President Peter Mutharika Recovering From Rheumatism

President Peter Mutharika has just revealed that he suffered from ‘Rheumatism’ (Nyamakazi) as he was returning from United States of America, but has assured Malawians that he will be super fine in just two weeks’ time.

Mutharika Using Left Hand? Back From UNGA In Good Health

President Peter Mutharika pic by Malawi State House 

Malawians who welcomed President Peter Mutharika this evening at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA), and other thousands who glued their eyes to the live telecast of his arrival from United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) were surprised with his use of left hand when waving people and greeting officials as his right hand remained, crossed and unmoved.

Mutharika Seek Church Intervention To End Rampant Immoral Behaviours

Malawi President Peter Mutharika says the country is facing strange immoral behaviours and requires Church to help his government ending them.

Pres. Mutharika Order UNIMA Tuition Fees Reduction By K50,000

President Peter Mutharika has ordered University of Malawi to reduce the tuition fees by K50,000 after meeting with the University of Malawi Students Union (UMSU) at Kamuzu Palace on Thursday.

This is across the board reduction for all students on generic and mature programs at the University. For generic students paying the minimum fees this means a 12.5% reduction while for mature students paying minimum ranges of fees this is a 5.4 % reduction.

National Technical Committee Proposes Death Sentences To Convicts On Albino Attacks

The Chairperson of the National Technical Committee on the Abuse of Persons with Albinism in Malawi proposes death penalty as a deterrent to the unending attacks and killings of persons with albinism in the country and that President Peter Mutharika has never spoke against the death penalty.

Addis Ababa University To Honor President Mutharika

Addis Ababa University of Ethiopia has decided to honour His Excellency, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika with an award of Degree of Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa.

The Addis Ababa University of Ethiopia to honour Malawi President His Excellency, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika with an award of Degree of Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa, the Malawi State House office has announced.

Addis Ababa University To Honor President Mutharika

Addis Ababa University of Ethiopia has decided to honour His Excellency, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika with an award of Degree of Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa.

The Addis Ababa University of Ethiopia to honour Malawi President His Excellency, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika with an award of Degree of Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa, the Malawi State House office has announced.

IBAM Calls Govt To Develop Partnership Policy

Mlombwa: IBAM President 

President for Indigenous Businesspersons Association of Malawi (IBAM) says local businesses can benefit from the Investment Forums being hosted by Malawi only if it there is policy that promotes partnerships between indigenous businesses and foreign investors.

IBAM president, Mr. Mike Mlombwa, was speaking on the sidelines of the Malawi-China Investment Forum which is underway in Lilongwe. The forum has been officially opened this Tuesday midday by His Excellency President Peter Mutharika.

Over 100 businesses from Peoples Republic of China particularly from Anhui Province are in the country to explore investment opportunities mainly in Agriculture, Education and Industry and are expected to interact with over 300 local businesses.

Pres. Mutharika Impressed With Investment Interests From Chinese Investors

President Peter Mutharika says is pleased with the Chinese business investor’s interests in sectors of Industry, Agriculture and Education.

A group of Chinese business investors from Anhui Province are in the country to attend the first ever ‘Malawi-China Investment Forum’ this Tuesday, 21st June 2016 at Golden Peacock Hotel in the capital city, Lilongwe.

Speaking at Kamuzu Palace on Monday evening, during the audience with the representatives from the People’s Republic of China, President Mutharika said the Chinese Investors have made “Strategic choice of focus.”

“These three areas are strategic to Malawi’s economic paradigm shift” stressed President Mutharika

Chakwera Says Malawians Are Suffering

Lazarus Chakwera

Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly, Lazarus Chakwera says Malawians are living in badly affected economy and quite different from what President Peter Mutharika has recently told Parliament that economy is slowly making progress.

Malawi Congress Party President, was responding to State of National Address this afternoon in the National Assembly.

Chakwera who themed his speech Dzukani A Malawi [Malawians Rise Up] said the President Mutharika speech was clear that he wants to keep Malawians waiting for the recovery and development of the country yet people wants results now.

“Mr. Speaker Sir, Malawians are desperate. They feel that their country has literally fallen apart.” Said Chakwera pointing out challenges like rising cost of living, cases of corruption in Government, poor electricity even shortage of food in ADMARC depots

“So even though the President claims that the economy is stabilizing, I am here to tell him that the only place where that claim is true in real terms is in the State House he occupies, where all his bills and living expenses are paid for by Malawian tax-payers. But for our people, who pay their own bills and living expenses, there is nothing stable about this economy.” he emphasized 

Most part of his speech Chakwera spoke about sufferings people are experiencing and at one point he emphasised "People are suffering in this country"

He also attacked point where president indicated in his speech that austerity measures and fiscal policies are bearing fruit as International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved the resumption of the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). Here Chakwera argued that IMF approving resumption of its programe does not make difference to the common person in the village whose life remains unchanged when comparing before and after the resumption of the ECF.

