Malawi didn’t support Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as capital, abstained UN vote

Malawi abstained from a vote Thursday during which more than 100 members of the United Nations overwhelmingly condemned the decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to move the American embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

Jimmy Kainja: Abstaining is cowardice

The General Assembly passed the resolution condemning US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, with 128s nation in favor, nine voting against, 35 abstaining and 21 no-shows.

Malawi  one of 35 countries that abstained from the vote. Togo is the African country voted alongside Israel and USA against the resolution with the remaining  countries all voting to condemn the US move.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Emmanuel Fabiano and government spokesman Nicholous Dausi could not immediately comment on Malawi decision on  the Jerusalem issue.

The resolution, which is non-binding, was expected to pass easily despite US pressure on countries to abstain, vote against it or simply not turn up for the vote.

But writing on Twitter,  Jimmy Kainja—a social media communication expert – criticised  the decision by Malawi to abstain from the crucial vote as cowardly.

“#Malawi’s strategy was to abstain—afraid to make a concrete decision. It’s the same strategy that cowardly MPs have used in Parliament when voting on crucial issues. No wonder no one takes us seriously. You have to have a position and stand by it!” tweeted Kainja.

Activist Billy Mayaya said Malawi’s abstaining was a “sovereign decision”  although the expectation would have been to stand in solidarity with the broader decision of the community of nation on the matter.

According to Mayaya,  Malawi had fallen for Trump’s “unprecedented saber rattling strategy” designed to control the dynamics of the Israeli-Palestine conflict.

Apparently, Malawi feared  what Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said  in her opening statement to the General Assembly ahead of the vote as she  repeated vows to yank American foreign aid from countries that vote to condemn the move. Impoverished Malawi depend for much of its assistants from US.

Immediately after the vote the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, described the result as a “victory for Palestine”. The Palestinians’ UN envoy, Riyad Mansour, described the result as a “massive setback” for the US.

Trump’s decision on December 6 to recognize the city as Israel’s capital broke with the international diplomatic consensus, unleashed protests across the Muslim world and prompted a flurry of appeals to the United Nations.

The countries that voted with the United States against the resolution condemning its embassy move were Togo, Palau, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Honduras, Guatemala and Israel.

The full list of abstaining countries was: Antigua-Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, the Bahamas, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cameroon, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Haiti, Hungary, Jamaica, Kiribati, Latvia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, the Philippines, Poland, Romania, Rwanda, the Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda and Vanuatu.

The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Belgium, Portugal, Spain and China all voted to condemn the move of the American embassy as part of a total of 128 countries voting in favour of the resolution.

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Kinnear Mlowoka
Kinnear Mlowoka
6 years ago

It is indeed unfortunate for Malawi to abstain. This country is indeed in the hands of demons but we see them as leaders. We are the Gentiles, the grace that we are enjoying now was for the Jews. Ezekiel 36v22 reads Now then, give the Israelite the message that I, the Sovereign LORD, have for them; What I am going to do is not for the sake of you Israelites, but for the sake of my Holy Name which you have disgraced in every country where you have gone. (Jerusalem) 36v24 I will take you from every nation and country… Read more »

Kaisala
Kaisala
6 years ago

Jerusalem belongs to the Jews… Why sharing a City? Thats not true… Biblically that city is for Israel… FACT

gwemula
gwemula
6 years ago

Baibuloli bwanji likuvomela ndi kuzitsutsanso lokha pankhaniyi???komanso why mipingo yambiri ikuchokera ku America osati ku israel monga achitira a silamu wa ku saudi

gwemula
gwemula
6 years ago

Trump the beast!!666 ija ndiimeneyi pompano ayamba kutidhinda zidhindo zija!!

santana
santana
6 years ago

Comment wisely after reading these facts. I also want to be enlightened on what actually happened. Israel got its independence in 1948 and chose Tel-Aviv as its capital. Why not Jerusalem? We hear and read from History that during the Arab-Israel 6 days War of 1967 Israel took and occupied one part of Jerusalem meaning it was not part of Israel before the occupation in 1967. I want to know who owned the whole Jerusalem before the 1967 War? Christians might comment siding with USA on this issue because they mistakenly think this issue is to do with Christianity. The… Read more »

Kaisala
Kaisala
6 years ago
Reply to  santana

Jerusalem has always been there before you magot knew it. Bible is the oldest religious book has been there before the so called koran. The Palestinians built Jerusalem as slaves likewise the Jews built Egypt as slaves….

Peloma Pepe
Peloma Pepe
6 years ago

I’m glad you took my concern seriously even though you’ve not published my comment. Your action to correct your story is good journalism, but deleting my comment is an epitome of undemocratic approach you take. Even big media networks like BBC, CNN etc publish comments that they don’t like as long as there’s no foul/bad/obscene language. What’s wrong with you people? Kuopa kuonetsa kugulu your incompetence?? Grow up and take responsibility for your actions.

Alfred Mwenifumbo
Alfred Mwenifumbo
6 years ago

I am proud of Malawi’s stand on this. Actually I wish we had voted alongside USA and Israel. Supporting Israel has such a profound devine blessing throughout history right from the time of Abraham through up to this day. It’s not about America’s aids that was at stake for all who voted with the US and Israel, but rather God’s favor. By the way, what do the so called commentators say about our neighbors Zambia and also about Kenya who decided (intensionally) not even to attend the UN General Assembly? These are the real cowards not Malawi. MAY THE GOD… Read more »

bnentby smart
6 years ago

am a Christian and I truly believe Jerusalem is Israelis city. abstaining from voting is same as voting against the loser. therefore Malawi should be punished alongside those who voted against US directive

Jesus is LORD
6 years ago
Reply to  bnentby smart

Did you know there are Palestinian Baptists? God’s people who are persecuted by both Israelis and Arabs. They are people you should pray for, not the rogue state with the worst sodomy in the world (Tel Aviv), where their entire religion is founded on the hatred of Jesus, whom God calls “the enemies of the Gospel for our sake” in Romans 11. Now please if you can, on YouTube you can look for MARCHING TO ZION which will show you from the Bible. (There is one too called THE OTHER ISRAEL but their theology at the end is a bit… Read more »

Edward
Edward
6 years ago

Every country that voted against this, is controlled by Satan. People who save the living God know where the world is going. I would advise you who is agonist it to read Isaiah chapter 45 and have revelation frm there.

Jesus is LORD
6 years ago
Reply to  Edward

The countries are controlled by Satan, but Israel 1948 is also Satanic. Think about it, the UN is an openly satanic organisation and it created Israel, since when does God use Satan to do His miracle? Please if you can, go to YouTube and look for AFTER THE TRIBULATION and MARCHING TO ZION and all will be explained. Israel 1948 has nothing to do with end-times and they are absolutely NOT God’s people, they hate Jesus 100% and the Bible shows WE who are saved are spiritual Israel/Jews. See Galatians 3, Romans 2:28-29, Matthew 21:42-45. Also look on YouTube for… Read more »

W.H.O
W.H.O
6 years ago
Reply to  Jesus is LORD

Nanunso mukusokosa ngati parrot, Osamakhululipira zilizonse pa you tube, bwanji kodi?

Jesus is LORD
6 years ago

Oh and watch this awesome documentary on Zionism vs Christianity…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rues1gVr338

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