Tembo opposes North Malawi seceding: We’re better together
Veteran politician and former Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president John Tembo has strongly opposed proposals that northern region should secede from the country and be a standalone country describing such calls as “childish”.
Member of Parliament for former President Joyce Banda’s party, the Peoples Party, Reverend Christopher Mzomera Ngwira is leading the northern region in proposing secession claiming that the northern region has been sidelined in the sharing of the national cake.
Tembo in an interview monitored on Zodiak Broadcasting Corporation said Malawi is better together and made a direct appeal to people advocating for secession to think of the real risks of splitting the country.
“Our first President (Kamuzu Banda) always wanted the country to be one Malawi, one Nation. We need to pursue that,” said Tembo.
The party Tembo led until last year, MCP has also been calling for Malawi to adopt the federal system of governing the country in which each region will have its own administrative power and report to the central government.
Malawi has three administrative regions namely south, central and northern region.
But Tembo said he “ not in favour of those calls for federalism” and adds that “federalism will just bring negative consequences.”
He said; “Those calling for federalism should just come together and see how they can solve their frustrations.”
When asked why some people are calling for federalism in the country, Tembo said “I don’t know, they know why they are doing so”.
Proponents of the federal system of government claim it will help the country to equitably develop as well as fight tribalism and nepotism which they claim have characterised the central government while the proponents of secession say the northern region has been on the sidelines for years.
President Peter Mutharika’s winning and formation of his government opened wounds of mistrust as he is being accused of favouring people from the South in his appointments to the Cabinet and other top government positions.
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What do you fear JZU since all political parties in malawi do have federalist structures with regional governors/chairmen,whiles churches have dioceses or synods? In fact federalist structures in government would bring more unity since all political parties will have to compete for provincial governorship in a region. This governor will be answerable to all residents of the region rather answerable to a party as is the case at present. Malawi needs to adopt manageable methods that would devolve powers from the central government to autonomous local provinces in a democratic way.Unfortunately it was the same JZU Tembo who had rejected… Read more »
Nyumba za a Tumbuka za ku area 43/49 cashgate titenga a Nanyikwife.
WHAT DO YOU EXPECT THE CHIEF BENEFICIARY OF THE ONE PARTY AND CENTRAL GOVERNING OF MCP . I HOPE THE NEW MCP IS NOT OF SIMILAR VIEW AS JZUT
Federalism ‘ll do Malawi better but not secession.Let us look at it with more care.
GUYS TIYENI TIGAWANEPO DZIKOLI, ATUMBUKA AZIPITA KWAWO ONSE, KUMWERA NDI PAKATI ANTHU APEZEKO NTCHITO. TAWASIYANI AZIPITA KWAWO
He is the one who started it all. He should man up and implement his idea.
We are now tired of being downpressed we need a separate north,were you lovin like Dr banda we would be cool. Heavily taxed,hated, looked down upon,forsaken,used,refused,abused ……..
This man is the main reason why northerners are calling for cessation and federalism. He does not respect northerners and northerners do not consider him as a states man. It is better for him to keep his mouth shut. The issue of federalism is about justice and justice is not childish. If the South and the Central do not like federation, it is their choice. The North will respect that. Let them continue. As for the North, this is a point of no return. We will rule ourself and stand on our own as a federal state or break away… Read more »
Munthu wamkulu akalankhula tiyenera kumumvera
Tembo should be reminded that the kamuzu era should only b a reference to make decission to suit todays age. Federalism could be the best but cessesion of north I don’t support bcoz there optional action before it reaches that far.