Malawi Civil Society wrong on Army Commander and Reserve Bank Governor Appointments

Part of the statement released by civil society groups addressed appointments of Army Commander and Reserve Bank Governor saying by having the President appoint them smacks of politics. Indeed these should be political positions. Western countries of which our democracy is rooted from do make these positions as political and normally the incoming Head of state appoints his own people.

The statement from civil society read as follows:

“Whilst appreciating the intent of the public sector reform, it has been noted that the process has not been inclusive enough and taking into consideration existing legislations applicable to some institutions such that if not well managed and harmonized, the outcome of such process may be challenged at law and render it redundant.

It’s our considered view that tying positions of designated offices such as the Reserve Bank Governor, Army Commander and the Chief Justice to the presidential tenure of office makes these offices political, and unable to inspire confidence among the citizens of this country.

Government is urged to reconstruct the public sector reform and bring everyone on board. Most importantly, Government should pay attention to various existing legislations applicable to some institution that might render such an important process be of no benefit to its purposeful intent”.

The Reserve Bank Governor heads the institution which is concerned with financial and monetary matters, and thus has to be headed by someone who agrees with the President’s policies on these matters for him to be able to carry out his mandate.

The Reserve Bank Governor is the principal economic advisor to the President and plays a critical role in policy-making by bringing an economic and government financial policy perspective to issues facing the government.

The biggest threat to new democracies is the Army. There are so many African democratically elected Leaders that were overthrown by Army Generals who did not agree with the direction the civilian government was taking. We do not want that to happen in Malawi. Rawlings did it twice in Ghana. So many examples in Africa so it would behoove the president to appoint a General who they trust to protect the country but to keep them in power as well until the fulfillment of their term of office.