In the future, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you are to tell him, ‘With a mighty hand, the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. – Exodus 13:14
During the second Malawian leader high-level visit to the US, Vice President Saulos Chilima met with US-based Malawi diaspora and assured them of the strength of the Tonse government unity among other concerns Malawians hold dear in their hearts.
The VEEP, along with the minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Sosten Gwengwe, are attending the United Nation’s meeting Financing for Development meeting in New York.
The response to the numerous concerns on Malawians’ minds about their homeland, left Malawians leaving the meeting with hope from the almost always negative tones one hears about Malawi.
The meeting with the second-highest Malawi leader visiting the US (New York and Washington DC) in these past two months, and has accorded the Malawian diaspora to engage with the country’s leadership at close and personal range; and thankfully, there seems to be an attempt on both sides of the connection: the government reaching out to its citizens like never before, and on its part, the diaspora having visible activities and projects beyond the remittances.
Amidst this, it has been a wet rag to always hear the negativity of Malawians that things are not working well in the Tonse Government; perhaps out of a fancy for defeat or failure of the powerful judiciary-induced triumph of the 2020 flesh elections that brought to power the Tonse Alliance administration of President Chakwera, and VEEP Chilima; or only plain jealousy; it is disheartening to hear from Malawians speak negatively of their country. I am one Malawian who is happy to hear that the Alliance Government is alive and kicking!
“…Does it have challenges? Yes. Can things be done better? Yes. But these are things we can and are working on.” (Sic) The VEEP said this in response to one of two questions I asked the Vice President, concerned that Malawi might another dose of President-Vice President wrangle, which has been the regular diet in Malawi politics since the Muluzi administration.
I also wanted to know why non-Malawians involved in corruption are not thrown into prison with speed the VEEP responded that he could not comment much since the cases are in the courts and investigations are continuing; however, he assured Malawians that Malawi upholds the rule of law and that Malawi does not have any sacred cows.
On initiatives like the Public Sector Reforms, Chilima confirmed that they are on course with projected visible results. He cited examples as the improvements in the processing of Malawi passports, the education system, and other service delivery systems. The VEEP further elucidated to the diaspora community that they have the Malawi passport, but Malawians in Malawi use the National ID as means of identification, outlining that there is no need for Malawians living outside Malawi to obtain the National ID.
I am one incredibly happy Malawian in the Diaspora!
Speaking earlier and on behalf of Malawians living in the Tri-State Area (of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut) Mr. Clifton Bobe happily informed the VIP visitor that “Malawians in the diaspora are getting more engaged in economic and social activities affecting Malawi.”
He added that as the world is now highly connected, “we are kept abreast of all developments happening in Malawi, whether through viral social media or WhatsApp postings or through the multiple online news outlets.”
Bobe said this clearly shows that Malawian democracy has matured.
Bobe’s lengthy and highly appreciated statement outlined how in June 2020, Malawi “showed the world what real democracy is all about by holding re-run elections. The whole world was in awe to watch how the judiciary and people of Malawi managed to have a peaceful and orderly re-run.
“Malawi is a shining light in Africa, especially given bad news like the coups in other parts of Africa over the past few years. Since 2020, there have been seven coups and coup attempts in African nations.
“Malawians (have the appearances of being) an example of true democracy and the rule of law.”
Bobe said that the diaspora is encouraged and thankful for the engagement of the Malawi Government whereby in the past two years There have been three visible Zoom meetings namely:
1. August 2020 whose theme was “Beyond Political Freedom to Inclusive Wealth Creation and Self Reliance;
2. On December 16, 2021, there was the Webinar for Financial Products For Malawians in Diaspora hosted by the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of Malawi; and
3. On April 9, 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Collaboration with the Ministry of Homeland Security Dept of Immigration and Citizen Services held a YouTube live stream for Malawians in Diaspora on the implementation of dual citizenship and administration of National Identity Cards.
On its part, Bobe said that there is a beehive of activity happening in the Diaspora community with multiple projects, poverty alleviation, building clinics, cottages, and schools, and raising funds to assist in multiple challenges in Malawi and Africa in general, such as natural disasters or COVID-19.
While at the Finance for Development, the Minister of Finance spoke on behalf of Malawi, and the Vice President spoke on behalf of the Least Developed Countries (LDC) organization, which Malawi has been chairing for the past three years. Its term of office ends this comping September.