Chakwera even noted that international development partners are not coming back to resume direct budgetary support to Malawi because Government has failed to restore donor confidence for its "failure to change its wasteful way of doing business" and not that because of changes in developed countries.

Chakwera said “To put it bluntly, the Mutharika administration is a failed government!” because he said nothing is getting better adding “This is unacceptable!” 

He also advised Government to stimulate the economic activities of ordinary Malawians first in order to stabilise the evonomy of the country. He extended his advice to the need to ending the unaffordable and unrealistic interest rate policy of the Reserve Bank, which seems to base its rate on the price of maize.

"You can’t claim that you want to get Malawians out of poverty when the money they need to start business can only be borrowed at interest rates above 20%. As a result, the levels of default are very high and Malawians are losing their homes to find relief from the shackles of debt by which their own government is enslaving them. This is criminal." He observed 

Chakwera also observed that the President speech was grand claims without substance or specifics "This is called Hot Air.” he said

For example, he said there were no specifics in areas of; plan to turn the economy around, on the proposed commission to oversee national development issues, on the links between the performance of different sectors and national economic performance targets, even on actions the government will take to end its irrational dependence on such external forces as the weather.  

Commenting on Agriculture and Food Security which was greater part of his speech, Chakwera said the National Agricultural Policy (2016-2020) is a key strategic document for Malawi which is an agro based economy. But he said the country needs a clear roadmap to adequately address the current and future challenges facing the sector by adopting a broader framework designed to shift the agricultural sector as a whole towards a commercialization agenda.

He also highlighted problems facing the health sector as well as issues on rule of law among others.

Jumbe Welcome Mutharika Plans For Agriculture

Jumbe

Chairperson for Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development says President Peter Mutharika emphasis to intensify irrigation agriculture is right direction to make the country free of food shortage problems.

Felix Jumbe, Member of Parliament for Salima Central, however, said the country can completely eradicate the hunger if more funds are allocated to agriculture sector in this 2016/2017 National Budget for purpose of procuring food for people facing hunger this year and for this years crop production and investments in irrigation.

President Mutharika when addressing the National Assembly on Friday, outlined that agriculture remains one of the key priorities for Government because of its significance to the economy and that the sector will be placed highest priority to ensure both national and household food security as well as support agro industries.

“Government has also invited interested private sector investors to undertake commercial irrigation farming in order to boost maize production beginning this year. The programme will also involve medium-scale farmers and smallholder farmers to either utilize their existing irrigation facilities or rent unutilized irrigable land.” He said adding that Government will guarantee to buy the maize produced through the National Food Reserve Agency 

“We will also prioritize the development of dams and boreholes to reduce dependence on rain-fed agriculture.” And went on to add that Government will revamp extension farmer linkages by deploying more Field Assistants across the country as well as adopt some legislations and policies to guide the sector

“Government continues to prioritize investment in the Greenbelt Initiative in order to increase productivity of selected high value crops” he added

This has excited Honorable Felix Jumbe who said “This is a realization that this country is agro based and our strength in terms of economic recovery will come from agriculture without agriculture there will be no recovery”

He advised that "we need to increase production in Agriculture" and that President was being "realistic" in his speech.

“However, that discovery [that agriculture is source of recovery] is not enough” he observed, “Because we now have to put our structures, our investments and our priorities in agriculture right, to ensure that we can really produce and realize our potential” 

Jumbe said this years he expects to see the 2016/2017 National Budget allocating more resources to Agriculture sector for averting hunger to be faced by an estimated population of 3 million people and for crop production for this year which will bring food for 2017 season. He therefore welcomed President remarks to invest in viable commercial farmers to begin to produce maize for food and export

“That is a very good move because we cannot rely on the production from resource poor farmers to produce for the country” he said

He also highlighted the importance of begining to look at the investment in the sectors infrastructure "If we are to do irrigation we need to do good damming. If you put a dam in Mvera on Lilongwe river it should be able to irrigate the whole district of Salima, such investments are the ones that are needed.”

“So we need to look at the capital investments, structural investments so that Malawi can begin to move and that will also mean organization investment; we are looking at structural organization changes.” He said citing President Mutharika recently remarks that Water Boards should begin to look at irrigation as “type of actions that need to be undertaken”

He then proposed that it would make sense if Agriculture budget gets more allocation of not less than K250 billion for Malawi to change. He suggested that out of this figure, K100 billion can be used to procure food and K100 billion for farming while K50 billion can be for capital investments.

Opposition Angered By Pres. Mutharika Little Details On Addressing Albino Killings

Mutharika: said little on albino attacks

Opposition parties in Parliament have expressed their disappointment over President Peter Mutharika’s failure to give more details of how Government intends to fight against attacks and killings of people with albinism.

Both People’s Party (PP) and the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) concurred in separate interviews that the issue of albino attacks is a national crisis and therefore President Mutharika should have spent time in his State Of National Address explaining more about this problem.

