New Year (2015) greetings!!! As the Malawian nation starts a new year today, the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) and Centre for Development of People (Cedep) would like to congratulate every Malawian—from leadership to citizenry—on earning God’s grace to reach this far alive. May the Good Lord keep showering His blessings, grace and mercies on this Great Republic.
Fellow Malawians, 2015 should, however, not allow us to forget 2014. Most importantly, we should remember 2014 for its peace in the country despite conducting highly contested tripartite elections. Let us carry this legacy safely into 2015.
However, 2014 had its troubled record to learn from. Irregularities-marred polls, unconcluded cash-gate cases, various strikes, water shortages, NAC-gates, closure of colleges, worsening conditions in the health sector to mention but a few, are some of the issues that made lives miserable for Malawians in 2014. So let 2015 be a turning point towards a desired direction for the country.
Fellow Malawians, 2015 means Malawi is clocking 21 years into a multiparty democracy dispensation with a progressive constitution anchored by human rights principles in place. For sure, this is no short period of a time in any recorded history. 2015 should, thus, dawn upon each of us to conduct a thorough self-assessment on the role we have played towards making Malawian democracy work.
To us, the citizenry, what role have we played? Have we pampered leaders to dictatorship, or pinned them down to principles expected of a democracy? So, as we enter 2015, CHRR and Cedep would like to make a humble reminder on the citizens that democracy thrives only on an active citizenry that reasons beyond political, tribal and regional trajectories. Citizens’ docility has no place in a democracy.
Fellow Malawians, let us make democracy work in 2015 so that we have a cash-gate, nepotism, corruption, executive arrogance, and dictatorship free Malawi. It’s doable. We can do it by consistently reminding those in government that the power to govern comes from us and that power should only be exercised in the best interest of us, the citizens, as stipulated by chapter III of the Republican Constitution. We can do it by demanding accountability and transparency from our government and other duty bearers on matters that affect us, the citizens.
We can do it by openly expressing our disapproval of government’s cock-eyed leadership. Where necessary and guided by the law, we can do it by taking to the streets, till we are convinced that government is prudently using the mandate we gave it.
Fellow Malawians, let us refuse to drink from a cup of cheap propaganda aimed at entrenching a hegemonic society. Let us standard up for human rights, good governance, rule of law and justice. Let us claim 2015.
May You Have a Prosperous 2015!!!
