Four Northern Region Youth Groups says Malawi in Economic and Governance Crisis

Asks Pres. Mutharika to Come Out In ‘Hiding’ And Facilitate Dialogue To End The Crisis.  

The four human rights groups on Youth issues from Mzuzu have bemoaned with what they describe ‘the present depressing economic and governance crisis’ in Mutharika’s government and expressed dismay with the silence from presidency on the ongoing matters.

The four organizations; Youth and Society (YAS), Mzuzu Youth Association (MYA), Child Development and Support Organisation (CHIDESO), and Centre for Youth Development (CYD) has issued a statement dated 18^th December and is signed by Charles Kajoloweka Executive Director For YAS.

In their statement the organizations said silence of Mutharika administration is prompting citizens to feel abandoned by their elected government.

They mentioned government tardiness to deal with ongoing industrial strikes happening in Judiciary, at Anti-Corruption Bureau, Universities leading to closure of the institutions, economic crisis, fiscal indiscipline as evidenced by looting at the National Aids Commission (NAC), recent exposed salary increase for elected officers as well as recent ‘militia’ attacks of the DPP youth wing as spotted in some parts of the country are some of the major challenges that Mutharika is failing to handle.

“We wish to strongly bemoan the present depressing economic and governance crisis in Malawi owing to leadership failure at all levels of government. It is notably clear that the presidency is completely absent and government is increasingly losing control over national affairs; and citizens understandably feel abandoned by their elected government have the reason to worry.” Reads the statement

“We painfully observe that despite the unfolding precarious economic and governance crisis the country is facing, President Prof. Peter Mutharika has been implausibly silent and continues be so, suggesting lack of concern and cluelessness in dealing with the crisis. The leadership is probably absent in the crisis and citizen frustrations are growing. This is strange and unheard of any leadership.” Claims the statement

The organizations have therefore called President Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika and his government to open up and embark on an inclusive national dialogue in resolving the current crisis saying Mutharika has many options including convening an emergency Parliament.

Expeditious resolving of the ongoing strikes , re-open of the closed academic institutions and have also called upon the leader of opposition in Parliament Dr. Lazarus Chakwera and his Malawi Congress Party (MCP), and leaders of all political parties to provide pro-active constitutional oversight responsibility as expected.

In their recommendations the youth grouping have expressed rally behind of some CSOs calling for nationwide demonstrations on the current issues “We unreservedly endorse the call to defend our present and future. We will participate.” Reads the statement

President Professor Peter Mutharika’s government is continuing getting pressure from CSO’s and opposition parties over several economic related issues. Among them is the ailing economy, failure to resolve numerous industrial strikes demanding salary increment and the recent revelation that Mutharikas wife initiative BEAM Trust, National Intelligence Bureau and Mutharika’s ethinic grouping Mulhako wa Alhomwe asked and received HIV response funding from National Aids Commission (NAC) yet the three institutions work outside HIV response.