In his speech titled “Towards Recovery and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development” President Mutharika touched on the issue of barbaric attacks of people with albinism when highlighting various support the Government made in 2015/16 financial year to disability and eldery.

He said Government undertook an investigative study to establish the root cause of attacks and killing of persons with albinism is some selected districts and that some cases have been speedily prosecuted and some suspects convicted by courts.

He then indicated that Government will in the next financial year intensify awareness campaign on the rights and welfare of people with disability, review the 1911 Witchcraft Act among others.

"We will ensure that our security institutions continue to work with relevant stakeholders in the protection of the rights of persons living with albinism, children, the elderly and other vulnerable groups" he assured later in his State of National Address 

However, opposition Parties are of the view that the President could have said more about this problem.

Mussa

Acting President for PP Uladi Mussa who described the Statement as a repetition of promises and that there was nothing new, expressed his disappointment that President Mutharika failed to provide clear details of how his Government intends to address the barbaric attacks of people with albinism.

“It is our worry as opposition, that we have seen there is nothing on the protection of people with albinism in this country.” Lamented then also singled out issues of secondary school fees hike, status of gay marriages issues and user fees in hospitals as some of the key issues that could have been articulated in the speech

“We thought that the President will give much emphasis on irrigation because the only way of dealing with our hunger situation is through irrigation, but the president has only mentioned about already existing [irrigation systems] saying Government would like to maintain them and not really that the big share of the budget will go for the irrigation in order to deal with hunger situation in the country” noted Mussa

“There is nothing new, it is a repetition, it is a song, it is like a campaign messages we have heard from this State of National Address.” he concluded

Eisenhower

Equally, the Malawi Congress Party Deputy Secretary General, Eisenhower Mkaka reacted, “We feel that the President could have said more on the issue of albino killings, attacks and exhumations of their bodies from graves but what has been said I think it is not enough”

He added that “It is worrisome” that the president did not give much importance to the issue which their party and Malawians regards “a crisis” that requires concerted efforts.

But, the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator Mia Seppo observed that though there wasn’t much from President on ending albino attacks, however, much is being done on the ground to address the problem citing the recent president meeting with APAM [Association of People with Albinism] an institution that is driving and representing the people with albinism and strong statements from Minister of Home Affairs as well as Inspector General of Police.

“So I don’t think that there was no direct reference to people with albinism in the statement” he said, “Because there was direct reference to human rights in general, there was also direct reference to protecting the most vulnerable in the society and there was also direct reference to persons with albinism”

But she stressed that in view of strong pronouncements being made on the attacks and killings of persons with albinism with the help of the recommendations recently made by the UN independent expert on people with albinism and the existing Government Response Plan on Persons with Albinism, “the focus should now be to build on that and implementation of that response plan.”

Seppo further stressed provision of adequate funding to the Department of Disability for it to implement the Response Plan and that she is obviously waiting for Minister of Finance Honorable Goodall Gondwe Budget Statement next week on how it is going to allocate for the response to albino attacks.

“The Department of disability is an underfunded department in an underfunded ministry so it is challenging and there is need to be kind of action across the Government in terms of trying to fund implementation of the Response Plan. And again there is need have very senior levels championing these issues” she emphasized

But she further commended action taken by President Mutharika in terms of meeting with APAM and some of the statements by ministries saying they are “very encouraging.”

ADMARC Has Adequate Funding To Eradicate Food Shortages-Muthatika Tells Parliament

President Peter Mutharika has informed Parliament that in the 2016/2017 Financial year, Government has provided to Agriculture Development Market Corporation (ADMARC) with adequate financial resources to procure maize as one way of addressing food shortages.

Addressing Parliament today at the opening of Third Meeting in the 46th Session of Parliament to consider the 2016/2017 Budget Mutharika said over three million Malawians will be food insecure.

But he said to address food shortages in the 2016/2017 financial year, Government has provided ADMARC with financial resources to procure maize soon after harvest to ensure that markets are fully stocked with commercial maize. 

He further informed the House that Government has also invited interested private sector investors to undertake commercial irrigation farming in order to boost maize production beginning this year adding that the programme will also involve medium-scale farmers and smallholder farmers to either utilize their existing irrigation facilities or rent unutilized irrigable land. 

In his State of National Address titled "Towards Recovery and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development” President Mutharika also mentioned that Agriculture  be the highest priority sector because it will ensure both national and household food security as well as support agro industries. 

Mutharika also informed the August House that he has directed that FISP should undergo further reforms to ensure that the programme is efficiently and effectively implemented. In the end, FISP must be run like in the private sector.

He also said the economy is slowly stabilizing citing the resumption of the Extended Credit Facility with International Monetary Fund (IMF) as testimony that the austerity measures and fiscal discipline are bearing fruits.

He added Government is optimistic that Malawi can do better and further assured the House that "we expect to improve the macroeconomic indicators for our economy as" a result of various measures Government has put in place.

