Wamsembe from Blantyre ndi chani chomwe anga nene chanzeru ? He sees the truth kuti vuto its peter munthalika and jane ansa … why cant you tell to accept the demand of the people?
One rerun people want corrupt free elections no, rigging justice for all. Election were rigged and marred irregularities mkati aliyense akudziwa in this country DPP sinawine nde chilungamo.
Two blantyre jane ansa achoke she connived and accept corruption in an election ndi peter munthalika … akukakamila thinks we are stupid awuzeni achoke …and the checks mmene anthu azipani and ma lawyers akufuna umboni wa zisankho ndi a MEC zapezeka kuti DPP imakhala number 3 from chilima pa upresident not mp.. CHAKWERA number one.
Jane ansa announced Munthalika winner what a hell in Malawi mean while Peter ndi lawyer jane ansa lawyer ALL.FROM BLANTYRE SHITY.
Judge’s in LILONGWE they will turn the judgement mokomera a aliyense you will now that in Lilongwe they’re uncorruptable judges.
Don’t love president because of regions NO LOOK AT THE FUTURE, STUPID PROFESSOR
Tamani is a full DPP cadet. People like you Tamani will make Malawi suffer more and remain poorest in the world. I always don’t like your services. Just continue enjoying the benefits you are getting from your party DPP. Timakudziwa iwe.
Fr Tamani go to hello. tell your lhomwes never steal elections
ROOTCAUSES OF WHAT IS HAPPENING
I join this discussion as a peace and security expert in Africa. I agree with the man of God that Malawi at this point is drifting into anarchy and all the conditions have been fulfilled and we must be careful otherwise we are going to regret and no one is going to win at the end we are going to be losers of one thing or the other. Take this the wound that we are making now if we continue poking it carelessly will never heal for generations and generations to come.First of all, what is happening is not all about the Tippexed elections, but about structural problems which we have ignored for a long time. These are poverty and unemployment of the youth. You will agree with me that the demos are engulfed with the youth and those who have nothing to do(unemployed).The other issue is about ethnic or regional mobilization of political supporters by major parties since our democracy. This have breed what we call patronage democracy where we experience ethnic expressive voting people voting a candidate because is from their tribe or region expecting to benefit once in power through appointments in government, developmental projects or recruitment in government or going to embassies.The other issue is about marginalization perception by people from other regions and tribes. This is to say if today the president is Chewa so Chewas and central region will carry the Day if tommorow the president is Tumbuka Tumbukas and northern region will carry the day. This is where we have destroyed our democracy for the past 25 years. Paternalism has killed Malawi.
Solution or peacebuilding approaches to follow:
Short term measures
1.Election case: The case in court is so crucial because it is the trigger that have made the situation worse otherwise the real issues or root cause of all this are those factors mentioned. Get me write. If our boys and girls were employed and living a better life, they cannot go to demos. If farmers were getting good prices they wont go to demos, if those employed are living in good condition they can not support demos. But people are demonstrating out of the anger of the root causes mentioned above. Therefore Just must be done at the courts because there is no peace without justice. The judges should neither side with the opposition or the government everybody should be satisfied with the judgement after looking at each and very evidence by the two parties in court. Evidence from both sides should be allowed not barred for any reason in order to have a sound judgement.
2.Peacebuilding activities: There is a need to start healing process of both aggrieved parties both government and opposition by various stakeholders.
Political parties: Telling supporters to restrain from violence, Avoid hatred political leader speeches,Avoid ethnic attacks of any tribe. Send peacebuilding messeges to masses.
Religious leaders: My plea is that they should come together and lobby for a pre election judgement meeting of our disagreeing leaders in order to start defusing the tension before judgement because what is clear Malawians whatever way the judgement will go reconciliation and restrain is much needed to avoid vengeance that have destroyed African countries in trouble today. The reconciliation process will continue even after the results and there should be a give and take not a win- win situation.
Police: Police is so crucial now it has to put short measures to restore its image and trust with the public. It should not be seen as fighting the public this is a very grave mistake at this moment. Community policing branch should reach out to communities on the importance of peace in society. The police should avoid any heavy handed reaction against the public because the situation can explode.it should not take sides. They should respect human rights and any rights in the constitution including right to assembly and demonstrate peacefully and unarmed according to section 38 of our constitution
Army:They should remain neutral and deal with perpertrors of violence according to the constitution to protect government and people of Malawi.
