Report on whether Malawi adopts Federalism to be tabled Thursday
Chairperson of the Legal Affairs Committee of Parlaiment Kezzie Msukwa is on Thursday expected to give a report to the House on scruting of the federalism motion put forward by Mzimba North legislator Yeremia Chihana (Alliance for Democracy-Aford).
The motion was last year referred to the Legal Affairs Committee for further scrutiny.
When he moved the motion, Chihana argued hat in the interest of equitable distribution of resources and development in Malawi, and as a solution to the challenges brought about by quota system in the Education Sector, coupled with the elasticity of Malawi politics, and to ensure equal participation in political decisions, the country needs to change its system of government.
“This House is satisfied that Malawi has now matured to change its system of government. To that end, this House resolves that all efforts and legal framework should be put in place towards the adoption of a federal system of government within a specified period.”
Chihana remains confident that the motion will be supported after passing through the Legal Affairs’ Committee, since there is evidence that national resources are not distributed equally.
He said: “Malawians are tired and they need change.”
The motion was previously defeated in the same House, when it was brought by Rumphi East MP Kamlepo Kalua who only got support from Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
In 2006, President Peter Mutharika, then a professor of international law at Washington University School of Law in the United States of America, proposed federalism as a solution to address the issue of national unity.
In his paper presented at the National Constitutional Review Conference in Lilongwe held from March 28 to 31 2006 titled Towards a More Manageable Constitution, he observed that Nigeria successfully resolved problems that were created by its three regions at independence in 1960 by establishing what are now 36 states and one federal territory.
However, in August 2014, three months after becoming President, Mutharika urged political and religious leaders against calls for federalism, arguing it would divide the country.
Koma yaa zabwino ndithu ma university onse alitu ku South ndiye federal Government ndiyabwino especially to us the Southerners musaone ngati mukupweteka ife
Federalism does not mean rotational presidency. All it means is one president will be elected together with 3 governors basi. Each region will have to use it resources to develop its area plus a little that government may allocate to desperate regions. So all taxes from the central would be used in the central. The South in the south and the North in the north. It is good because more power to develop your regions and bad because there are more fingers in the kitty
A typical DPP and tryinv to twist. Our federalism must address our problems and yours means civil war
Just see what the USA does. That is why other states are richer than others because of the value they provide.
I am in support of this 100%. Why should other regions pay for the development of other regions. Let every regions tax collections be used where they came from
Itabwera zikhonza kukhala bwino. Koma atumbuka anawunjikana ku Central ndiye kaya zitha bwanji?
Komanso ndiye kuti ma demo aja azingochitika ku North ndi Central basi nanga si ma organisers and participants amakhala akumeneku.
Ife phee pa South.
Their taxes would go to the development of the central region because they are using resources from the central region.
Pheee ndi njala yanu kudya nandolo. Central and North are Malawi’s breadbaskets
Kumwera kulibe njala. Malo a chonde olima ambiri. Amalimanso mu Mozambique mu.
The federal system that Peter Hitler Mutharika wanted to implement was to give advantage to the Southern region. It is like one dividing Carlifornia State in the USA into many states and allocate these states with more electoral colleges to exceed the present one. Peter Hitler Mutharika is trying to bring the federal system that will make the Southern region it alone to win the presidency and this should not be entertained. The FEDERAL SYSTEM of Malawi must recognize that no region or tribe is going to dominate others—it must be balanced to make sure our three region without the… Read more »
We want federalism. Everyone must know that by investing in a certain region their tax goes towards the development of that region
You got it all wrong.The south collects more taxes than the north. This is not the yardstick to distribute the revenue for development.
The federalism issue is too big for these useless MPs, when push comes to shovel, it should be for all Malawians to decide through a referendum….period.
We can’t rely on these MPs to make that huge decision for our country……these are the same MPs who have shown us time and time again that when voting on matters of national importance they would rather vote for what their party want and not what their constituents want…..
I agree entirely! Our MPs have demonstrated lack of objectivity when voting on issues of national importance! Their stomachs come first!
Eacm province must decide to be part of malawi or not, period
Federalism will ensure development in every corner of malawi and corruption will be minimized. Go for it i say.
Wrong. Each region has its own crooks!
Great idea move Tumbukas to the northern region like Kamuzu did and wanted. Start with the useless judges.
Wrong! That’s not the intent.
Its the mindset that develops a country not systems abale. Look at South Africa ANC leadership inherited a country full of wealth and development they are running it to the ground because of the mindset not the system. So let us have the right mindset about development and not create other systems that will only complicate matters.
federal yomweyo