He then indicated that the economy is expected to register a real GDP growth rate of 5.1 percent in 2016, and 7.0 percent in 2017 while the annual average rate of inflation is expected to fall from 21 percent in 2015 to 19.8 percent in 2016, with further improvements in 2017 and beyond.

In the ending 2015/2016 financial year on macro-economic environment and reforms, Mutharika noted that the Budget performance has been influenced by shocks caused by pressures from the rising food prices, exacerbated by low production of maize in the 2015 growing season due to floods, dry spells and early cessation of rain in most parts of the country. 

He said these effects the economy grew by only 3.1 percent in 2015 despite an earlier projection of 5.4 percent growth rate while the rate of inflation remained high at 21.8 percent in 2015 as compared to the projected rate of 16.4 percent. 

He further informed the House that the Domestic debt stock increased to K526.4 billion in 2015 as compared to K487.0 billion at the end of 2014. However, he said domestic debt as a ratio of GDP dropped from 15.6 percent in 2014 to 8.9 percent in 2015.

The opened Third Meeting in the 46th Session of Parliament to consider the 2016/2017 Budget this Friday, May 20 will end on Friday, July 8, 2016.

Malawi Ready “To Deal Accordingly” With Albino Attackers

President Peter Mutharika has warned people masterminding barbaric attacks and killings of people with albinism that they will be dealt with “accordingly” if they don’t stop the malpractice.

He was speaking at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Thursday evening when he met with the Association of People with Albinism in Malawi (APAM)

“I want to assure you that my Government will not tolerate this malpractice, which has brought fear and sense of insecurity among persons with albinism, their relatives and friends. This is evil, and a threat to the most fundamental human rights in our constitution. And we will deal accordingly with those that are associated with this barbaric act.” Warned Mutharika

“I would like to repeat my warning to would-be offenders: Stop abducting, maiming, killing or exhuming remains of people with albinism. Do not even think or plan anything in that line. You will be sorry for the rest of your life.” Emphasized Mutharika

This was a very significant encounter with the group in terms of discussing and map the way forward in protecting and promoting the life and rights of people with albinism who are being attacked for the misbelief that their body parts brings fortune.

At the very beginning the Malawi leader said the meeting with APAM was “serious business” and a clear testimony of the commitment that the Government and the Association have, to protect and promote the life and rights of people with albinism.

President Mutharika who reminded APAM that he has been making several pronouncements before on the matter, said the audience with them was mainly seeking to hear directly from APAM about their experiences, views on government efforts so far, and proposals that Government must execute in order to end this barbaric act.

“It is disheartening to learn of the rising incidences of abductions, killings and exhumations of the remains of people with albinism.” He said “Two months ago, we were talking of about 50 cases. Today, we have 66 cases recorded, for abductions, trespassing of graveyards, being found with human bones, suicide, assault of bodily harm, conduct likely to cause breach of peace, and killings of people with albinism.” Recounts Mutharika 

Mutharika indicated that as of Wednesday, now total registered cases of albino attacks is at 66, whereby there has been; 14 Kidnappings, 6 Killing, 3 Missing Persons, 28 Tampering with graveyard, 2 Assault of bodily hard, 1 Conduct Likely to cause breach of peace and 12 Found with human bones.

The President further mentioned that police investigations have shown that almost every district people with albinism are living in danger unlike in the past where the cases were happening in few districts.

“But Government has intensified the fight, and has so far arrested 69 suspects, and is prosecuting them.” Said Mutharika and thanked all who tipped off police about the suspects then called upon all Malawians to be vigilant and report any suspected cases to the nearest police

“We should all be our brother’s keeper.”  He appealed but reminded people not to use mob justice once they apprehend suspects by urging, “Please report them to police.” 

He in the same vein urged Traditional Leaders and all Malawians to protect persons with albinism “Let us work with the police to establish community policing in our areas and report to the police any suspicious characters. Let me also ask the Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare and her counterparts to urgently engage the Traditional Healers Association of Malawi to come up with ways on how to eliminate these atrocities of persons with albinism.”

President Mutharika mentioned that Government is taking serious steps against this criminal behavior and added “we are overcoming it.”

He mentioned that Government has intensified surveillance and investigations, and also intensified working relationship with the APAM. 

“I have also set up a technical Committee which will monitor the implementation of the initiatives that Government has put in place to curb the malpractices. The Committee comprises officials from Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Office of the President and Cabinet, Police, Intelligence, Ministries of Home Affairs and Internal Security and Justice and Constitutional Affairs. The Committee will report to my office on the progress being made.”

While thanking Police for the job well done so far in apprehending the culprits, Mutharika also asked them to do more. 

“Abducting, maiming, killing or exhuming the remains of people with albinism is criminal. Treat the suspects accordingly. I know you have secured 12 successful convictions and 2 acquittals. Let’s keep aiming higher.” He urged then also commended the Judiciary for prioritizing cases, and encouraged them to consider giving the stiffest sentences to the culprits

Mr. Bonface Massah, President of the Association of People with Albinism in Malawi (APAM) who spoke on behalf of the Trustees of the APAM and members of the delegation said people with albinism are in danger.

