Statement by IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde at the Conclusion of A Visit to Malawi

Press Release No. 13/2
January 5, 2013

Ms. Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), made the following statement today in Lilongwe:


“It is a great pleasure to be in Malawi for my first visit as Managing Director of the IMF. I had the privilege to meet President Joyce Banda and her cabinet, as well as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Malawi.I also had the opportunity to exchange views with members of parliament, development partners, and business and civil society representatives, including a group of outstanding women leaders. Today, I visited a group of women supported by the Microloan Foundation of Malawi. I was particularly inspired by their resilience and entrepreneurship.


“Malawi’s recent economic situation has been difficult. Drought and lower-than-expected foreign exchange earnings have dampened growth and contributed to a spike in inflation in 2012. Notwithstanding the current hardships, many of my interlocutors were confident that the ongoing reforms will turn the economy around—an optimism that I share.


“During my discussions, I congratulated President Banda on the bold economic policies of its administration, including the liberalization of the foreign exchange market. I welcomed the government’s efforts to address the unforeseen challenges through her continued commitment to economic reforms.Malawi has already made significant progress in addressing the serious imbalances that were hampering economic growth just a few months ago. I also stressed the need to stay the course, while putting in place social protection programs to alleviate the impact of the adjustment measures on the poorest households. Continued assistance from development partners will be essential to support the ongoing reforms.


“Looking ahead, we at the IMF will continue to support Malawi with policy advice, financial assistance under the program supported by the Extended Credit Facility, and technical assistance and training to strengthen capacity in macroeconomic management. Malawi, like all of Sub-Saharan Africa, has become increasingly integrated into the rest of the world. Key risks today include the global economic uncertainty and rising food prices. In this context, it will be essential for African countries to have strong macroeconomic frameworks, improve institutional capacity, and ensure sustainable and inclusive growth in order to maintain the impressive economic performance of the last 10 years. The IMF will continue to assist them in these vital efforts.”


IMF EXTERNAL RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
Public Affairs Media Relations
E-mail: publicaffairs@imf.org E-mail: media@imf.org
Fax: 202-623-6220 Phone: 202-623-7100

January 17 Demos: 13 Days To Go!

Consultative Session of Stakeholders on Africa´s Aviation Industry Development

...Brussels, 10 – 11 December 2012

In implementing the EU-Africa Common Strategy adopted in 2005 and the Joint EU-Africa Partnership established in Lisbon in December 2007, the EU has provided through ACP, support to further develop the African civil aviation sector in the specific areas of aviation safety, security and air traffic management. To that effect, a total of nine million Euros (€9,000,000) has been approved by the ACP Committee of Ambassadors and endorsed by the European Commission under the 10th EDF.



This support will be implemented within the particular framework of the EU-Africa Infrastructure Partnership under the overall EU-Africa Strategic Partnership which is under the coordination of the African Union Commission (AUC) for the African side and the European Commission (EC) for the European Union side.



In that regard, a Consultative Session of stakeholders on Africa´s aviation industry development was held at the ACP House in Brussels on 10 and 11 December 2012 to consider implementation modalities for the aviation sector projects. The Session was attended by African and European Stakeholders. African Stakeholders were composed of AUC, EAC, ECCAS, ECOWAS, UEMOA, Madagascar, AFCAC and ASECNA. The AUC, which led the African delegation in the discussions, was represented by Mr. David KAJANGE, Head of Transport and Tourism Division and Mr. Adiron ALBERTO, Senior Policy Officer (Air Transport) from the Department of Infrastructure and Energy.



The progamme to be implemented under the aforementioned fund will cover project activities related to improvement of aviation safety, security and the introduction of European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) in accordance with the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). The latter is part of a key strategy to move Africa from terrestrial based air navigation systems to more efficient and safer satellite augmented navigation networks.



The meeting was informed that following a bidding process which was carried out by ACP through an independent consultancy firm, the project to provide support on aviation safety and security was awarded to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) while the one on GNSS/EGNOS was awarded to the Agency for Aerial Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA) and the United Nations Science and Education Commission (UNESCO). The projects are scheduled to start early 2013 for the period of three years with possible extension depending on availability of funds under the 11th EDF.



The meeting established a Steering Committee as well as for the management of the projects which is chaired by the AUC and composed of the ACP, EC, RECs, AFCAC and AFRAA.



This endeavor is yet another mile stone towards the enhancement of efficiency in air transport in Africa as well as making its skies safer and more secure in line with the African Civil Aviation Policy (AFCAP) adopted at the January 2012 AU Summit. Moreover, it will contribute significantly to the acceleration of the economic integration of Africa as envisaged in the Abuja Treaty.

Consultation Meeting on AU-US Cooperation in Civil Aviation

The inaugural meeting on AU-US Cooperation in Civil Aviation was held in Washington DC, USA on 18 December 2012. The Meeting was co-chaired by Ms. Susan McDermott, Deputy Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs, US Department of Transportation (DOT) and Mr. Adiron Alberto, Senior Policy Officer (Air Transport), African Union (AU) Commission.



In attendance were Thirteen Officials from the US DOT, US State Department, US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), AU Commission, Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the African Airlines Association (AFRAA).



The main objective of the meeting was to explore areas of cooperation in the aviation field that would ultimately constitute a focused and concise cooperation framework and plan of action to be implemented within the overall AU-USA Partnership.



The discussion covered matters related to aviation safety, security, environmental protection, air transport policies, air law and regulations. The meeting was provided with overview regarding US aviation safety and security initiatives in Africa as well as policies and trends concerning air transportation between the United States of America and Africa. Furthermore, the Meeting was apprised of the implementation by African States of the African Civil Aviation Policy endorsed by the 18th AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government in January 2012.



