United Nations (UN) has demanded the release of human rights activists, Reverend McDonald Sembereka and Gift Trapence of the Centre for the Development of People (Cedep), who were arrested on allegation of defrauding K7.4million of UNAids funds. The two activist remanded at Mauwa Prison in Lilongwe are accused of operating an organisation, Mango Key, which […]
Malawi police says the arrest of human rights activists Reverend McDonald Sembereka and Gift Trapence of the Centre for the Development of People (Cedep) are not politically motivated, saying its purely a criminal offence. Human rights activist Billy Mayaya claimed Sembereka and Trapence arrest was political “persecution” aimed at silencing critics of President Peter Mutharika […]
Malawi police have arrested human rights activist Gift Trapence whose grouping the Human Rights Defendeds Coalition (HRDC) has been accused by re-elected President Peter Mutharika of organising protests over the disputed result of a May vote to turn the country into a “lawless society”. The country has seen nearly two months of protests by demonstrators […]
Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP) has described running mates who participated in the Tuesday evening debate as “confused”, saying they must rethink their stands on homosexuality and same-sex marriage. Cedep executive director, Gift Trapence, said on Wednesday in the aftermath of the debate that it was unfortuanate that Mohammed Sidik Mia (Malawi Congress […]
Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) national deputy chairperson Gift Trapence has told President Peter Mutharika to stop using State House for partisan Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) functions, saying this was illegal. Trapence said this after Mutharika hosted his ruling party cadres at Zomba State House for a fundraising event for the DPP in the Eastern Region. […]
Civil rights activists have hit back at President Peter Mutharika who faulted the civil society for allegedly trying to foil his development agenda in a bid to topple his democratically elected government. Vice chairman of the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) Gift Trapence said Mutharika should not blame the opposition and the civil society for […]
Undule Mwakasungula, a veteran governance, human rights and social commentator, has advised civil society organisations (CSOs) in the country to help build Malawi on the basis of engagement and not confrontation. Mwakasungula said the CSOs, should not take every matter to international community or the media in confrontational matter but they should pursue “genuine national dialogue.” […]
Leader of civil society organization (CSOs) in the country have reacted angrily to president Peter Mutharika’s assertion that the CSO leadership has nothing to offer in the country, describing the Malawi leader as an embarrassment to the nation who is tarnishing the country’s image. Spokesperson for the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) Gift Trapence said […]
Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP) executive director, Gift Trapence, earned a heroic stint and was christened the ‘Julius Malema of Malawi’ for relentlessly showcasing courage throughout the nationwide demonstrations over the K4 billion scam on Friday. Malema is a Member of Parliament and the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, a far-left and […]
Powerful civil society leaders are demanding the resignations of Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chair Jane Ansah and graft busting body. Speaking at a newa conference on Saturday in Lilongwe, Centre for the Development of People (Cedep) chief executive officer Gift Trapence said Justice Ansah must go because she can no longer be trusted with organising an […]
Center for Development of People (CEDEP) has called on Members of Parliament (MPs) to rise above party politics on Salima-Lilongwe water project following ‘personal and party interests’ displayed by the legislatures. The proposed project to pump water from Lake Malawi to the capital city, which is 125 kilometres away, has drawn mixed reactions due to, […]
A group of civil society organisations (CSOs) warned to hold nationwide protests as part of a campaign against corruption, economic mismanagement and unemployment. Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP), Centre for Development of People (CEDEP), Youth and Society (YAS) and Church and Society (Livingstonia Synod) on Thursday held peaceful protest in Lilongwe and presented […]
Malawi vocal human rights group the Center for Development of People (CEDEP) has condemned in strongest terms the conduct of Malawi Police Service officers who confiscated a camera from Nation Publications Limited photographer, detained him and prevented reporters from discharging their duties at Chileka International Airport during the senaking in of embattled Minister of Agriculture […]
The Centre for Development for People (Cedep) Christmas message has added its voice to remarks made by Malawi Congress Party (MCP) President and Leader of Opposition, Lazarus Chakwera that President Peter Mutharika has failed to govern Malawi amid economic turmoil. The statement signed by Cedep executive director Gift Trapence, mentions the high cost of living […]
Human rights campaigners in Malawi are urging President Peter Mutharika to support Access to Information Bill that has been passed by Parliament by assenting into law to improve accountability in government and reduce corruption. Parliament with the urge of opposition on Wednesday passed the Information bill which has taken 12 years to get enacted. Centre […]
A vocal human rights organisation, Centre for the Development of People (Cedep) has alerted the United Nations Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva, Switzerland that Malawi government is muzzling the media freedom. In the alert sent to OHCHR, Cedep executive director Gift Trapence informed that government through the Malawi Communications Regulatory […]
Centre for the Development of People (Cedep) executive director Gift Trapence has come under attack for criticising the church on the use of children during learning hours in the recent protests. The Episcopal Conference of Malawi and Evangelical Association of Malawi led protests against abortion and same sex marriages attracted learners who were in school […]
Human rights advocacy body, Centre for the Development of People (Cedep) has criticised plans for Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) alongside Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM) to hold a demonstration against abortion law and homosexuality to be held on Tuesday 6th December in all districts across the country. In what they are terming ‘citizen march […]