“It is clear that we are still living in great fear and it is clear that we are still facing a lot of challenges in terms of stigma and discrimination and it is really true that until today Malawi hasn’t had a perfect solution to end this attack.” Said Massah who hoped that the recommendations from the meeting will address the current challenges

He said this is a worrisome situation and warned that with current population of people with albinism and current pattern of attacks if nothing is done to stem the tide, then all people born with albinism faces risk of systematic extinction in next ten years. 

He also expressed gratitude with Government decision to establish a special taskforce on the matter “We hope it will bring out key changes in the lives of persons with albinism. For the past years it is very clear we have failed as a nation but we believe this is a new chapter for all people with albinism in Malawi to really reflect on the current situation and immediately have interventions that will address our current challenges.”

Before the meeting was held in camera, President Mutharika also announced that his Government will, on 13th June this year, join the rest of the world in commemorating the International Albinism Awareness Day, in line with the United Nations General Assembly resolution 69/170 of 18 December 2014.

Malawi is registering frequent reports of attacks, abductions and killings of Persons with albinism and even the remains are robbed from graveyards. These atrocities occur due to the misbelief that their body parts can grant benefits such as wealth and good luck when used in witchcraft. The body parts allegedly sell for high prices, on the black market.

United Nations Independent Expert on the rights of persons with albinism, Ikponwosa Ero who recently paid visit to Malawi to assess situation of people with albinism from April 18 to 29, 2016, requested Government to put its efforts into action if the battle to end attacks and killings of people with albinism is to be won.

“The situation of people with albinism in Malawi is critical, this is not business as usual it requires urgent reaction.” Noted Ero and called on African leaders to treat issue of albino killings just like they are treating issues of saving elephants from extinction

Ero further encouraged Malawi to focus on the investigation to identify the markets for body parts and final recipients including addressing the root cause of these atrocities.

Cabinet Secretaries Challenged To Provide Evidence Based Policies For Africa To Move Forward

President Peter Mutharika has stressed that Cabinet Secretaries have capacity to help African Governments move the right direction by providing the cabinets with evidence based policies.

Mutharika was speaking at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Monday when opening Third Africa Cabinet Secretaries Roundtable Workshop expected to end on 22nd April 2016.

Delegates from fourteen African countries are participating in the workshop themed: Enhancing Government’s Effectiveness through Evidence-informed Policy-making. 

Mutharika said the conference comes at a time when many African Governments are trying to develop and implement policies that will bear fruits for their citizens particularly policies that directly address poverty, inequality, as well as corruption. 

He emphasized that problems facing the continent of Africa can be addressed adequately through evidence based decisions and therefore “without evidence as the basis, policies are bound to be theoretical and unpractical” that “simply end up on book shelves, left to gather dust”

“Cabinet Secretaries fulfill a very critical role in the policy-making process.” Said Mutharika

“It is your duty to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in Cabinet decision making. It is your duty to ensure availability of evidence to Cabinet. This includes, among other things, making sure that all relevant stakeholders at all levels, including the beneficiaries of the policies, are engaged sufficiently in the development of the policy process.  It is your duty to ensure that appropriate procedures are developed to guide the policy-making process.” He said 

“If Africa is to move forward, we cannot tolerate haphazard policy development. We cannot accept policies that do not listen to the people, to the procedures, and to evidence.” Stressed Mutharika

He then reminded the delegates that “Africa is waiting for the results” and that Council of African Cabinet Secretaries is a living symbol of African government’s commitment to strengthen decision-making processes. He therefore urged delegates to seize this opportunity to engage adequately with each other and put together the best lessons they can. 

“What we bind in union cannot be unbound easily. This is your moment to form strong networks for sharing ideas and experiences. This is your moment to partake in the refocusing of the African vision. Show us the path of effective decision-making; and Africa will follow.” added Mutharika

Among others Mutharika said Malawi is making efforts to enhance the policy-making process. He pointed out the recently launched ‘Public Policy Research and Analysis Project’ aimed at strengthen the development and implementation of policies that are based on evidence as well as the development of a Policy Manual called ‘The Guide to Executive Decision-making Process’ a reference tool for all those who are involved in policy formulation and implementation. 

Dr. Ernest Surrur, President of the Council of African Cabinet Secretaries said the meeting will deliberate on policy formulation with focus on evidence and that the second agenda is on Role of Cabinet Secretaries in political transitions.

He also mentioned that the third agenda seeks to invite some Cabinet Ministers to better understand their perspectives in the decision making processes.

“One question for this discussion, is how to foster an evidence culture in cabinet where ministers will question their colleagues about the evidence to support the proposals from the perspective of the broader interest of Government rather than political point scoring as they compete with one another for financial resources and also for approvals of the President.” said Dr. Ernest Surrur, 

Dr. Surrur, said the network is supporting African Cabinet processes including strengthen capacity of secretariats to better support cabinet members on making better informed and collective decisions.

