Mzuni professor touts federalism for Malawi at public debate
A professor at Mzuzu University (Mzuni) Fred Msiska on Wednesday spoke in support of a federal system of government in Malawi during a public debate held at Grand Palace Hotel in Mzuzu which was broadcast live on Zodiak Broadcasting Service.
Prof Msiska, who is a director of open and distance learning at Mzuni, trashed anti-federalism campaigners who argue the system will divide the country, saying the notion is “utterly false.”
He said: “It is calculated falsehood in order to prevent people from understanding the system.”
Msiska said Malawi need federal system, saying the current unitary system “has failed Malawians” because of the “over-concentrated powers in the presidency” which he said has led to the abuse of power for the benefit of the few
The university professor said federalism will enhance devolution of powers and make it possible for greater public participation in political decision making.
“If powers are devolved at the regional level, it will be possible for development to take place more evenly throughout the country. Federal system will avail more resources to regions for development It will also be possible for the central government to be held accountable to regional governments,” said Msiska.
He said federalism will enable a favourable resource allocation formula to be negotiated by the regions unlike the current system when the central system dictates.
“Every Malawians should benefit the toil of their labour,” said Msiska attracting hand-clapping from the audience.
Msiska said federalism will also be a solution to ethnicity.
Prophet Chuma spoke against federalism being introduced in Malawi, arguing it is too complex a system for a small and poor country which has high illiteracy levels and whose political leadership is largely ignorant of its constitutional roles.
Chuma also accused some politicians pushing for federalism in a bid to get power in the regions after being frustrated by losing the general elections.
He said federalism will bring division as well as confusion in the country.
President Peter Mutharika – on record to have once touted for federalism – has since urged political and religious leaders to give dialogue and reconciliation a chance, instead of dividing the country.
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Some of this discussions are useless and meant to to divert Malawian away from important issues such as economy, for a start federalism is useless for a small country like malawi which can be governed with only ten people including the president and its cabinet. Malawi is too small this system of governance will just end up duplicating jobs and resource wastage as more money will be allocated to politicians managing those regions Remember a governer is more the same like the president, he have his cabinet and run his own regional program a small country like ours it will… Read more »
atumbuka mwauponda upelezident simudzaunyantha.mulira eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeemutopa ife tidzingodzalako mitengo yamatabwa kumeneko make sure train isadzabwere kumeneko, a good highway nix airport ikkhala yomweija chihana anaphotchoka paja university ikhale ttc pali vuto?
muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!
Too many supporters of federalism seem unable to distinguish between rational argumentation and blind faith. They believe in federalism despite all reasonable counter-arguments. They should try to read Professor Chirwa’s article on this forum. If they can systematically and logically refute any components of his analysis, they should do so. If they cannot, however, they should not advertise their intellectual incapacity by filling the columns of ‘Nyasatimes’ with their Declarations of Faith in the False God of Federalism.
Calls for federalism sound so nice and the system itself is nice for the power sharing sake. I suggest that it can be a solution to some of challenges regarding development of the nation. I believe cashgate issues may be dealt with. However, I feel that federal system of government should not be regional based otherwise it may fuel regionalism and tribalism as other quarters fear. Malawi at this time needs devolution of power to districts for meaningful development. I think we should talk about enhancement of decentralisation as councillors are in place now.
Decentralisation of power is very commendable. Federalism is very attractive. But I wonder if this will really achieve what we want in Malawi. Consideration of Federalism, as I see it, really arose from the Northeners’ dissapointment with APM’s failure to choose not even one from that part of the country as a Minister. From this follows that people believe having one of your kindred as a Minister equals guaranteed development. Perhaps it would help if people,not exactly disregarding what is being said on this matter left and right but rather intelligently sizing it all, sat down to think the matter… Read more »
Malawians lets move! All those who say no, hands up kkkkk
Nkhani sitikuti uyu apite uku ayi kusaiziwa federal system of goverment. Amene akunena zoti siyabwino sakuiziwa. Mumakana matipaty kuipa kulipati federal system ndiyankho osati kwa awo ayi koma kwa tonse ngati simukuiziwa khalani chete
I’m in total support of federalism but it seems its advocates are failing to articulate the bottom line. only if Bakili Muluzi can be roped in, to advance this agenda then only then will the masses understand what we are talking about here.
ENANU TIMAKUDZIWANI KUGOGONA NDIKWANU NGAKHALE NTHAWI YO LIMBANA NDI DR BANDA KUTI MULTIPARTY DEMOCRACY YIBWELE MUMAGONA TULO.TOSE TIKANAKHALA OGONA TULO BWEZI MCP YIKULAMULIRABE MPAKA PANO, BWEZI ACHINA PETER MUTHALIKA AKADALI KU USA, BINGU AKANAMWALIRA NDIKUYIKIDWA KUNJAKONKO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!PANO ASIYENI ANTHU ENI ENI NGATI ACHINA PROFESSOR MSISHA AKUSEGULIRENI NJIRA