The AU Commission acknowledged the assistance that the US has been providing to Africa through its initiatives on aviation safety, security and environment in implementing various programmes such as “Safe Skies for Africa”. The AU Commission expressed its appreciation as regard to continuous growing trade between Africa and US due to US Government Accountability Office (GAO). The AU Commission indicated that the continent is enjoying the ever increasing number of US Tourists visiting African touristic destinations.



AFRAA shared the experience of African Airlines in terms of transcontinental air connectivity and its active participation in the promotion of international air law instruments of utmost interest to African Airlines such as the Cape Town Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment and Protocol. In that regard, it was underscored that African Airlines are ready to contribute to the successful cooperation in aviation between the two regions.



In conclusion, the first consultation meeting provided fertile ground in developing a strong AU-USA common framework and plan of action on cooperation in aviation within the main frame of the AU-USA Partnership. It was agreed that the next round of consultation will take place during the 23rd Plenary Session scheduled in Accra, Ghana, from 2nd to 5th April 2013 and the third round of consultation is scheduled for Addis Ababa in July 2013.

African Union Commissioner Discusses Partnership with Japan on Trade and Industry Issues

Addis Ababa 04 January 2013 – AU Commissioner for trade and Industry Mrs Fatima Haram Acyl met with the Ambassador Extraordinary of the Republic of Japan to Ethiopia; Mr Hiroyuki Kishino today in her office today to exchange views on issues pertaining to Trade, Industry and Customs and on ways to work collaboratively for the economic development of Africa.



Both parties expressed appreciation for the very good relationship that exists between the AUC and Japan. Commissioner Acyl further thanked Japan for its continuous support to Africa within the framework of TICAD as well as through the World Trade Organisation on trade issues and through the World Customs Organisation on Customs issues.



Conscious of the challenges involved as compared to ASEAN, the Japanese Ambassador was particularly interested in the Department’s prospects on boosting intra-African trade and in the ambitious project of establishing a Continental Free Trade Area by the indicative date of 2017. He also highlighted the importance of adding value to Africa’s raw materials through the Accelerated Industrial Development of Africa (AIDA) and enquired about AU’s expectations from Japan in facilitating its implementation.



Commissioner Acyl emphasized the political will expressed by African leaders in dedicating the two Summits of 2012 to boosting intra-African trade and establishment of the Continental Free Trade Area, and by the creation of a High Level African Trade Committee composed of Heads of State and Government to champion the implementation of decisions taken in those areas. She then shared with the Ambassador the activities being carried out by the Department in pursuing that mandate, especially the formulation of an Implementation Strategy for concrete action at national, regional and continental levels. She also briefed the Ambassador on the resource mobilization strategy envisaged by the Department for the implementation of AIDA, including the sustainability of the Investment Monitoring Platform, a very useful web-based tool for potential investors in Africa, the pilot project of which has been funded by the European Union.



Both parties then discussed preparations for TICAD V which include elements directly related to trade such as trade facilitation and others that are cross-cutting with trade. Japan encouraged the AUC to play a role of policy leadership and to use the opportunity of the TICAD Forum to advocate with Member States on continental issues. Both parties agreed to meet again to discuss concrete projects.

African Union Commissioner Discusses Partnership with Japan on Trade and Industry Issues

Addis Ababa 04 January 2012 – AU Commissioner for trade and Industry Mrs Fatima Haram Acyl met with the Ambassador Extraordinary of the Republic of Japan to Ethiopia; Mr Hiroyuki Kishino today in her office today to exchange views on issues pertaining to Trade, Industry and Customs and on ways to work collaboratively for the economic development of Africa.



Both parties expressed appreciation for the very good relationship that exists between the AUC and Japan. Commissioner Acyl further thanked Japan for its continuous support to Africa within the framework of TICAD as well as through the World Trade Organisation on trade issues and through the World Customs Organisation on Customs issues.



Conscious of the challenges involved as compared to ASEAN, the Japanese Ambassador was particularly interested in the Department’s prospects on boosting intra-African trade and in the ambitious project of establishing a Continental Free Trade Area by the indicative date of 2017. He also highlighted the importance of adding value to Africa’s raw materials through the Accelerated Industrial Development of Africa (AIDA) and enquired about AU’s expectations from Japan in facilitating its implementation.



Commissioner Acyl emphasized the political will expressed by African leaders in dedicating the two Summits of 2012 to boosting intra-African trade and establishment of the Continental Free Trade Area, and by the creation of a High Level African Trade Committee composed of Heads of State and Government to champion the implementation of decisions taken in those areas. She then shared with the Ambassador the activities being carried out by the Department in pursuing that mandate, especially the formulation of an Implementation Strategy for concrete action at national, regional and continental levels. She also briefed the Ambassador on the resource mobilization strategy envisaged by the Department for the implementation of AIDA, including the sustainability of the Investment Monitoring Platform, a very useful web-based tool for potential investors in Africa, the pilot project of which has been funded by the European Union.



Both parties then discussed preparations for TICAD V which include elements directly related to trade such as trade facilitation and others that are cross-cutting with trade. Japan encouraged the AUC to play a role of policy leadership and to use the opportunity of the TICAD Forum to advocate with Member States on continental issues. Both parties agreed to meet again to discuss concrete projects.

Expectations for 2013

Finally, and as expected, the first rays of 2013 fell on the old stems of today- stems that have begun.

2013- that year which saw Malawi lose a sitting president; a year that saw Malawians become queue-mongers, as they battled for such basic commodities as sugar and salt and tea leaves in stock-depleted shops;a year that saw Malawi totter on the brink of economic collapse, as the Western world turned against a man they once touted: President Bingu wa Mutharika, the late - is now Malawi's new growth point. A point of regenration.

On these growths, new graces and mercies and calls may cling. Indeed, new hopes, wishes, aspirations may be born.

But, as happens in life, in equal measure they may die. Lucky are those who will be able to gracefully transform Malawi's sad lines to happy chords so that, in turn, we may find our appropriations authorised.