The first meeting of this kind was held in Ethiopia in 2014 while Ghana hosted second meeting in 2015.

The network was established in 2004 with a group of Secretaries to Government or Chief Secretaries where they meet periodically and consult each other and also mobilize resources for the trainings of the staff in the Cabinet Secretariat.

George Mkondiwa Chief Secretary to Malawi Government said Malawi has benefited immensely through the trainings from the network among others he said there is now a cabinet calendar where everyone would know when is cabinet meeting going to take place.

Mkondiwa also mentioned the trainings have led to the development of a Policy Manual called ‘The Guide to Executive Decision-making Process’ 

Delegates to the workshop include Cabinet Secretaries or their representatives and other senior officials from Cabinet Offices of Botswana, Ghana, Lesotho, Liberia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Somaliland, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zanzibar and Malawi.

The workshop is an initiative of the Africa Cabinet Government Network (ACGN) which was established in 2014 as a voluntary organization for Cabinet Secretaries.The ACGN, whose headquarters is in Freetown, Sierra Leone, serves as a platform for cross-country collaboration on evidence-based decision making and Cabinet procedures. 

The network was created out of necessity to provide formal and informal opportunities for the collaboration, mutual support and sharing of practical experiences.The network was as well established to provide technical assistance to the cabinet secretaries and others involved in managing the cabinet processes in Africa in order to facilitate evidence informed collective decision making bygovernments and effective implementation of their decisions.

Malawi Launches Short Video On Anti-Illegal Wildlife Trade Campaign

Malawi Government has launched a video clip to be used for the anti-wildlife trade campaign.

Launching the ‘Say No to Ivory Trade Campaign’ video on Thursday afternoon at Kamuzu Palace, President Peter Mutharika committed that his government will do its best to end wildlife crimes in the country.

The clip features President Peter Mutharika and 15 foreign ambassadors mainly informing people of the importance of wildlife and dangers of illegal wildlife trade.

 

 

At the very beginning of the video, President Mutharika encourages people not to tolerate wildlife crimes followed by messages from foreign ambassadors and it ends with the president Mutharika pleading with people to say “No” to wildlife crime. The english messages in the video have also been translated into official languages for each foreign ambassador featured in the clip but for Malawi it is Chichewa.

15 foreign ambassadors who featured in the video are directing messages to their own citizens both visiting and working in Malawi to support the country’s effort to protect its natural assets and fight international wildlife crime.

 

The launched video mainly focusing on Elephant poaching and illegal ivory trade will be shown in the airports and sent out on social media.

“It is so sad of what is going on and am sure we will do our best to make sure that we stop this savage and criminal behavior globally” reacted President Mutharika after watching the video clip which was played along with a short film from Kenya which is highlighting the impact of the ivory trade and how purchase of ivory products is linked to organized crime which is fueling elephant crisis.

 

 

President Mutharika said the video launched sends the strong warning to wildlife criminals that he will not under his watch allow natural resources plundered for the benefit of few and further warned that Malawi will not accept criminals to use the country for illegal trade or operate within its borders.

The Malawi President noted that survival of human kind also depends on the ability to protect natural heritage and that protecting animals is an economic-social and environmental responsibility.

He emphasized that failure to save Africa’s majestic species such as elephants and rhinos erode hope for the rest of the wildlife.

He said failure to act in combating illegal ivory trade and poaching now, Malawi will lose wildlife species, biodiversity as well a loss of opportunities for development through tourism and the associated impacts on agriculture and human health.

He said wildlife crime fight will be his Government priority and committed to do his best to make sure that wildlife criminal behavior is stopped.

“My Government is working hard to combat wildlife crime. We are adapting to the growing threat by strengthening our laws, improving law enforcement and increasing our inter-agency and cross-border cooperation among so many other strategies.” He said

Mutharika called on Malawians to be vigilant and work together to stop plunder of the God given natural heritage by urging every citizen to say no to illegal ivory trade and report any suspicious activity.

Malawi Requires Food Response! President Declare State of National Disaster

 

Problem of hunger in Malawi refusing to die as President Peter Mutharika on Tuesday declared the country, ‘State of National Disaster’, following Agricultural Production Estimates Survey by Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development which has projected that the country will face a maize deficit of more than 1 million Metric Tons (MT). 

The 2015/2016 growing season was marred with erratic rains across most parts of the Southern and Central regions of the country caused by strong El Nino conditions resulting in the drying of crops.

President Peter Mutharika announced on Tuesday that the second round Agricultural Production Estimates Survey done between mid-February and March this year indicates that there is 12.4 percent decline in production as compared to the 2014/2015 final round estimate.

The country’s maize requirement for all uses including human consumption is currently estimated at 3. 2 million MT but this year’s production is around 2. 4 million MT meaning the projected deficit is about 1. 072 million MT. 

