BLANTYRE (Maravipost)–Malawi’s flagship daily, The Nation has condemned and trashed Civil Society leaders who organised anti-government demonstrations on Tuesday.
In its editorial comment, The Nation thought the CSOs would put their planned demos on hold to support efforts by government, development partners and other well-wishers in their response to the country’s state of disaster following floods that have so far claimed 48 lives nationwide.
The floods, resulting from stormy rains that have hit most parts of the country, have killed at least 48 people and rendering thousands homeless and destroying roads and other useful infrastructure.
“Indeed, the situation is nothing short of a national crisis.
“Yet, in spite of it all, civil society organisations sat it fit to brave the rains and march to district councils and civic offices in Blantyre, Zomba, Lilongwe, Mzuzu and Karonga, and present a petition in which they are raising several governance and socio-economic concerns.
“We find this lack of sensitivity by the civil society organisations to the national crisis deplorable,” says the paper.
The paper wonders why Civil Society leaders did not use their collective voice and energy to call for support for the affected or gather resources that can help alleviate the suffering that those affected by the ravaging floods are experiencing.
“This is why we fail to understand how the CSOs did not see the need to put aside their planned events to show they care about the very same poor Malawians they claim to represent, the ones that are reeling from the effects of the ongoing floods and destruction of lives and property.
“Thus, the only thing the CSOs managed to demonstrate yesterday (Tuesday) was their lack of sensitivity, and we condemn it in the strongest terms. What Malawians need now is relief from their situation, not petitions,” says the paper, which is published by Nations Publication Limited, 2014 MISA Malawi Print Media House of the Year.
However, the paper stated that the prudent use of public resources by government is an important element of governance.
The comment further says the use of donor funds by National Aids Commission or any agency in funding programmes that have nothing to with HIV/AIDs, such as Beautify Malawi Trust (BEAM) and Mlhakho wa Alhomwe, was arguably wrong.
“And yes, CSOs have a constitutional right to hold government accountable over such issues.
“However, this is a time every Malawian should be rallying behind government in responding to the emergency at hand,” says the paper.