Let us not concentrate on faulting those who messed our past by bringing old bones to light. No. Instead, where we dwell, let the echoes die.

Of course, it is good to remember, and remind them, in moments when they want us to believe that we have forgotten of all those incidences we witnessed and saw, of the experiences we live to remember.

Of course, it is difficult to judge historical events as if they were happening for the first time. We can, all the same, just believe that they lie, that those things lie, secure in their decay!

Does this (believing that the old things lie secure in their decay) apply to the January 17 demonstrations being organised by the Consumers Association of Malawi (Cama)? How does it apply, since the demonstrations will be organised to settle old scores- the scores of 2012?

Well, it does not. The economic challenges Cama is talking about; the executive arrogance displayed by President Joyce Banda; the headless press releases being issued by Information Minister Moses Kunkuyu, who is deriding Cama Executive Director, John Kapito, for orchestrating the nationwide demonstrations; the innuendos coming from ruling People's Party officials- the likes of Hophmally Makande and Ken Msonda- are, all, not to blame for Cama's insistence that the demonstrations will go on.

What is at stake- and this is the real matter in the whole saga- is the right of citizens to express themselves in a manner they deem fit- so long as it is peaceful and considerate of other citizens' right to live peacefully and have a free conscious.

That is the issue.

Malawians, heavy at soul, and tired of having the dusk emanating from cruising Presidential convoys and motorcades- convoys and motorcades that have not rested for seven months simply because the Lady-President, Madam Joyce Banda, does not know the meaning of sitting at one place and working in the interest of the nation from morning till evening- dropping back a them, want to express their right to demonstrate by showing how unhappy they are.

There is nothing wrong with that. Remember the way Madam Joyce Banda described former president, the late Mutharika, as a tyrannical leader who butchered his own people, after 20 citizens- whose only crime was to express themselves in a manner condoned by the Republican Constitution- dropped dead in the streets of Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu. Some of them died in cold blood, unaware of the violent world around them, as they went about their business. One man- innocent and hopeful as all well-meaning citizens- was shot dead at his shop in Ndirande.

He had, as many times before, went to his tyre-fitting workplace to make ends meet on that 'wrong' day of July 20 and was met, violently so, by a bullet. The Malawi Police Service calls it a stray bullet- as if it came from the back of a duck as dung. But that deadly pellet came from a gun bought and duly registered by the Malawi Police Service.

So, it seems, Madam Joyce Banda might have been justified to name the former president names. Don't they call it name-calling? Madam Joyce Banda even backed the Civil Society Organisations tat planned the demonstrations, rendering her weight to their cause simply because she was a disgruntled Vice-President of the Republic of Malawi.

A Vice-President who was fired from her own party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on allegations that she was setting up parallel party structures along with her Vice-President Khumbo Kachali. Madam Joyce Banda said it was a human right to demonstrate and express oneself.

However, today, the very same Madam Joyce Banda wants to stand on the moral high ground and condemn Cama for organising the demonstrations. This, to say the truth, raises the question: For whom, or to whom, does history speak? To ordinary Malawians who lost their relatives during the July 20 and 21 demonstrations in 2012, or to the Joyce Banda who supported the fatal demonstrations but has now turned the corner, and is against them? Or, will history speak to her hypocrisy?

Now, is it not the very same Madam Joyce Banda who devalued the Kwacha by a whopping 49 percent in June, in the absence of cushioning measures? What is the basis, therefore, of stopping Malawians from demonstrating against the back-breaking negative effects and impact of the Madam Joyce Banda devaluation- sorry, I mean, devaluation of the Malawi Kwacha. Madam Joyce Banda just devalued the Kwacha, leaving Malawians at the mercy of monetary devices.

Malawians have now been forced to face the music, while Madam Joyce Banda eat free food, funded by the shoe-less tax payer, travels freely, without klosing a penny, and uses free State facilities in her frequent local and international travels. That is why Malawians are asking: Is this not hypocrisy? The truth is that we cannot wait for 'history' to grant us the response.

The response will be offered by history's brother: The 'present'! And the present, if we have to go straight to the point, is found in the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi, which backs citizens on peaceful demonstrations. If Madam Joyce Banda and her cronies are against the constitutional right to demonstrate, then, they are no longer upholding the Constitution they vowed to stand by, and for, in good times, and times of ill will.


This is the same Constitution that stipulates, explicitly, that Malawi shall have territorial integrity, and that this integrity should not be tempered with. But look at Tanzania now, and the way Malawians authorities are handling the issue. The Lake Malawi border dispute has been one of the major issues in 2012, and it is the hope of all Malawians that Tanzania will turn back from her bad ways, and abandon her outrageous claim that it owns part of Lake Malawi!

As Malawians hope that they won't be a repeat of the mistakes, miseries, and overload of 2012, the silent wish remains that: Let this unaccountable darkness move away! Let the economy not batter our hard-won freedom, from the confines of the 'deserted' President's office. This President who says she is just volunteering, but get's allowances for doing her juniors' jobs. Was charity this expensive?

