Fond rollout North Malawi independence debate
Think-tank Forum for New Direction (Fond) has added its voice to the federism and secession debate, saying it is backing North Malawi to be a standalone state as the north has “not fully participated in the management of the social economic agenda of the northern region.”
Fond general secretary Professor Godwin Mkamanga told Nyasa Times after the think-tank’s meeting in Mzuzu city on Monday, members observed that there have been disparities in infrastructure such as roads, hospitals, and schools.
They also noted that the infamous quota system of selecting students to institutions of higher learning was still affecting the north as many people in the region regard it as education genocide.
Fond in backing calls for federalism, cited the “ethnic diversity which often generates serious political differences in appointments of cabinet, chief executive officers for parastatal and diplomats where the super majority are from the southern part.”
The group noted that the ,Management of natural resources such as Chikangawa Forest and Kayerekera and other mines where there is no transparency in awarding mining concessions, contracts and extractions without regard to environment and wanton cutting down of Chikangawa forest.
In mining contracts, they noted that no indigenous or local economic empowerment is evident as everything is left to foreign Investment.
They also bemoaned the abandonment of the Mtwala corridor for political reasons, saying the Malawi cargo centre in Dar es Salaam and Chilumba port are totally underutilized.
Fond observed that s election and appointments of foreign diplomats is “ethnically influenced” with the north being sidelined.
The group also bemoaned lack of transparency in the allocation of national budget.
The group also noted that there is “deliberate policy to fill all key schools with children from the south and centre excluding children from northern region by central government.”
And that university and foreign scholarships for our children are awarded along regional lines.
Fond also faulted President Peter Mutharika’s latest accusation about commission of inquiry into death of former president Bingu wa Mutharika as objective evidence of “ tribalistic tendencies.”
Said Prof, Mkamanga: “ Fond endorses the debate on Federal System of Government by calling its entire member base and all like minded people to a meeting on 28 September 2014 Sunday where new office bearers will be duly elected but time and venue will be communicated later on our radio stations.”
The group said it welcomes government respresentative to the debate “ instead of wasting resources and time to bribe our chiefs as there are not the only stakeholders in such regard.”
All northern region party leadership and other pressure groups, Clergy and chiefs have also been invited to the debate.
A pressure group has been formed in Mzimba led by Dr Bina Shaba to campaign for federal system of government in Malawi has welcomed the debate.
Traditional Authority Mwilang’ombe in Karonga said the “open debate” on the North Malawi independence is welcome “to hear people’s views.”
Recently , Aford sole lawmaker Enock Chihana backed the calls for federalism and argued that Malawi political system has to change to suit the prevailing environment.
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) lawmaker Alekeni Menyani also backed calls to adopt a federal system of government in Malawi.
President Mutharika has since urged political and religious leaders to give dialogue and reconciliation a chance, instead of dividing the country.
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I’ AM SUPPORTIN
Tiyeni binampoto tiyeni tijiwuse tekha. As long as we still have the current system north will remain under developed. We need to secede and bring meaningful development to our country. It wont be called North Malawi. We don’t want the Malawi in our name. We will coin a better name.
So as the debate hots up, lets start thinking of the Name to call our land
ndafuna ndikuzeni amalawi azanga,fundo zimene atsogoleli otso boma (ndizabwino)koma choyamba abwele poyela ndifundo zomanga (malawi)2enawa ndimkhwidzi chabe ndisanje 3akufuna kukwanilitsa lingalilawo pofuna kukhala(atsogoleli)adzikolino.nde (B)pouna kuti alibe chikoka akulimbikila ulamulilo wazigawu(C)atsogoleli otele ndi adyela ndipo ngosathandiza,samalani posapota,ziunikeni fundo zawu.
Mwana akaririra nyanga ya nsasi nsemele.
My notes… APM z nt responsible for poverty or underdevelopment anywhere. DPP z less than 10yrs as a party. Aford is dead, once a party of so-called anthu ophunzira. Aford z dead cz of infighting of members from same region. Munthu ophunzira samayima pachulu ndikumadzipopa. Even in federal countries, only government collects taxes.. Using force for federal north, others will chase u with force (tit for tat) 50yrs u say u r havin dead region infrastracure-wise, then who z to blame when ur people r highly educated and holds top positions in government and companies?? DEVIDE AND RULE, IS WHAT… Read more »
Learn to spell first before posting comments !!!
Piper, there z a difference btwn not knowin wt one has written and typing error..
If u were smart u wuld have pointed something wrong on my post than typing error/ spelling..
come Lord Jesus come.
Central Region Will Also Follow Suit !! We Cant Work together With These CROOKS who stole Our Vote !!! If They Want Us They Should Allow VOTE RECOUNT !!! Otherwise The Game Is Over Fultime !!!
federal is agood idea but that federal preasure group should articulate issuies why we want that type of democrancy and they need to explain to people the difference between federal system and assession ,to my view malawi now needs federal system not the north needs independents if the differencient this two things it will be much easy for other camp to understand remember shortly we had lake malawi issuie sono ise wana wa poto can own our on stand the hit and we need those people who are leading this campain 4 federal system they should be new blood not… Read more »
THIS IS THE WAY TO GO FORWARD LIEAVE IBU APM WASTING MALAWIANS MONEY & TIME BRIBING TRADITIONLA LEADERS. WE THE MASSES OF THE NORTH HAVE STRATEGIC WISEDOM FOR OUR VISION -FEDERAL STATE OR ALTERNATIVE SECESSION. MOTTO FEDERAL STATES IN MALAWI
kwali mweee! I thought if we could fight for rotation of presidents to be incorporated into our constitution. We need to pursue this matter with solace.