Priest trashes federalism, North Malawi secession

Monsignor Boniface Tamani of the Catholic Church has spoken against calls for the country to adopt a new system of governance, saying such calls are divisive.

Fr. Tamani’s remarks come as some sections of society are propagating for the adoption of federalism as a system of government which Malawi should adopt allegedly to ensure equitable distribution of resources from the central government.

Proponents of the system, most of who are from the Northern Region of Malawi have argued that governments that have been in power have not prioritised development of the region.

However, speaking during Stella Marris Secondary School golden jubilee in Blantyre on Saturday, Monsignor Tamani said federalism cannot be the solution to the problems that the country may be facing.

“Much as we all want our communities to be developed, Malawi already has numerous national challenges that should be addressed by all of us,” he reasoned.

“This country is under-developed and if we want to change the system of government it will mean distributing resources to small provinces or state. Already we have corruption in our midst. How sure are we that these meagre resources will be managed well,” he queried.

According to Fr.Tamani, federalism and secession calls are being made by people who do not love the country and have selfish motives.

“Those calling for federalism, especially from the Church, are not doing so out of love. They have selfish reasons for doing so, because if one loves this country, they would be propagating unity, as a norm.”

“It is sad to hear a member of the clergy, supporting this system. The voice of God does not speak division, God speaks unity. When you hear a member of the clergy supporting this kind of division, know that they are not speaking what God taught us,” he challenged.

Information Minister Kondwani Nankhumwa said recently that Malawi Government intends to embark on a national wide civic education tour on the question of federalism and secession.

He said if need be the exercise will end into an open referendum on the two matters.