“To escape criticism – do nothing, say nothing, be nothing”. – Elbert Hubbard.
I spent my Christmas with my family outside Malawi and it is amazing to learn the kind of “tall-tales” about the Malawi political landscape I picked-up. Nevertheless, the one that caught my attention is about our former President, Her Excellency Joyce Banda’s alleged activities abroad!
Apparently, they say that the former President is being mistreated, disrespected and persecuted by the current administration in Malawi; really?! They also add that, consequently, the former President has applied for political asylum in the United States of America. As a Malawian residing in Malawi and, with my fingers on the local political pulse day and night; I decided to call a spade a spade and, roughly; this is how I responded to the rumours milling around in the neighbouring Countries:
The current administration in Malawi should be commended in the way they have handled the former President. Unlike the former President who rushed to jail the current President and his close associates; the current leader of Malawi has not done that. Even when the former President’s name was mentioned by “Cash-gate” suspects that the former President was “involved” in the plunder of resources from government resources, no one went knocking on her door to ask her to go to her local police station to them with their inquiries. That’s unique on this Continent in matters like this.
Nevertheless, should enough evidence pile up and there is a Prima Facie reason to charge her then, that is the way Malawi will take and, we do not want any foreign politicians meddling in trying to stop us from following our own laws procedurally. If Her Excellency Joyce Banda was involved in the Cash-gate issues, then let the chips fall where they may ( “……a Juror does not sit to dispense justice as a favour, but to determine where it lies, and he has sworn, not that he will favour whomever he pleases , but that he will try the case according to the law…….”. Plato; In defence of Socrates, Euthyphro, and Crito by David Gallop) and the sooner her powerful friends understand that principle the better – our sovereignty as a Nation State needs to be respected.
Besides, the USA where it is rumoured HE Joyce Banda has applied for refugee status; on what grounds would that Country and indeed; any other Country in the West or right here in Africa grant Joyce Banda refugee status? If anything, as their friend, they should be diplomatically trying to encourage her to return home.
Allow our President to represent the people of Malawi and not some faceless foreign politicians whose interests are so remote compared to those of the poor but, proud people of this Country!
Authored by: Right Honourable D.C. Katsonga MP, Mwanza Central; Former Speaker of Parlliament; Malawi.
