The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) has issued a Media statement on 6th December 2014 that aims at addressing various issues affecting the country today.
In its statement titled “Not yet the Malawi we need- “Examining the Malawi of today” the commission noted that the lives of most Malawians today and specifically six months after the tripartite elections is a mixed bag of joys and sorrows.
The Commission comprising of CCJP National, CCJP Chikwawa, Archdioceses of Blantyre and Lilongwe, Dioceses of Zomba, Mangochi, Dedza, Mzuzu and Karonga gathered on 2nd, December 2014, at Msamba Pastoral Centre in Lilongwe to reflect upon the operations of CCJP and the socio-economic and living context of Malawi.
“There are elements that are showing some glimmers of hope for an improved society yet at the same time there are also issues worrying many people that CCJP seeks to communicate to various stakeholders so that correct and proactive interventions are taken to ameliorate the suffering and the agonies of the people,” said the statement.
Peaceful Malawians that value co-existence and contact and dialogue; the spirit of resilience and a commitment to survival; an emerging critical and engaging citizenry and finally an emerging leadership that seeks to deal with issues rather than personalities are among the positive aspects that the commission singled out as glimmers of hope for an improved society.
However, the CCJP pointed out that there are major concerns overarching the socio-economic and political dynamics of Malawi. “If not dealt with in the short, intermediate and long term perspectives, this country may be beginning another 50 years with minimal prospects of positive transformation,” the statement said.
Cash gate and its Impact on the poor is one such major concern according CCJP. “Those who participated in looting of public resources must feel responsible for this worsening economic situation and the shrinking capacity of Malawi government in delivering quality and timely public services,” the statement said as it cautioned Malawians to be vigilant on possible contemporary cash gate practices.
According to the same statement the commission appealed to donor partners to seriously consider the plight of the poor who are only on the receiving end of financial malpractices of their leaders and public servants. “Under the spirit of solidarity, the poor Malawians need support and the legitimacy of this support can only be sent through government and other reliable non state actors. Therefore, development partners, we implore, should not abandon Malawi during its dire need.”
According to the statement Corruption; Massive Deforestation; Exploitation of small holder farmers and Dysfunctional Local Government structures are among other major worries by the commission of which must be swiftly addressed.
The issue of Public Appointments by the government is another concern of the commission; “Whilst, many commentators have argued that government can be inclusive and generate an integrated leadership representational framework, CCJP think, appointments of advocates on development and human rights and faith leaders has, in Malawi tended to cripple the conscious of the civil society and faith based movement in Malawi. “It has also, sometimes paralyzed and confused the “watchdog” role of the faith based institutions as well as the NGO movement.”
Other contentious issues that also needs to be addressed include lack of National Policy agenda; the numerous labour related strikes; poor Service Delivery; Domestic Violence; Irresponsible and over exited Leadership; Limited patriotism; the Role of Donors; Human Trafficking and Illegal Immigrants and Lack of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
SOURCE: Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Social Communications