CSOs give Malawi govt ultimatum to explain on Information Bill

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are pressing President Peter Mutharika’s government to explain to Malawians on real reasons why the executive is failing to table, discuss and pass Access to Information Bill (ATI) in Parliament to enhance democratic principles which are some of its core values.

CSOs addressing a news conference on ATI Bill
CSOs addressing a news conference on ATI Bill

CSOs operating under the umbrella of Citizen Alliance have expressed surprise on why the DPP –led government is not taking it seriously to table the bill.

Citizen Alliance Executive Secretary, Wilson Asibu said CSOs have given the executive seven days to respond after noting that there is no movement on the bill.

“We demand that the executive should not politicize the bill because the bill is for Malawians and not for the journalists alone as some have thought it to be,” State of the Union(SOTU)Board chair, Martha Kwataine, said it is embarrassing to note that Government is contradicting itself on the matter.

Kwataine described the delay in passing the bill into law as childish and immature.

“As CSO we fill that we have been cheated on the matter and it is now clear that DPP Government is taking Malawians for granted,” said Kwataine.

Human Rights Consecutive Committee Chairperson, Robert Mkwezalamba urged Mutharika to exercise his powers and drive his cabinet to pass the bill for the good of Malawians.

“Enough is enough I think we have been too diplomatic,” said Mkwezalamba.

CSOs, including Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Malawi Chapter, have been calling for the tabling of the Bill which will guarantee access to information.

The Peter Mutharika administration promised to table the Bill in Parliament during the current sitting of parliament, but the bill has been referred to cabinet committee on Legal affairs to iron out”incostisitencies”, prompting Misa Malawi to express disappointment.

Through its chairperson Thom Khanje, Misa Malawi observed that the Bill was ranked highly on Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) manifesto in the run up to May 20 Tripartite Elections and wondered why government is dallying it.

But NGOs and CSOs Presidential Advisor Mavuto Bamusi said in a democracy, every section of the society is given the right to be herd even on matters of policy in nature.

Bamusi said Cabinet too, is not exempted from this fundamental democratic principle.

“Therefore, CSOs should accept that cabinet has got its own views and opinion on matters of national interests since Cabinet is our custodians of our national interests,” said Bamusi.

Bamusi said it is unreasonable to give unnecessary ultimatums on Cabinet on such a matter that borders on constitutional right of the people.

“It’s unreasonable to expect cabinet to rush into issues without giving proper and thorough guidance.”

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Pamalawi pavuta says
8 years ago

Are malawians voted the csos or ngos into power or not?.there is no need to waste time intalking with an outer mambrane leaving the inner one,that is nonsence at its best.why seven days,who are you?.

selfish decision
selfish decision
8 years ago

Its sad that some of your arguments my fellow Malawians are headless.Understand carefully the arguments of CSO don’t just argue for the sake of arguments
This bill is important for transparency sake we don’t need to put politics they are two different things.Be ashamed with your silly arguments.If you don’t understand you better keep quite you are losing nothing

guarantor
guarantor
8 years ago

I thought this was explained already that there are inconsistencies and some errors……….what explanation do you need. CSOs you ate very stupid…..there are over 14 million asses in Malawi we can’t just be hearing your stupidity.

Monile
Monile
8 years ago

IS CSO A GOVERNMENT OR NGO? EVERYTHING HAS A PROCESS.

BOGOLOLO WAMWENDO KHUMIKHUMI
BOGOLOLO WAMWENDO KHUMIKHUMI
8 years ago

Boma olo !!

Mwakipiki
8 years ago

Go go go go good people! Access to Information Law will help to improve on accountability in this country which is too far away. Our leaders think we have to thank them for leading us.

Mulakho
Mulakho
8 years ago

Good move. After this we need an ultimatum on Kwacha fall and an ultimatum on ESCOM blackouts. Then we need ultimatum on unemployment. This chiphwisi professor dziko lamukanika kuyendetsa

Tchena tchena
Tchena tchena
8 years ago

CSO JUST SIMPLY “GET LOST” We are tired of you.

choonadi
choonadi
8 years ago

Zopusa

john
john
8 years ago

but peter promised to pass this bill once elected. the way the govt is behaving, it is clear they are playing games.

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