Media: The media should start more peacebuilding programmes and disseminate messeges of nationbuilding.Media should be the vehicle of peace education messeges so as to unite Malawiansregardless where they come from. They should avoid publishing or airing hate messeges to the public because this is dangerous.it costed Rwanda in 1994 up to genocide.Conflict sensitive reporting workshops should be conducted by wellwishers.
Families:The parenys have a role to advise their children to desist from any violent acts during this period.They should give messeges of love and unity.
Chiefs: it is high time that chiefs should play a very big role.They should not take part but unite their subjects to be agents of peace in their community.
NGOs:They should be active in mainstreaming peace messeges as they are rolling out their activities in the community without taking sides.They should assure the community that development is possible where there is peace and security.They should encourage communities to love one another in order to prosper and avoid violence.
District Peace Committees/Multiparty Liason Committees: This is the time to devise district specific measures to ensure peace and calm continues during this period without infringing anybody’s rights.They should be convening meetings at district level, and community level meeting with political stakeholders such as district political committees, Area political committees about importance of maintaining peace and security.
Long term measures
1.Electoral reform 50+1
2.Measures and strategies to ensure Elections Integrity and transparency to avoid electoral malpractices and rigging.
3.MEC independence through appointment of the Chairperson of MEC in a transparent and competitive recruitment not by single authority.
4.Revamp and restructure MEC at Headquarters, Region and district: Suggestion: To have also the Chairperson at district level and staff not only MEC clerks as the case today. These are juniors. There should be District Elections Officers with staff and elections councilors from political parties as the setting at the National level where we have commissioners. At district level results will be announced complaints handled and results certified by what may be called either constitutional/Electoral courts before certifying results to be sent to national tally centre.
5.Establishment of Malawi Peace Commission(MPC) as outlined in the National Peace Policy(NPC).The committee may be instituted even now to take the task after the judgement of the case in court. This will be seen to be independent if backed by Act of Parliament
Conclusion
We need to forge a head as Malawians despite the current situation regardless of where one comes from.We are all Malawians,United WE stand divided We fall. AMEN
PEACE LOVER, MALAWI
I think civil will be good for us so that Malawians will come to realise politicians do not have the best interests of Malawi at heart – they are in politics solely to achieve their selfish desires.
Indeed HRDC is contemplating civil strife
Do these leaders have families with business and jobs to protect?
Mnkhrisitu wanu wakatolika SCK ndiamene akukolezera from a dark corner
My bottle of tippex is missing. Anyone seen It?
I urge the Catholic Priests to ask Mutharika to fire Jane Ansah,.or ask Jane to resign. This heartless woman is the cause for all protests being conducted in Malawi.
If it is true that Fr Taman condemned HRDC, then he is wrong because he is condemning the wrong person. He should in strongest terms condemn Jane Ansah and Apm because they the ones who are sliding our nation into a civil war. HDRC members are very clear that if Ansah resigns, demonstrations will stop. If APM fires JAne Ansah, demonstrations will stop. However, I respect Fr Taman and i dont think he really condemned HRDC.
PETER DOESN’T HAVE CHILDREN IN THE COUNTRY –‘-ANSAH MADANDO 147 DOESN’T HAVE CHILDREN IN THE COUNTRY ‘—GOODAL DOESN’T HAVE CHILDREN IN MALAWI –‘
IT’S YOU AND ME SUFFERING BECAUSE OF ANSAH AND PETER —
Shame on you Tamani. Who doesnt know you are a cadet? If civil war becomes a means of bringing sanity to this country so be it. The poverty levels and filthy corruption is already worse than a civil war.
Another thug in clerical garbs. Which civil war? No one is sharpening knives. For a long time we’ve held this man in high esteem well as the sun sets he now has started dancing throwing off his clerical sanity even his clothes he is for sure mentally deranged. He can’t refer to the core issues for example Jane Ansah plus or minus resignation. Clerics are in the sacred service of the society this buffoon has not only slipped even slid into a nepotistic pit he won’t claw his way back wadzimbidwa
Stupid reasoning why can’t you see the big picture
TRUTH JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL SET MALAWI FREE !!
Well, there is some truth to this though
Peter is the source of all , how is bringing problems and teach people to be stubborn thief
Its so interesting that people who call themselves men of God and all the learned category are trying to defend a lie. sure ,cant they see the big picture of Ansah and Peter.