Malawi CSO’s lament bad governance: Stick to Jan 13 demo

Civil Society Organisations in Malawi have expressed their displeasure over what they described as bad governance of the state that is leading to the prevailing economic challenges and that their planned January 13 anti-government demonstrations will go ahead.

In a statement endorsed by 20 leading Civil Society Organisations working in the realm of human rights, governance, health and HIV/AIDS in Malawi, the CSOs indicate that they are concerned with the “dwindling state of governance” saying there is black of separation of powers, abuse and manipulation of public resources which are meant to serve the interest of Malawian people.

The groups also cited high cost of living, nepotism, security lapses, absence of decisive leadership, the untold story about scarcity of essential drugs and demotivated work staff in the public health sector, growing incidence of strikes as some of the reasons they will go on the streets to protest

The CSOs also expressed concerned with  “impression created by NAC over disbursement of HIV/AIDS related funds for purposes that have nothing to do with HIV and AIDS, the deplorable conditions in the education sector and continued lack of transparency and accountability in the mining sector”.

The statement was read at a news conference held at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe  Friday, 2  January 2015 by Timothy Mtambo (executive director, Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation), Dorothy Ngoma (President, Nurses Organisation of Malawi),  Hebrews Miasmal (human rights defender), Macdonald Sembereka (executive director, Malawi Network of Religious Leaders Living with HIV and AIDS), Reinford Mwangonde (executive director, Citizen for Justice Malawi Network of Religious Leaders Living with HIV and AIDS) on behalf of 20 CSOs.

The CSOs note that Malawians are concerned with the state of governance as evidenced by the failure to abide by the fundamental principles of separation of powers.

“The executive arm of government has continued to exercise authority which undermines the other arms of government. The judiciary’s strike is a shining example of how the executive is failing to promote harmony with other arms of government, and this has serious implications on access to justice by the citizens,” the CSOs stated

On the current public reforms being championed by government, the 20 CSOs observe that the reforms have not been inclusive enough and overlooked the existing legislation.

They also observe of the growing nepotism in the current government.

“Malawians are concerned with gross nepotistic appointments into various public, statutory, Foreign Service and advisory portfolios which are largely based on promoting the interests of a particular grouping or affiliation. It’s our view these tendency have potential to divide Malawians and derail national development,” reads the statement.

On the electoral reforms, the groups said  free, fair and credible elections will not be achieved by the current state of laws and mechanisms of administering elections in Malawi.