Expectations for 2013

Finally, and as expected, the first rays of 2013 fell on the old stems of today- stems that have begun. 2013- that year which saw Malawi lose a sitting president; a year that saw Malawians become queue-mongers, as they battled for sugar and salt and tea leaves in stock-depleted shops;a year that saw Malawi totter on the brink of economic collapse, as the Western world turned against a man they once touted: President Bingu wa Mutharika, the late - is now Malawi's new growth. On these growths, new graces and mercies and calls may cling. Indeed, new hopes, wishes, aspirations may be born. But, as happens in life, in equal measure they may die. Lucky are those who will be able to gracefully transform Malawi's sad lines to happy chords so that, in turn, we may find our appropriations authorised. Let us not concentrate on faulting those who messed our past by bringing old bones to light. No. Instead, where we dwell, let the echoes die. Of course, it is good to remember, and remind them, in moments when they want us to believe that we have forgotten, of what we witnessed and saw. Of course, it is difficult to judge historical events as if they were happening for the first time. We can, all the same, just believe that they lie, those things lie, secure in their decay! Does this (believing that the old things lie secure in their decay) apply to the January 17 demonstrations being organised by the Consumers Association of Malawi (Cama)? How does it apply, since the demonstration will be organised to settle old scores- the scored of 2012? Well, it does not. The economic challenges Cama is talking about; the executive arrogance displayed by President Joyce Banda; the headless press releases being issued by Information Minister Moses Kunkuyu, who is deriding Cama Executive Director, John Kapito, for orchestrating the nationwide demonstrations; the innuendos coming from ruling People's Party officials- the likes of Hophmally Makande and Ken Msonda are, all, not to blame for Cama's insistence that the demonstrations will go on. What is at stake- and this is the real matter in the whole saga- is the right of citizens to express themselves in a manner they deem fit- so long as it is peaceful and considerate of other citizens' right to live peacefully and have a free conscious. That is the issue. Malawians, heavy at soul, and tired of having the dusk emanating from cruising Presidential convoys and motorcades- convoys and motorcades that have not rested for seven months simply because the Lady-President, Madam Joyce Banda, does not know the meaning of sitting at one place and working in the interest of the nation from morning till evening- dropping back a them, want to express their right to demonstrate by showing how unhappy they are. There is nothing wrong with that. Remember the way Madam Joyce Banda described former president, the late Mutharika, as a tyrannical leader who butchered his own people, after 20 citizens- whose only crime was to express themselves in a manner condoned by the Republican Constitution- dropped dead in the streets of Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu. Some of them died in cold blood, unaware of the violent world around them, as they went about their business. One man- innocent and hopeful as all well-meaning citizens- was shot dead at his shop in Ndirande. He had, as many times before, went to his tyre-fitting workplace to make ends meet on that 'wrong' day of July 20 and was met, violently so, by a bullet. The Malawi Police Service calls it a stray bullet- as if it came from the back of a duck as dung. But that deadly pellet came from a gun bought and duly registered by the Malawi Police Service. So, it seems, Madam Joyce Banda might have been justified to name the former president names. Don't they call it name-calling? Madam Joyce Banda even backed the Civil Society Organisations tat planned the demonstrations, rendering her weight to their cause simply because she was a disgruntled Vice-President of the Republic of Malawi. A Vice-President who was fired from her own party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on allegations that she was setting up parallel party structures along with her Vice-President Khumbo Kachali. Madam Joyce Banda said it was a human right to demonstrate and express oneself. However, today, the very same Madam Joyce Banda wants to stand on the moral high ground and condemn Cama for organising the demonstrations. This, to say the truth, raises the question: For whom, or to whom, does history speak? To ordinary Malawians who lost their relatives during the July 20 and 21 demonstrations in 2012, or to the Joyce Banda who supported the fatal demonstrations but has now turned the corner, and is against them? Or, will history speak to her hypocrisy? Now, is it not the very same Madam Joyce Banda who devalued the Kwacha by a whopping 49 percent in June, in the absence of cushioning measures? What is the basis, therefore, of stopping Malawians from demonstrating against the back-breaking negative effects and impact of the Madam Joyce Banda devaluation- sorry, I mean, devaluation of the Malawi Kwacha. Madam Joyce Banda just devalued the Kwacha, leaving Malawians at the mercy of monetary devices. Malawians have now been forced to face the music, while Madam Joyce Banda eat free food, funded by the shoe-less tax payer, travels freely, without klosing a penny, and uses free State facilities in her frequent local and international travels. That is why Malawians are asking: Is this not hypocrisy? The truth is that we cannot wait for 'history' to grant us the response. The response will be offered by history's brother: The 'present'! And the present, if we have to go straight to the point, is found in the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi, which backs citizens on peaceful demonstrations. If Madam Joyce Banda and her cronies are against the constitutional right to demonstrate, then, they are no longer upholding the Constitution they vowed to stand by, and for, in good times, and times of ill will. This is the same Constitution that stipulates, explicitly, that Malawi shall have territorial integrity, and that this integrity should not be tempered with. But look at Tanzania now, and the way Malawians authorities are handling the issue. The Lake Malawi border dispute has been one of the major issues in 2012, and it is the hope of all Malawians that Tanzania will turn back from her bad ways, and abandon her outrageous claim that it owns part of Lake Malawi! As Malawians hope that they won't be a repeat of the mistakes, miseries, and overload of 2012, the silent wish remains that: Let this unaccountable darkness move away! Let the economy not batter our hard-won freedom, from the confines of the 'deserted' President's office. This President who says is a volunteer, but get's allowances for doing her juniors' jobs. Was charity this expensive?

NEW YEAR STATEMENT FROM DR. NKOSAZANA DLAMINI ZUMA CHAIRPERSON OF THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION

