PAC conference on Malawi federalism underway in Blantyre
A two-day national stakeholders forum organised by Public Affairs Committee (PAC) on inclusivity and federalism, aimed at enhancing common understanding of federalism, commenced on Monday in Malawi’s commercial capital Blantyre.
The conference whose theme is ‘Enhancing a Common Understanding on Inclusivity and Federalism in Malawi’ has attracted representatives from academia, faith community, political parties, Malawi Congress of Trade Union, Congoma, Malawi Law Society, the judiciary, some traditional authorities, Civil society, Parliament and executive branc.
PAC Chairperson Reverend Dr Felix Chingota said the forum will allow people who hold different views on federalism to share a common platform and also gain a deeper appreciation of the idea of devolution.
Chingota said there is a gap in appreciating how federalism fits into devolution exercise.
He said while debate on federalism is a welcome development in the country, there lacks a constructive coordinated approach to enhance conversation on the matter in parts of the country.
“Several vices have been noted ranging from nepotism, regionalism and tribalism to lack of basic understanding on the concept itself and how it works.
“Many commentators have made their positions without appreciating the different forms of federalism. If unchecked this could result into violent conflict and polarisation of the country,” said Chingota.
Chingota further said the 2014 post-electoral period has also witnessed calls and demands from various quarters to review the Constitution and electoral laws.
“In view of this, enhancing debate on federalism in timely manner is critical because within the process we may discover aspects that could feed into legal reforms within the existing framework,” said Chingota.
He then said the aim of the event was to promote common understanding on federalism among its stakeholders and those who influence the public by their media comments on regular basis; to locate the debate on federalism on agreed roadmap thereby preventing violent conflict; and provide comparative experiences on federalism so that participants gain a broader understanding on the matter.
The forum will discuss three topics- ‘The History of Devolution in Malawi’, ‘Comparative Experience on Federalism’, and Decentralisation-State of Affairs in Malawi’.
Presenting a paper on conceptual framework on the State, Dr Henry Chingaipe shared historical development of devolution since the introduction of multiparty government.
While Dr Willie Samute, former Programme Manager, Decentralisation Secretariat, highlighted why Malawi chose district focus on devolution rather than regional focus.
Other speakers include Dr Milton Kutengule and Professor Assefa Fiseha, Centre for Federal Studies, College of Law and Governance, Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.
Kutengule will talk about decentralisation with emphasis on strides so far made in the implementation of decentralisation policy while Professor Fiseha will present paper on ‘federalism and challenges of nation States’.
The participants will come up with conclusions by way of a roadmap to define how the conversation on federalism should be taken towards finding a common ground for all Malawians.
Notable participants include former Vice President Justin Malewezi, former speaker Henry Chimunthu, Speaker Richard Msowoya Inkosi Gomani of Ntcheu, parliamentarian Ralph Jooma, Petra President Kamuzu Chibambo and National Salvation Front President James Nyondo.
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Chingaipe, you are a disgrace to the academicians. You were failing to call a spade a spade during the Crossroads Hotel, Lilongwe federal debate because you wanted to be amongst the panelists to present your ideas at PAC conference? We know that with your intelectual capability , you should be the first to understand that this country needs FEDERALISM to kick start the long sleeping development in the country. At least people without MSCE like Lucious Banda can understand the importance of federalism much faster than you….. shame to you dr and not Dr. You pretended by hiding your understanding… Read more »
A PAC kumeneko ndiye kudza. You’ve never disappointed Malawians.
THINK OF AREAS AND OTHER SECTORS IN MALAWI. IT WOULD BE BETTER TO GO DEEP:
ODYELA ASAMAKHALE MUMODZI AYI:
-FEDERALISM YES -YES -YES AND GOOD ———–YES YES
– SECESSION [ STANDALONE] NO -NO -NO ——NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO —-NO
– MCTU[ UNIONS] THINK OF POOR MALAWIANS AND WORKING CONDITIONS AND DECENT WORK.
This a national issue osati zina zija.
Federalism is GOOD.
Fedrralism = Decentralisation
Mbuzi zinazakomenta ngati Nakhumwa apa must withdraw stupid statements.
Tiyese zimenezi
so u tumbukas whoever oppose fedal is mad? make fruitful sentence not cz off frustration
All these people said here are wearing suits,even the onepictured here is wearing a very long suit kusiya munthu wa kumudzi amene amavutika tsiku ndi tsiku kufuna chakudya cha pa tsiku movutikira.Federalism is the answer,whether one likes it or not.We need a federal govt,period!Its not about someone loosing power or what,its about developing the nation all of us.Nkhuku zapita uko I tell youi,palibe chinenedweko.Awo a Kamuzu Chibabmbo ndiye ndikukuuzani kuti is against federalism coz ka chipani kawo kafa.He thinks he has the masses….when he is alone.Instaed of him championing for federalism kuti mwina angadzakhaleko governor,ayi ndithu,uchitsiru okhaokha.
As FOND,we are watching that,we will keep listening with a keen interest on the issue of federalism being discussed there,and we will come up with our own view of the matter and the necessary steps once concluded.
Apa zoti patuluka mfundo yeniyeni yogwira ndakaika coz all these niggas are either from the South and Central Regions except a few,three or four from the north,the people who need federalism.This is a cook up,I am telling you northerners.We needed federalism like yesterday.Lets make or introduce federalism by force.The north should be electing a governor during elections,and that shuld be an agreed upon principle in the constitution of the republic of Malawi.