Muslims have merit in warning Chakwera on Jerusalem choice, says security expert
A security expert at Mzuzu University Eugenio Njoloma has said the Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM) have merit in their warning to President Lazarus Chakwera that his administration’s decision to open a diplomatic mission in Jerusalem puts the country at risk of deplorable consequences from some Arab countries.
Nyasa Times reported on Tuesday that the Muslims body has told President Chakwera that it is dangerous for Malawi to open an embassy in Jerusalem “as it may open a Pandora’s Box and attract some unprecedented deplorable consequences.”
MAM warned that “extremists would target Malawi that has been safe and peaceful since time immemorial.”
In a letter which MAM spokesperson Sheik Dinala Chabulika has confirmed its authenticity, said some assistances that Malawi used to benefit from the machinery of most of the Islamic governments such as Kuwait Fund, could be suspended.
“Consequently, Islamic charitable organisations that are used to assist this country through Islamic organisations in the education and sanitation infrastructures for instance, will no longer be there.”
Commenting on the development, Njoloma, a security studies lecturer at Mzuzu University, said though MAM’s position had merit.
“I think to say extremists would not target Malawi would be to underestimate international politics. Remember terrorists/ extremists only seek to send messages and not to kill the target. This is why they did not target Clinton in US, but rather US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania,” pointed out Njoloma in quotes reported by The Nation newspaper.
He said there is need to further engagement for Malawians to see if the benefits of opening an embassy in Jerusalem outweigh the risks.
Foreign Minister Eisenhower Mkaka on Tuesday said Malawi will open a full embassy to Israel in Jerusalem by the summer of 2021.
Malawi would become the first African nation to do so.
Israel considers the Holy City its eternal capital, but Palestinians want East Jerusalem, seized in a 1967 Middle East war, as part of a future state.
Former Malawi ambassador to Japan, John Chikago, who is Malawi Congress Party (MCP) member, has said President Chakwera should tread carefully on Jerusalem choice, saying diplomacy should be informed by international laws and history.
While a professor of international relations and director of African Centre for the Study of the United States at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) Gilbert Khadiagala told the press that he was not surprised with Chakwera’s decision to open embassy in Jerusalem , because he was a born-again Christian and was more likely to use his authority to placate the Israelis and downplayed the potential threats from the Arabs.
The Muslims urge Malawi government to join the position of the bulk of the international community in the issue of establishing diplomatic relationship with Israel in Tel Aviv.
Opposition members of Malawi’s parliament have recently also raised concern about opening an embassy in Jerusalem.
But Chakwera has been firm on the move and justified his foreign policy decision, saying that it was not new in Malawi, as during the one-party regime of founding President Hastings Kamuzu Banda, the country also had diplomatic ties with Israel until 1994.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
The issue is not of world politics. The issue is that we are dealing with a very dangerous cult – Islam. This cult is the worst thing that happened to the world. This Islamic cult thrives on violence, violence and violence. In that context Chakwera should just take heed.
someone needs to point out that if – God forbid – dire consequences from Islamists are meted on this country, that will spell the end of some political careers. I won’t say whose. Ndi chipani chomwe chitha osadzawinanso.
Chakwera ndi nkhutukumve. Gung’ung’u gulukunyinda omva zake zokha. jerusalem ndiye kuti chani? Fwetseki!
Dziko liziyendela policies osati maganizo a munthu. Currently the internal middle east resolution stand is Tel Aviv nde komwe foreign missions are. Donald Trump bullied countries to establish their embassies in Jerusalem which is even again the US policy as of now. There are about 4 foreign missions in Jerusalem and Malawi being the only African country with an embassy in Jerusalem. With Donald Trump out of presidency we need to revisit our foreign affairs policy and ask our self if indeed we have to be their whilst having a global policy for Middle East. If we stick to our decision then we must brace for repurcussions mainly from the Arab and Islamic states which can be dire God forbid.
South Africa imazitsata kwambili zankhani imeneyi
Ndipo ilimgulu la mmaiko akulualulu omwe ndi ma nunmuslim,podana ndi zochitika za majew kwa ma Palestine.
Chakwela abwelako ku South atamutsuka nzelu,mwinanso pomuletsa mokakamizidwa.Kamalawi nkandani kwa South.
Adzasintha chune akabwelako,koma mwa style.
Zolemba zako iwe eish! Lemba mchizungu mwina. But after understanding you, I agree completely
JESUS AND NAPOLEON , This qualification it has never impressed me in line of thinking.
Very true. Al Shabab yavuta ku Mozambique ingoolokatu
Asiyeni, chosanva anachiphikila mmasamba
‘Imagine there’s no religion. All men living in peace. ‘ I am a lucky guy. Indeed
Are they conceding that they are a potential security threat to non muslim states
Njoloma is trying to confuse Malawians. Does he want to tell us that in all the countries who are suffering terrorism have their embassies in Jerusalem. And does he know what can happen if Christians today can come out and speak their mind. And Njoloma, if being a Muslim, should first be a Malawian and learn to be patriotic
Islam is a peaceful religion we are told. Why these threats? Jerusalem is in Israel and has been there before Islam was founded.
When was Islam founded?
I think our president is missing the point here. No one is opposed to having residential mission in the state of Israel but the site of the mission is what people are advising Chakwera to rethink his decision. In one party era did Malawi have an embassy in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv? Our embassies will be targets for terrorists activities. Already we don’t have water tight security in most of our missions. Bwana Chakwera please listen to what some Malawians are saying. Those encouraging you to go ahead with your Jerusalem plans will be the first to blame you should something wrong happen. DPP will encourage you to go ahead so that you become unpopular. You can remain popular in the Central region but the North and South will turn against you.
Very shortly most Arab countries (muslims and christians) will follow suit.
Exactly.
Does he not watch the BBC. This week in Mozambique 50 people were beheaded by these extremists. Just a boat ride away. Just leave this stuff alone kukuphetsa. The problem when a country experiences war is that crime and killing become a way of life even afterwards.
Unfortunately most Malwians think Israel is a blessed nation because it is a home of Christianity. Chritianity in itself survive on ignorance of the people.The more the people dont know the better christian they become. Most of these malawians think they will get god blessings by supporting Israel. Israel dont even know Jesus to start with. Do your research Bwana president..Its has been about selfish intrests of USA. Malawians will be die for nothin. Take your time understand histiry. Ask yourself why other african countries are not going to bed with Israel and USA. Listern and study. Its not all that glitters is gold
Did you see the beheaded people?
did you see Jesus