This has forced President Peter Mutharika to declare State of National Disaster and appeal for humanitarian relief assistance. 

Mutharika: Asks people to help

“In the circumstances, it is very clear that we have food shortage in the country which will affect a considerable number of our fellow citizens. Accordingly, and in accordance with powers conferred upon me by Section 32(1) of the Disaster Preparedness and Relief Act, I declare a State of National disaster effective from today, 12th April, 2016.” He declared

“I fully appreciate all the previous assistance Malawi has been receiving when affected by disasters, including support for the on-going humanitarian response programme. However, I appeal for humanitarian relief assistance from the International donor community, the relevant United Nations agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations, the private sector as well as all fellow citizens of goodwill, so that, together, we can contribute in alleviating suffering on the part of people who have been affected by the food shortage.”

Mutharika said donations in cash or in-kind should be sent to the Secretary to the Vice President and Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs, Private Bag 336, Lilongwe 3.

He indicated that Ministry of Agriculture projects that the affected population will require about 790,000 MT of relief food. 

However, he said the Ministry will announce the actual deficit in June after third round production estimates while the actual number of the affected population will be determined by the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee in due course.

On part of Government he said there are plans to restock the Strategic Grain Reserve and ADMARC both with a total of 250,000 MT.

But, President Mutharika said, to avert a food crisis in the season requires total maize of 1.3 million MT.

He promised that Government will make sure that all affected people are taken care of and that the remaining part of food items from Government will be distributed to the affected people.

Last growing season of 2014 and 2015 the country also faced with sharp decline in maize production due to floods and erratic rains rendering 2.8 million people in 25 districts food insecure.

UN Urges Malawi To End Mob Killings

The United Nations (UN) has asked Malawi Government to put to an end of the ever increasing mob killings happening across the country.

Malawians have resorted to take law into their hands through a gruesome approach where suspected criminals are either being condemned by stoning to death or set on fire.

Since early this year, at least nine separate incidents leading to the death of 16 people have been reported and the problem seem to be worse in the Central and Southern regions of the country.

In a statement dated April 5th, 2016, Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Cécile Pouilly said UN is concerned about the increasing number of people killed in mob attacks and has asked the country to make efforts to end these cases.

"We urge the authorities in Malawi to act promptly to identify and prosecute those involved in mob killings, and to offer remedy to victims." Pouilly said in the statement

"We also urge the authorities to address the root causes of such attacks and to launch an awareness campaign to encourage people to report crimes to police rather than take justice into their own hands." Adds the plea

However the UN has since welcomed President Arthur Peter Mutharika's 30 March statement that strongly condemning these crimes. Mutharika called on all citizens, NGOs and Government agencies to support the Malawi police in its fight against mob killings in accordance with the rule of law.

It is reported that On 28 March, a mob stormed a police station, taking a man accused of murder out of his cell and killing him in Dedza, and that seven people accused of possessing human bones were attacked and set on fire by a mob on 1 March in the district of Nsanje.

On 25 January, four elderly members of the same family were also beaten and killed by a mob in Neno District, after being accused of using witchcraft to kill a 17-year-old woman by lightning. In a separate incident, on 3 February, residents of a township in Blantyre, set fire to a Court, apparently out of fear that it would grant bail to three men suspected of murder.

Presidents Will No More Sit On Speaker’s Chair-Legal Affairs Committee Proposal

No more sitting on this Chair again 

The very long tradition of having President taking seat on the Chair of Speaker of the National Assembly when opening the new Session and Budget Meetings will soon come to an end if the new amendment proposal by Legal Affairs Committee of Parliament is adopted by the House.

Process of enhancing procedures of calling President to respond to members questions and question times for President after delivering the State of National Address in the House has necessitated the Presidents sitting changes. 

Proposed amendment by the Committee will require President take seat on a newly allocated place while speaker still maintains his Chair so that he remains in control of the House.

Current sitting 

Proposed change on Sitting 

Current practice, Presidents take seat on the Chair of the Speaker and remain seated until finishing delivering the State of National Address and leaves the House while the Speaker seats on a new allocated place.

Chakhwantha

“You know that there is the need for President to be coming to Parliament to answer questions, and if we could not think about where he will be sitting, there would have been some complications whereby members of Parliament will fail to engage with the President.” Explains hon. Peter Chakhwantha, Chairperson for the Committee

“Because, once the Speaker leaves that chair, that means whoever sit on that, takes control of the House and if the President continues to sit on that seat, that means he will be the one deciding the game.” He said 

“So, we felt that the President should have his own seat and the Speaker should maintain that seat so that he is in charge of the House.” 

This new arrangement further means that the Speaker will during question time remain in control of taking questions on behalf of president for him to respond, taking point of orders and supplementary questions and make usual guidance of the House.

