Undule urges Malawi CSOs to shift their advocacy from confrontation to engagement

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.

Undule: CSOs must shift their advocacy
Mtambo (left) and Trapence at UN office in Geneva: Reported Malawi goverment

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.”

He was reacting to the matter which the  CSOs under the banner of Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) have written the Global Fund, asking it to rescind the nomination of President Peter Mutharika as Champion of its Sixth Replenishment Campaign.

A letter, co-signed by the forum’s chairperson Timothy Mtambo and his deputy Gift Trapence, respectively, says the fund erred in the appointment, arguing it was made without due diligence and in total disregard of Mutharika’s domestic track record.

However amother group of CSOs operating under the banner Joint Civil Society Platform on Health  led  Lucky Mbewe and Maxwell Matwere also wrote the fund’s executive director Peter Sands backing the appointment , saying Malawi stands to benefit with its President at the helm of the campaign.

Mwakasungula, who led Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitaion (CHRR) at the time it was also reporting former president late Bingu wa Mutharika to Geneva-based UN  human rights body, said out of experience,  Malawi problems will not be resolved by reporting ti the international community.

But Mtambo and Trapence dismissed Mwakasungula, saying in advocacy they use  both domestic and international mechanism.

The two vocal rights defenders described the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) led government of being  obstinate and beyond engagement.

In the Global Fund role, Mutharika will be responsible for coordinating activities aimed at harnessing efforts in soliciting funding pledges from countries, international organisations and individuals towards the Sixth Global Fund Replenishing Conference to be held in France in 2019.

The Global Fund is a Geneva-based international organisation that aims to mobilise, leverage and invest additional resources to end HIV and Aids, tuberculosis and malaria epidemics to support the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations.

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Ndendeuli
Ndendeuli
5 years ago

Iwe Undule usatinyanse! Ngati DPP ikukudyetsa dzingodya mwakachetechete! Munthu wosabereka ngati iwe ungatiuze chani!

WAWA
WAWA
5 years ago

Well done Undule Mwakasungula. You are one of the few sensible aactivists. .

Chilungamo
Chilungamo
5 years ago
Reply to  WAWA

It’s an open secret the guy has been compromised and joined a cohort of thieves sometime back.
The hallmark of this DPP government is executive arrogance. How does constructive engagement work in such a scenario? Please be eating your blue scones and stop making noise. Anthu akumva kuwawa kunja kuno.
SHAME!!!

#DzukaniAmalawi
#DzukaniAmalawi
5 years ago

Malawi CSO find it easy to destroy than to build and this is reflected in their lack of persuasion. They need to learn to engage effectively with political parties including the governing party or indeed the govt. Nothing will be achieved through confrontation vs contact and dialogue (Kamuzu approach). To date the CSOs have achieved nothing in influencing the Malawi political and economic agenda…..no one takes CSOs seriously and therefore have lost relevancy and credibility. As much they have been asking for change of politics in Malawi; they too need to change drastically.

Yahya Yahya Jammeh
5 years ago

This lunatic Mwakasungura was once at the Foreign Mission in Namibia in the 90s while his brother (now Chief Kyungu) was the High Commissioner in Zimbabwe during UDF reign. He became an activist when he was jobless and now he wants to hoodwink DPP to offer him a free job without interview. 2019 will mark the end of free jobs given in the pubs.

POla
POla
5 years ago

Trapence and Mbewe are unpatriotic fools – they don’t love their country. Flying al the way to Geneva just to enrich themselves. Stupid CSO activists who don’t love Malawi.

Cognitive Dissonce Theory
Cognitive Dissonce Theory
5 years ago

When you were there, did you listen, 20 innocent lives were lost because you and your friends were adamant

DR MANGA
5 years ago

THIEVES DO NOT DESERVE ENGAGEMENT BUT CONFRONTATIONAL APPROACH.
A THIEF COMES TO YOUR HOUSE AND STEALS YOUR PROPERTY AND YOU TELL HIM LETS DISCUSS.

REMNANT
REMNANT
5 years ago

Banzi yakukwana Undule eti?

Duncan
5 years ago

Undule, who does not know that you serve the interests of DPP.
After all, you are free to represent the DPP in your constituency and no one will be amused with your direction.
Like someone has said, you are just like B. Muluzi.
USELESS.

Mahule 1,000,000 Jobs Party

Undule Mwakasungula is related to Kyungu. Kyungu is a Mwakasungula and just like Ngolongoliwa, Lukwa and Lundu he is a shithole chief who supports Alamu Pumani Mwakalamba. Kyungu stood on udf ticket in 2009. Useless Mwakasungulas.

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