LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s civil rights group, Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) is urging President Lazarus Chakwera to consult thorough before making a change in policy direction.
The grouping cited the change of the fiscal year from the current July – June cycle to a new fiscal year which begins from April – March.
CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa told the news conference on December 24 that “Democracy demands that leaders should consult the governed before effecting changes”.
“Thus far, CDEDI is challenging President Chakwera to bring forward evidence that consultations were indeed made with relevant stakeholders before coming up with such a decision.
‘Should there be no evidence of the same, CDEDI will proceed to move the courts to stop government from implementing this policy shift, until such a time when thorough consultations have been done,” says Namiwa.
Below is CDEDI full press statement:
WE STAND FIRM TO SAFEGUARD AGAINST IMPUNITY
The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has been forced into action once again after noting some regrettable developments in the country in the past few days.
CDEDI and indeed all well-meaning Malawians woke up to the news that the Tonse Alliance government had changed the fiscal year from the current July – June cycle to a new fiscal year which begins from April – March.
Apparently, President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has acted within his executive
powers to make such a paradigm shift in policy direction. Although it is no
very strange to make such a change, CDEDI is of the view that relevant
stakeholders should have been involved through a thorough consultative
process.
It is even more mind boggling when one looks back at the history of one of the major alliance partners, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP). Malawians of good will should be worried with the current trend of making dictatorial policy shifts, which if left unchecked, it will set a very bad precedent, under the disguise of using the privilege of executive powers.
We at CDEDI believe that in a modern day democracy, deliberate efforts should have been made to create space for stakeholders’ consultations before government came up with such a drastic change in policy which will require amendments of some acts of parliament to accommodate the same.
Thus far, CDEDI is challenging President Chakwera to bring forward evidence that consultations were indeed made with relevant stakeholders before coming up with such a decision. Should there be no evidence of the same, CDEDI will proceed to move the courts to stop government from implementing this policy shift, until such a time when thorough consultations have been done.
As if this was not enough, on Tuesday December 22, 2020 Malawians were
greeted with yet another shocking news that government through the
Presidential Taskforce on Covid-19 had closed all the borders in a bid to
contain the further spread of the pandemic.
CDEDI believes such a decision should have been made with the relevant stakeholders who are likely to be directly affected, such as the revenue collection bodies and other business operators that are involved in cross border trade.
CDEDI is further challenging the Malawi government to learn from the
neighboring country Tanzania on how they managed to contain the pandemic without tampering with the boarders, and immediately rescind its decision for the same reason of infringing on the economic rights of those people whose livelihoods depend on cross border trade. CDEDI will again move the courts in the event that government decides not to rescind its decision.
Thirdly, CDEDI regrets to report that Malawians will celebrate Christmas and the New Year with the shocking revelation of increased domestic debt which has the potential to push up the inflation rate, the lending rate and by
extension increased cost of living, a development that will eat away disposable cash and in the process push more people into poverty.
Ironically, the very same people that were promised decent meals a day will be starving.
CDEDI believes such unfortunate circumstances could easily be contained if President Chakwera stood firm on his promise to control unnecessary expenses such as external travels and the unjustifiable local travels.
This is also a timely warning and reminder to the Tonse Alliance government to embrace austerity measures by spending on areas that bring value for the money spent.
This briefing is also coming at a time when the VAT on cocking oil is showing its ugly face on the poor people since the shelf price for cooking oil has gone up.
CDEDI is therefore challenging the Tonse Alliance administration to scrap
off the 16. 5 percent VAT.
CDEDI and indeed well meaning Malawians are closely monitoring the way the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) is discharging its duties.
However, we dismayed with its deafening silence regarding the rot that has been put to light at the Karonga District Council recently.
CDEDI is challenging the ACB Director Reyneck Matemba to zero in on the alleged corruption and abuse of power at the council before Malawians make their own conclusions. This is a clear example of selective application of justice CDEDI has been advocating against.
On the other hand CDEDI has learnt with shock the news that the Agriculture Development and Marketing Corporation (ADMARC) is yet to pay traders who supplied maize recently.
This is unacceptable since the parastatal is depriving the suppliers their source of income and livelihood. CDEDI is, therefore, challenging President Chakwera to swiftly intervene on the matter.
President Chakwera however has never responded directly to CDEDI on various national concerns raised.