“So, if we were to leave matters as they are that means it would have been the President choosing who should ask him, and who should get answer from. So, we have done it in a way that President should come to Parliament but will have a reserved seat, while the Speaker, being the head of Parliament will still being in control of affairs.” Added Chakhwantha

President Treatment When In Parliament

When President enters the Chamber, takes the Seat of the Speaker and signal the House to take seat by saying “Pray Be Seated” and takes the Chair

After delivering the State of the National Address, Speaker seating at some reserved place, rises and makes some announcements after which he says “It is now His Excellency the President’s pleasure to take his leave (of the House)” and adjourns the House to the next sitting day.

Before President enters the Chamber, the House firstly convenes for short period of time which the Speaker after announces Business of the Day’s Sitting suspends proceedings until President takes his Chair in the Chamber. 

Committee Concludes Enhancement Of Laws On Calling For Presidents To The House

Legal Affairs Committee of Parliament has finally finished with an excercise of enhancing into the Standing Orders, laws for calling President to Parliament.

The Committee was mainly outlining in the Standing Orders the existing two Constitutional provisions Section 89 (3)(c) and 89 (4) that outlines procedures for the time the President is supposed to come to Parliament and called to answer questions from members.

The Committee decision to incorporate the laws into the Standing Orders is basically to help legislatures to correctly refer to each provision and know when to use them when calling the President to the House to respond to their questions.

Chakhwantha

Peter Chakhwantha, Chairperson for the Legal Affairs Committee explains; "What the committee has done is to make sure that the two have been clearly spelled out as separate provisions which also require different manner of being handled. So what we have done is put in black and white that this should be done this way and the other section be handled in this way.”

Under section 89 (3) (c), it is mandatory that before the House consider budget, the president should come to answer questions and policies of Government. And therefore, where the president is required to respond to questions in accordance with the provision, President may not delegate such functions to a member of the Cabinet. While section 89 (4) President can be summoned at any time by the motion of the House, however, during that time President can delegate a Cabinet Minister. 

At present, the President comes to the House for the opening of Budget Meeting and New Session of National Assembly to deliver State of National Address and after finishing, the President’s take leave of the House without being asked and it is difficult for members to call President to the House to respond to their questions.

But outlining of these laws into the Standing Orders will result in a slight change of the Programme of opening of the Budget Meetings as immediately when the President finish delivering State of National Address will follow question time from members for the President to respond.

"To make sure that we seal all loopholes that one would want to take advantage of, we have tried to put some procedures that will commensurate with the other section 93, because remember there are two sections there. The other one deals with President when he finishes addressing the Nation, but the other one is where you give 21 day notice to the President with the question that you want to pose and for him to come to respond to that which we just noticed of late that Presidents want to delegate most of these answers." Continued Chakhwantha

Chakhwantha then said by clearly outlining the two legislations into the Standing Orders will remove unnecessary confusions that have prevented members from inviting the President to answer their questions.

"There was no such confusion, but maybe it was deliberately created to wear that face of confusion. The law is very clear, the president is supposed to take questions from members of Parliament once he finishes delivering State of National Address."  He said, "But what happened that time, there was no need for us to go back to Standing Orders and work out as if these things are not yet provided in the laws of Malawi."

He then emphasized that the National Assembly needs President because some of the questions members have, were already attempted by Ministers and they preferred to defer them to have the Head of State consulted. 

"So, where they would say they would rather consult President in that scenario we would actually just ask the President to come. Where he has to delegate there must be sufficient reasons that can convince us.” he said 

During the just ended Meeting of the National Assembly, five legislatures who include Leader of Opposition and President of Malawi Congress Party, Lazarus Chakwera failed in their attempt to force President Peter Mutharika to appear in the House to answer their questions as it was noted in the House that legislatures had wrongly quoted the provisions.

Procedures Of Asking President for Oral Replies 

Current Standing Orders had only recognized Section 89 (3) (c) of the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi that states “The President shall each year… attend Parliament and shall… respond to questions”

The Standing Order sets therein procedures for asking questions to the President which are regulated by the Standing Order 50 (3) (b) as follows.

• Members intending to ask questions to the President will submit notice of their questions to the Office of the Speaker. But the question should not; be excessive length, involve more than one ministry, include names of persons unless necessary, include offensive expressions and include any statement of fact unless the question is unintelligible without it.
• The question will be sent to the Office of the President and Cabinet to prepare the responses and that questions addressed to the President are taken on Wednesdays.
• In asking the question, the Speaker firstly calls out the question number and then constituency name of the member before calling upon President to provide the answer to the question. But another member is not allowed to ask the question on behalf of the owner of the question.
• If the question has been asked but the reply is not given, then the question may be carried forward to the next time when the President is called again by the House to answer the questions and the carry over question shall take precedence over all fresh questions on the Order Paper of that day.
• Any member may ask a supplementary question directly arising from the original question for purpose of elucidating any matters of a fact on an answer which has already been given. And a Member may withdraw one’s own question either before the question is placed on the Order Paper or when the question is being asked in the House.