Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lilongwe ( Fides Service)- “After eleven years of democracy, following 30 years of dictatorship, we appear to be threatened with a return of the past” said a missionary in Malawi where today 23 June, a motion was presented in parliament to suspend president Bingu wa Mutharika. “To understand what is happening- the missionary said - we must go back to 2004, the year of political elections. After a number of attempts to amend the constitution, former President Bakili Muluzi, who reigned for ten years, imposed on his part his candidate Bingu wa Mutharika who won the elections”.
“The new president has distanced himself from the party which led him to sin the elections and presidency” the missionary said. “To be totally independent the new president formed his own party DPP, made up of anyone anxious to guarantee themselves a future. The president has repeatedly sought to reduce the influence of Bakili Muluzi threatening to have him arrested, but he did not get very far. The first year of presidency has been a battle between the two”.
“ The country is on the brink of a serious food shortage and there are ten months to go before the next harvest. Because of its political uncertainty Malawi was not included in the 18 countries for which the G8 decided to cancel the foreign. Malawi the world’s sixth poorest country was denied its chance to cancel its debts because of corruption of the previous government and uncertainty of the present executive. The annual debt costs the country as much as its spends on education and healthcare. Prime minister Bakili Muluzi has a majority which vetoes any government proposals. After threatening to reject the budget now he wants the impeachment of the president for minor factors, but which are contrary to the constitution”. The Catholic Bishops of Malawi since Monday at a plenary meeting in Lilongwe, yesterday issued a stern warning to parliament for irresponsible behaviour which discredits the service to which it is called..
“Is this the end of democracy in Malawi?” the missionary asks. “For some time now enthusiasm has waned, people have stopped taking part in politics which is only for swindlers... hunger and poverty have done the rest. Because hunger leads to enslavement. And even hunger can be exploited”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 23/6/2005 righe 36 parole 479)
