MALAWI: CCJP Examines the Situation of the Country Today
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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 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.”
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)
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
Communications
