Federalism talks take centre stage in Malawi

Demands for federal system of government have taken centre stage with the debate growing day by day with Bishop of the Anglican Upper Shire Diocese, Brighton Malasa  suspecting the calls are not being made in good faith.

The Diocesan Bishop said those calling for federalism have no credibility and that they should not be taken seriously as they are the same “greedy and selfish politicians”.

“It could have made sense if they were new and neutral people,” he added.

But a pressure group pushing for federism in Mzimba led by Dr Bina Shawa has trashed the Bishop’s remarks, saying the calls should be handled in accordance with citizens’ demands.

He said citizens be allowed to decide on federalism other than suppressing them.

Shawa said government should accept there is a wind of federalism and “allow public debate so that the people decide the type of system they want instead of dividing people into proponents and opponent.”

He warned that failing to come out and allow public debate will polarize the country and will encourage enmity.

The CCAP Synod of Livingstonia has said the push for federalism should be national.

President Peter Mutharika has been dismissing such calls as unnecessary . The President has since dispatched his aides to lure traditional leaders  in campaigning against federal government in which sovereignty is constitutionally divided between a central governing authority and constituent political units such as states or provinces.

However. Speaker of the National Assembly Richard Msowoya,  has called on chiefs to understand “things” before making decisions.

Speaking at the annual cultural event for Tumbuka ethnic group in Rumphi,t Gonapamuhanya, Msowoya made reference to a biblical story where the Jews chose Barnabas in place of Jesus to be freed from crucifixion.

He said: “When people don’t understand things they tend to make wrong decisions. Even the Jews in the Bible chose Barnabas instead of Jesus.”

“But if they had known that Jesus is the truth and life, they would not have made that decision. Understand first. Do research. If you don’t understand, ask, even if it means asking your children.”

In Europe, most countries run federal system of government  while in Africa, federal system of government is practised in some countries including South Africa and Nigeria.