BLANTYRE (Maravipost)–United Nations Resident Representative to Malawi, Mia Seppo has said the UN does not have a position on calls for introduction of federal government in Malawi, but their support is to ensure discussion on the matter is as inclusive and constructive as possible.
Seppo said this during the official opening of Public Affairs Committee’s (PAC) two-day national stakeholders forum on inclusivity and federalism in Blantyre on Monday.
“The UN does not have a position on federalism. Our support is to ensure the discussion is informed by governance expertise and cognisant of Malawi’s 20 years of efforts on decentralisation and devolution of functions.
“Second, the interest of the UN on this occasion is to help facilitate the space that will make this conversation as inclusive and constructive as possible. A discussion that serves the national interest and does not further deepen the post-electoral divides,” said Seppo.
she described PAC as one of the many “home-grown means” for dealing with tension and conflict in the country.
Seppo also disclosed that UNDP is supporting the establishment of a National Peace Architecture in Malawi, which she said, will help enhance and institutionalize Malawian capacities for promoting dialogue processes and peace building.
She told participants that democracies that have remained stable over time have somehow and in various ways set up mechanisms that allow ordinary citizen to participate in decision making, be that on foreign policy, or matters that affect the day-to-day lives of the people.
“There is no doubt that Malawi aspires to the inclusivity that is vital to the success of any democracy. There are several options through which a country can achieve greater inclusivity.
“The inclusivity that leaves no one behind and builds peaceful and resilient communities; the inclusivity that meets citizens’ expectations for voice; and the inclusivity that addresses inequalities and transforms economies,” said Seppo.
Speaking earlier, PAC chairperson Very Reverend Dr Felix Chingota observed that calls for federalism have gained ground among various stakeholders in the country.
Chingota, former Moderator of the CCAP Blantyre Synod, said while debate on federalism is a welcome development, there is lack of a constructive coordinated approach to enhance conversation on calls for federalism.
“Several vices have been not ranging from nepotism, regionalism and tribalism to lack of basic understanding on the concept itself and how it works.
“Many commentators have made their positions without appreciating the different forms of federalism.
“Of late, Malawi has seen the emergence of sections of Malawians forming groups that are against or for the federal system of government. If unchecked this could result into violent conflict and polarisation of the country,” said Chingota.
He therefore told participants that Malawi needs to promote inclusivity in policy formulation and implementation in a bid to promote social cohesion.
“In view of this, enhancing debate on federalism in timely manner is critical because within the process we may discover aspects that could feed into legal reforms within the existing framework,” he said.
He stressed that PAC feels that the whole debate hinges on inclusivity.
According to Chingota, the two-day national stakeholders forum on inclusivity and federalism is aimed ta enhancing a common understanding on inclusivity and federalism in the country.
The forum will also serve as a dialogue mechanism by allowing people to share a common platform to gain a deeper appreciation on the concept of devolution.
“PAC notes that there is a gap in appreciating how federalism fits into devolution exercise. Therefore, the forum is one of the events in a process that has been initiated to assist ourselves in dealing with this matter.
“Noting that issue is remains divisive in our contemporary discourse, PAC believes that Malawi has to take a process approach to appreciate issues surrounding devolution in general and federalism in particular, rather than rush to conclusions,” said Chingota,
The event whose theme is ‘Enhancing a Common Understanding on Inclusivity and Federalism in Malawi’ focuses on three topics–‘The History of Devolution in Malawi’, ‘Comparative Experiences on Federalism’, and ‘Decentralisation: State of Affairs in Malawi’.