In 2012, we celebrated success in a number of fields as the continent sought to achieve its common vision of development, peace and integration. The development outlook for the continent looks bright as Africa is now considered the next growth pole. A number of countries inched closer to their development goals by registering impressive growth rates, some of which were in excess of 10%. Other countries discovered new sources of wealth in the form of minerals, oil and other deposits. Good governance became the norm in many countries. In Somalia, the country has entered a post conflict reconstruction and development phase. In September, African mediation resulted in the signing of a historic agreement between Sudan and South Sudan. Our athletes took to the track and field in the London Olympics and brought glory to the continent. Many other countless successes were realized. 2013 will mark a momentous occasion for the continent: the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Organisation of African Unity, and 11 years of the launch of the African Union. As the Secretariat of the Union, the Commission will ensure that the marking of 50th anniversary is an important milestone in the history of the continent. It will be an opportunity to reflect on where we come from, appreciate where we are, and plan for where we are going in the next 50 years. In this regard, a long term African Union-wide strategic framework is under development. Similarly, the 4 year AU Commission Strategy (2013-2017) is being finalized. In the New Year, the continent will host the African Cup of Nations in South Africa. The tournament will be an opportunity for Africa and its citizens to come together as players and spectators. It will also be an opportunity to demonstrate the spirit of fair play, courage, respect for diversity and determination. More importantly, soccer as a catalyst for change will bring together communities across borders, races, colour, religion and language. But challenges await us as we enter the New Year. As a continent we are still dealing with conflict situations that derail the continent’s march towards development. The situations in Mali, the Central African Republic, and the DRC require our continued attention and resolution. In 2013, the Union will continue to monitor elections in Africa. For the first time, the AUC will be sending a Long Term Observer (LTO) Expert Mission to the scheduled March 4th 2013 General Elections in the Republic of Kenya. On the programmatic front, we are making progress in science, as scientific advancement will heavily influence tour development process. We are about to launch the Pan African University. Efforts to harmonise infrastructure development are well under way under the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA). The Commission is working with Member States to realize the goals of intra African trade. Agriculture remains the backbone of Africa’s economy. The Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) continues to be the platform best placed to raise agricultural productivity. With this programme, Africa expects not only to have enough food supplies but also to have excess to export, thereby contributing to family incomes and raising standards of living for the majority of the continent’s one billion people. Environmental and climate change are also major priorities for the Union as we seek to ensure that we leave a legacy of sound environmental management for our children. In terms of health, the Union will focus particularly on maternal and child health, under the Campaign for Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa (CARMMA) and on fighting the scourges of HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. Women constitute more than 50% of the continent’s population and their engagement in all spheres of human endeavor is imperative. Thus the Commission will continue to aim to achieve 50-50 parity in its employment structures, ensure that women attain decision making positions and to advocate for women’s development across the continent on the platform of the African Women’s Decade. As we enter the New Year, I would like to thank the Heads of State and Government of the African Union, Member States, and the African citizens for their support to our work. I would also like to thank the management and staff of the African Union Commission for their unparalleled commitment to our continent. The Commission is aware of the challenges that lie ahead of us, as well as of the need to consolidate the gains that have been made thus far. The Commission will do everything in its power to advance the continental agenda, building on the achievements registered so far. Africa is on the right track. United we are strong. On behalf of the African Union Commission, I wish you all a happy and prosperous 2013. Let us advance the ideals of Pan Africanism and the African Renaissance. Addis Ababa, 31st December 2012

RELEASE OF 279 PRISONERS

The Ministry of Home Affairs wishes to announce that it has pleased Her Excellency the President, Mrs Joyce Banda to direct that 279 prisoners be pardoned. The 279 prisoners who have been pardoned are those who have served at least half of their prison sentences with good behavior and were not convicted of serious offences. The release of the prisoners is part of the celebrations marking Christmas and the New Year. Ministry of Home Affairs Private Bag 331 LILONGWE

AUC Chairperson Approves the African Union Commission Long Term Observers/ Expert Mission to Kenya

Press Release Addis Ababa, 24 December, 2012: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission(AUC) has approved the deployment of a Long Term Observers (LTO)/Expert Mission to the scheduled March 4th 2013 General Elections in the Republic of Kenya. This is an initial step towards the institutionalization of African Union Long Term Observation Methodology and in response to calls by the AU Peace and Security Council for more in-depth, thorough and comprehensive Long Terms Observation Mission on the Continent that could inform early political developments in countries holding elections through which the Commission can take necessary preventive measure in order to ensure political stability in the continent. The Mission, first of its kind by the African Union, is in line with key AU democracy and elections instruments such as: • The African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, • The AU/OAU Declaration on Principle Governing Democratic Elections in Africa, • The AU Guidelines for Elections Observation and Monitoring Missions, • African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, 1981and • African Union Long-Term Observation Framework The Democracy and Electoral Assistance Unit of the Department of Political Affairs of the African Union Commission, has in effect concluded plans as mandated by the Commission for the deployment of the African Union Long Term Observers (LTO)/ Expert Mission to the Republic of Kenya on 10th January until 15 March 2013. The LTOs are expected to be joined by the Short Term African Union Election Observer Mission on 20th February 2013. The LTO/Expert Mission comprises of experts from different backgrounds including: Electoral Expert Legal and Human Rights Analysts Media Analyst Political and Country Analyst LTO Coordinator (s) and Finance Officer The Mission will remain in constant interaction with the AU Commission and present weekly report to the Chairperson through the Democracy and Electoral Assistance Unit prior to the 4 March 2013 Election.

Fun, Fun, More Fun!

High HIV prevalence rate worries Blantyre Synod

The Blantyre CCAP Synod has expressed worry over the rate of HIV infection in the Southern region, expressing hope, however, that the problem could be stemmed if married couples exercised faithfulness.
The Malawi Demographic and Health Survey (MDHS 2010) indicates that the Southern region has the highest HIV prevalence rate at 15 percent, followed by the Central region, 8 per cent, and the Northern region at 7 per cent.
These statistics are also reflected in the 2012 ‘AIDS Response Progress Report for Malawi’, submitted to the 2011 United Nations General Assembly Political Declaration to achieve: Zero new HIV infections, Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS Related Deaths for the period spanning from January 2010 to December 2011.
However, the report said a study on multiple concurrent partnerships found that religiosity per se was not associated with abstinence and mutual faithfulness.
“The most important component of religion on sexual behaviour was the content of religious teachings and monitoring sexual behaviours of members. The study also found that 95 per cent of religious institutions privately advised members to refrain from promiscuous behaviour and 50 per cent conducted sexual surveillance on its members; thus religious institutions could be critical in reducing high risk sexual behaviour,” the report reads in part.
Blantyre CCAP Synod General Secretary, Rev. Alex Benson Maulana, said the issues of HIV and Aids had affected the church, and stretched its resources as it tried to cater for the spiritual and physical needs of people.
Maulana said the Synod had responded to the need for more health services in the face of HIV and Aids by establishing the synod’s Development and Health Commission (BSHDC) in 2009.
“We need to offer hope to these people. Let’s not disappoint those living with HIV and Aids. We also need to encourage pregnant women who are in the dark about Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission to go for VCT.
“At the same time, we need to protect those who are HIV negative. The church is not just there to teach people; it has to lead by example, and can raise hope by avoiding stigma and discrimination,” Maulana said.
Maulana said the synod was concerned with the rate of infection in the Southern region, and was doing all it could to compliment government efforts.
“Let me thank the government for introducing life-prolonging drugs. This has reduced the number of funerals. God used the government to put in place the ARVs scheme, and I would like to urge President Joyce Banda to continue with the programme. ARVs have given people the peace of mind.

