Extend visa ban on all Malawi ‘corrupt’ official: YAS urges Britain, EU, Norway to emulate

Youth and Society (YAS) has called on the United State of America (USA) and all bilateral partners in Malawi including but not limited to the European Union (EU), Britain, Norway, and Irish government to join in imposing travel bans to all “politically-connected thieves”.

The call comes after  the United States of America (USA) has banned President Peter Mutharika’s aide, Uladi Mussa, and his spouse for his alleged “involvement in significant corruption”.

The United States recently also imposed a visa ban on a number of Congolese officials accused of corruption or electoral malpractice.

In a statement signed by YAS Executive Director Charles Kajoloweka and made available to Nyasa Times, the organization has also called upon President Mutharika “who is no doubt” aware of Mussa’s corruption scandal to honourably relieve him of his duties as his special advisor pending the determination by the court.

“It is certified, Mr. Mussa is an internationally questionable personality due to his proximity to corruption. Such constitutional delinquents should never be near the Presidency or public office.,” said Kajoloweka.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested Mussa in March 2017 on charges of negligence and abuse of office,  for  aiding about 55 foreign nationals from Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda to illegally obtain Malawian passports and business permits when he served as minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security in the Cabinet of former president Joyce Banda in 2013.

He denies any wrong doing.

Kajoloweka said  the decision of the US  Government is not only a victory in the fight against serious and organized corruption in Malawi, but also a bold step by Malawi’s long-term partner in censuring the corrupt elite.

“Undoubtedly, this decision is a strong statement of solidarity to the people of Malawi, a majority of whom continue to wallow in abject poverty as resources meant for uplifting their lives end up in the pockets of the corrupt few,” reads part of the statement.

Kajoloweka labelled the decision as a breath of fresh air in the fight against corruption in Malawi.

“It is not uncommon that organised corruption is a major threat to Malawi’s development. For too long, politicians and senior public officials have routinely abused their entrusted power for personal and political gain, often colluding with businesses and criminal syndicates in the process.

“Their actions have facilitated a range of related crimes with resultant damaging consequences for the availability and quality of public services; for the economy and jobs; for social and gender equality; for the environment; and for public trust in democracy and the rule of law,” said Kajoloweka.

Mussa said he did not plan to travel to the USA anytime soon.

In recent years, Malawi has scored poorly on both local and international corruption perception surveys. Authorities have come under fire for a lukewarm approach to corruption.

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