‘Pro-DPP’ activists muzzle PAC ahead of conference, blame Malawi donors

Civil Society Platform for Constructive Dialogue (CSP–CD), which brings together over 30 civil society organisations (CSOs) and activists  “deemed pro-Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government” as reported by Daily Times newspaper,  have  started  using gagging tactics against the Public Affairs Committee (PAC) ahead of  the 5th All-inclusive Stakeholders’ Conference  set for Wednesday to Thursday this week at Sunbird Mount Soche in Blantyre.

The Daily Times reported  that the group has gone on to attack the donor community for contributing towards the political and economic mess Malawi is going through.

In public statement titled “Call for sober and constructive approach in discussions, debate and advocacy around Malawi’s economic, political and food security challenges” which was made available to the media, the pro-DPP government grouping urged PAC to show responsibility and leadership as they exercise their rightful mandate at

Chairperson for the CSP-CD and Deputy Country Director for Centre for Children Affairs, Olive Nakoma, told a news conference held on Monday at Hotel Victoria said PAC  should put a stone wall to  any “divisive elements”  at the indaba.

“We pray that PAC will not allow partisan and narrow interests to hijack the process or indeed allow any divisive elements to overshadow the noble pursuit for solutions to our common challenges. It is time to build Mother Malawi as together we are all members of one family. It is time to give dialogue a chance,” reads part of the statement.

Some group members who attended the news  briefing included Maxwell Matewere of Eye of the Child, Billy Banda of Malawi Watch, Roselyn Mankhwala of Women in Partnership against HIV and Aids in Malawi (Wipam), National Elections Systems Trust (Nest) executive director Unandi Banda, Faustace Chirwa of National Women’s Lobby Group and labour activist Luther Mambala.

Matewere, urged the donor community to stop subjecting Malawians to torture by giving new benchmarks for their resumption of budgetary support to Malawi.

“In the first place the donors said government should deal with the roots of Cashgate and prosecute perpetrators. We are of the view that government has done better considering the number of suspects that have been convicted and the money and properties that have been recovered,” said Matewere.

He said the donors are now taking a different position forcing government to pass the Access to Information Bill if they are to resume their financial support towards Malawi.

On that note, Matewere urged Pac, to take a leading role in influencing the donors to resume their financial support to Malawi.

PAC chairman Father Peter Mulomole said the religious pressure group has remained  “ morally credible” since establishment in 1992.

United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) is funding the forthcoming conference, according to Mulomole.