BSHDC Gender, HIV and AIDS Manager, Ulanda Mtambo, said it was worrisome that most of the people living with HIV were from the Southern region, which is the domain of the Blantyre CCAP Synod. She, however, said the situation could be reversed.

She said the fact that only 2.1 percent of people between 15 to 24 years were infected was an indication that the problem could be stemmed.

“While it is also unfortunate that HIV prevalence is also high among married couples, we can help reduce such incidences by promoting faithfulness among married people,” Mtambo said.
BSHDC Communications Officer, Jessie Puwapuwa, said, however, that the Synod does not have specific data on HIV prevalence rate among the CCAP Blantyre Synod faithful. She said, instead, the commission utilizes National Aids Commission (Nac), BRIDGE 11, and MHDS statistics.
According to the MDHS (2010), HIV prevalence among people who have never married is at 4.2 percent, at between 11.7 percent and 11.5 percent among people who are married or living together, between 20.7per cent and 24.8 percent among divorced and separated people, while the rate among widowed people is at 50.1 percent.

National Aids Commission statistics indicate that about one million people are living with HIV in Malawi, while 350, 000 people are on ARVs.

CDC: 22% Increase in HIV Among Young Gay Men

Young gay and bisexual men account for two-thirds of new HIV infections across the U.S.

The number of new HIV infections for young gay and bisexual men has increased by 22% between 2008 and 2010, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Wednesday.

Overall, the number of new infections across the U.S. has not changed at about 47,500 infections, according to Reuters. Gay and bisexual men account for 66% of those new infections, and African American men in this group account for more new infections than any other subgroup.

Joseph Prejean, chief of the Behavioral and Clinical Surveillance Branch for the CDC said the rising number of infections for gay and bisexual youth may be the perception that HIV is a highly manageable disease.
"We do realize that many men who have sex with men do probably underestimate their personal risk and believe that treatment advances minimize the health threat," he said.

CDC Director Thomas Frieden added that the average cost of treating HIV over a person's lifetime costs an estimated $400,000.-ADVOCATE

IMF Executive Board Completes First Review Under the Extended Credit Facility for Malawi and Approves US$20 Million Disbursement

Press Release No.12/498
December 19, 2012
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed today the first review of Malawi’s economic performance under a program supported by the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). The Board’s decision enables the immediate disbursement of an amount equivalent to SDR 13.02 million (about US$20 million), bringing total disbursements under the program to an amount equivalent to SDR 26.04 million (about US$40.1 million).
In completing the review, the Executive Board approved a request for a waiver of the nonobservance of the end-September 2012 performance criterion on the level of net domestic assets of the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM). The three-year ECF arrangement for Malawi in the total amount of SDR 104.1 million (about US$156.2 million) was approved on July 23, 2012 (see Press Release 12/273).
Following the Board’s discussion, Mr. Naoyuki Shinohara, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, issued the following statement:
“Drought in parts of Malawi lowered overall growth in 2012, and threatened the subsistence of nearly 2 million people. A spike in food prices and the continuing depreciation of the kwacha contributed to a surge in inflation. The external economic environment has also been more difficult than anticipated. Despite these challenges, performance under the Fund-supported program has been satisfactory.
“Tight monetary and fiscal policies are needed now to stabilize the exchange rate and curb inflation. Accordingly, the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) has appropriately discontinued a temporary facility for uncollateralized lending to banks and increased the policy rate in early December. Fiscal policy is also playing a role, including with the reactivation of the automatic adjustment mechanism for fuel prices which has cut untargeted subsidies that mainly benefit the better off. The bulk of the additional external financing provided by Malawi’s development partners will allow the government to increase outlays on social protection programs without increasing domestic borrowing, although the authorities are well advised to save a portion of those grants to build up international reserves from very low levels.
“The RBM has stepped up its oversight of banks with a view to addressing emerging threats to the stability of the financial system. It is paying particular attention to ensuring that banks facing persistent liquidity problems implement restructuring plans that put them back on a sound financial footing.
“The authorities are making good progress in implementing a wide range of structural reforms. On the budget side, reforms focus on strengthening tax and customs administration, as well as improving public financial management though greater expenditure control and the prevention of arrears. The authorities have also committed to removing regulatory hurdles to improve the investment climate and foster sustained and broad based growth.”

IMF EXTERNAL RELATIONS DEPARTMENT

Public Affairs			Media Relations
E-mail:	publicaffairs@imf.org		E-mail:	media@imf.org
Fax:	202-623-6220		Phone:	202-623-7100

The Malawi Government's Statement on The Appointment of Vice-President Khumbo Kachali as Overseer of the Electoral Commission

PRESS STATEMENT

Her Excellency the President, Mrs Joyce Banda, has listened carefully to the various voices expressing concern over the delegation by her to the Vice President, Right Honourable Khumbo Kachali, of her own role and responsibilities towards the Electoral Commision.

Her Excellency the President wishes to state very categorically that she is the first to insist upon the independence, neutrality, and non-partisanship of the Electoral Commission, in order for the Commission to deliver for our nation free, fair and credible elections.  Further, Her Excellency the President is the first to acknowledge that free, fair and credible elections are the foundation of our democracy and a very critical ingredient for peace and stability in our nation.

Therefore the undermining of the Electoral Commission’s independence, neutrality and non-partisanship by any person, is the last thing Her Excellency the President would tolerate in this nation.

As all Malawians know, the framers of our Constitution and the Electoral Commission Act were clear about the need for this nation to have an Electoral Commission that is independent, neutral and non-partisan.  Adequate safeguards are provided for in the language of the law and in practice, to achieve the intentions manifest in the Constitution and the law.  The language of the Constitution and the Electoral Commission Act are uncompromising.  In stipulating the only executive role, Section 6(1) of the Electoral Commission Act states as follows:

“Every individual member and employee of the Commission shall perform the functions and exercise the powers provided for in this Act independent of the direction or interference of

1. any public office
2. any organ of the government
3. any political party
4. any candidate
5. any person whosoever or organisation whatsoever

Provided that for the purposes only of accountability, the commission shall be answerable, and report directly, to the President on the overall fulfillment of the functions and powers of the Commission”.

Her Excellency wishes the Malawi nation to know that she and her government will fully respect this law.  Similarly, she calls upon all political parties, politicians and other stakeholders to fully respect this law.

Section 89(6) of the Constitution authorises the President, without limitation, to delegate any of her powers and functions.  The specific language of Section 89(6) of the Constitution is as follows:

“The powers and functions of the President shall be exercised by him or her personally or by a member of the Cabinet or by a government official to whom the President has delegated such power in writing”. 

In delegating to the Right Honourable Vice President the role of the President specified in Section 6 of the Electoral Commission Act, the President was not assigning to the Vice President a function different from the one specified in the law.  As must be clear to everyone, the President cannot give to anyone powers that she herself does not possess.

However, notwithstanding the clarity of the law, and although Her Excellency the President is convinced that the Right Honourable Vice President would have discharged the role delegated to him in a manner consistent with the law, she is of the opinion that the greater national good will be better served by allaying the concerns, fears and anxieties expressed by various Malawians and stakeholders.  Accordingly, the President has directed that the Presidential role provided for in Section 6 of the Electoral Commission Act shall no longer be exercised by the Right Honourable Vice President.

Moses Kunkuyu Kalongashawa, MP

MINISTER OF INFORMATION

18 December, 2012

The Malawi Government has followed with keen interest the healthy debate on the oversight role that Right Honourable Khumbo Kachali, Vice president of the Republic of Malawi assumed at the Electoral Commission in the recent cabinet that Her Excellency the President appointed on 6 December 2012.  The Government wishes to inform the public that Her Excellency the President will address the nation on the matter within the next few days.  The Minister of Information will keep the nation informed of further developments on this matter.

Hon. Moses Kunkuyu Kalongashawa, MP

Minister of Information

13^th December, 2012

Joyce Banda: Malawi's Leader in Plundering National Resources!

Her endless trips speak volumes.
Her thirst for allowances.
Her half truths about her care for the Malawian people.
Her policy meanderings on the public podium.
Her inner clique of recycled policitians.
Her tendency to run the Malawi nation as if it were another version of Joyce Banda Foundation.
Her stubbornness on requests to cut down on the, almost, never ending trips.
Her stiff necked-ness in zeroing in on Malawi's run away economy.
Her shaking voice, even before a group of primary school kids.
Her uncontrollable, almost irritable, voice when telling off perceived critics.
Her naivety in putting forward her policy goals.
Her failure to spend even four hours in office at Kamuzu Palace, Sanjika Palace, Mzuzu State House, and other State residences are all apparent reasons to point to that undesirable fact: She is not here to rule, but plunder, plunder, plunder, and make hay while the suns shines over her accidental presidency.
Yes, it (the presidency) is like her call is to plunder national resources and get out of power filthily rich!
Who said Joyce Banda was a billionnaire before April 5?
It's even doubtful that she had more than K200 million in her bank account when she became Malawi's president on April 5.
Tha explains- oh, yes!- her failure to declare her assets.
She didn't have much. That's what it means.
Start ruling and not plundering State resources, Joyce Banda!!!
Eish!!!      

Chief Law Reform Officer Urges Government To Act On Law Commission’s Report On 2004-6 Constitutional Review – Solicitor General Agrees To Revisit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Chief Law Reform Officer Urges Government To Act On Law Commission’s Report On 2004-6 Constitutional Review – Solicitor General Agrees To Revisit

At the Lilongwe launch of her publication Duty of Care: Constitutional and law reform, in Malawi, Dr Janet Chikaya-Banda urged the government to “fish out” the Law Commission’s report on the 2004-6 constitutional review and “move forward the recommendations”.

As chief law reform officer, Dr Chikaya-Banda was responsible for compiling the Law Commission’s report which was submitted to the Ministry of Justice in 2007. The draft bills accompanying the report have never been put before parliament. “They have been buried”, said Dr Chikaya-Banda. “We are still waiting for government to heed the views and express wishes of the people of Malawi who participated in the nationwide constitutional consultation”. She added that the inaction contravenes the duty of care imposed on the executive by the constitution and “cripples the effective functioning of parliament and the systematic development of the law”.

Solicitor General Anthony Kamanga SC responded that – as Law Commissioner in 2006-7 and a fellow member of the Constitutional Review Commission – he took Dr Chikaya-Banda’s plea seriously.

Mr Kamanga emphasised that the government “remains committed to supporting and taking forward the work of the Law Commission”. He also reminded the audience that there were “quite a few contentious recommendations” in the report on the review of the constitution, in particular those relating to Section 65, the recall provision, the clarification of presidential terms and the president’s right to appoint the vice-president.  According to the Solicitor General, these issues largely explained “why things did not proceed” under the previous administration. “The challenge we’ve had should be obvious to most of you”, he told the audience. Although there will always be “instances where government holds a different view on individual law reform programmes and may refer recommendations back to the Law Commission”, the Solicitor General confirmed that the new government was “revisiting the report of the Law Commission on the revision of the constitution”.

A presentation from Justice Edward Twea SC focused on the role of the judiciary in law reform. He stressed the importance of systematic, continuous law reform and described the Law Commission as “an important independent voice”, especially given “the influence of the executive over the legislature” in Malawi. The inclusion of judicial officers in the Commission’s law reform programmes was described by Justice Twea as “invaluable to the process”. He also drew attention to complications that can arise when law reform flies in the face of traditions and traditional values which have popular support, and when there are contradictions between the constitution and other laws.

The event was organised by Africa Research Institute, the independent think-tank based in London which published Duty of Care: Constitutional and law reform, in Malawi. It was held at the Sunbird Capital Lilongwe on 22nd November, and was attended by more than 100 guests including MPs, diplomats, representatives of international donors, and senior members of government departments, the judiciary and civil society organisations. The event was covered by a number of television and radio stations.

Summing up the presentations, Edward Paice, director of Africa Research Institute, agreed with Dr Chikaya-Banda’s statement that constitutional reform is “a very emotive topic in Malawi”. He pointed out that during the past 18 months the constitution and law reform have been to the fore in public debate, in the press and in pronouncements of the Public Affairs Committee. In this context, he hoped that the evening had been constructive and informative, and that the dialogue about constitutional reform would continue.

Duty of Care: Constitutional and law reform, in Malawi can be downloaded from the Africa Research Institute website: http://bit.ly/T6kcLb

Joyce Banda's Administration: A Bunch of Hypocrites!

 

...Joyce Banda  has started falling over her own words

Malawi's accidental president, Joyce Ntila Banda, is, today, an epitome of everything that goes wrong in Malawian society.

From a woman who rose from nowhere- if baking traditional cakes (Zigumu), mandasi, and zitumbuwa is to be considered as nothing less than the ashes- to become Malawi's president at the stroke of death (which death saw former president, Malawi's fallen visionary leader, Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika, die on April 5, this year (oh, how long it seems now), Malawians can hardly believe what they are hearing from this woman.

Mrs. Banda has, from nowhere, become the vindictive, vengeful, I-Care-for-Myself woman people always heard she was. This time, though, the people do not need to be told how vindictive, how pompous  how vengeful, how self-serving this woman is. They will get it from her, a woman who cannot even hold the level of hewr voice when speaking in public.

A woman whose sense of speech is that of a head teacher who disciplines pupils by scolding them with hot water!

Need examples of Mrs. Banda's hypocrisy, in the first place? Here we go.

Last year, Malawians were an angry lot. Angry at the rate Mutharika's administration was going. Among other things, the Mutharika administration attempted, and in real time managed, to subvent the press. This muzzling of press freedom was clear in the way the government introduced bills in Parliament, one of which went to the extent of giving the Information Minister- that gullible human being, male or female, who yaps untruths to the nation before their own children and dependents- powers to ban a publication, or publications, whose printings were deemed anathema by the big-berried non-human being called The Government.

Along with this shameless carding of shame came more shames. One of these shames, shamefully, pertains to the adverts (read, government adverts) ban imposed on Nation Publications Limited, one of Malawi's independent newspapers.

The economy was another shame, looking at the way fuel disappeared from pump stations. Basic commodities, including sugar, became so scarce it was threatening. What a shame that was, having no sugar in retail outlets that had never run out of sugar before (that is, after Malawi gained independence from Britain in 1964).

Never, in the history of the country, did public furry run as high as the sky- Mulanje Mountain's peak of Sapitwa (unreachable point) being part of the physical features that sank so low during that time of record lows.

All these miseries were worsened by the misery of a woman who, by chance and Mutharika's zeal to sell himself as an old man who was, at least, gender-sensitive, was ostracised by the Powers-that-Be because of something as petty as differences in opinion on political matters. We may add that it is also because of her ambitions then.

Mutharika has hand-picked Mrs. Banda to be his running mate during the 2009 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections. The both stood on a Democratic Progressive Party ticket.

But, before long, that old syndrome of an unknown political disease suffered by Malawi's democratic presidents (  Malawi's first president, Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda excluded because he had no Vice-President. But Bakili Muluzi, who became Malawi's first democratic president after the Referendum of 1993, and the multiparty elections of 1994, and Bingu wa Mutharika, who took over in 2004, after Muluzi had run his mile of two, five-year terms, ostracised the very Vice-Presidents they, themselves, had chosen under no duress in the later part of their reign. During Muluzi's era, the unwitting victim was Vice-President Justin Chimera Malewezi, who was mocked by Muluzi simply because he had problems with his kidney. Muluzi also called Malewezi 'Madeya' - maize or rice husks- when he handpicked Mutharika to be the United Democratic torch-bearer during the 2004 elections. In turn, when his dream of becoming Malawi's president materialised, Mutharika ostracised his Vice-President Cassim Chilumpha, to the extent of framing up treason charges against him, thanks to the 'wise and dynamic' Attorney Generalship of one Ralph Kasambara, the man behind the 'Constructive Referendum' speak ).

While Chilumpha was ostracised during Mutharika's first five-year term, Mutharika (as expected) hand-picked Mrs. Banda to be his running mate in 2009, only to start ostracising her barely two years into his second five-year term. The bone of contention was the DPP Presidency in 2014, the year Malawians will line up again, to elect the Head of State and Government.

Mutharika wanted his brother, Prof. Peter Mutharika, while Mrs. Banda had her sights set on the same position.

So, along with Vice-President Khumbo Kachali, Banda and Kachali started feeling the hit in the DPP, and were subsequently booted from the party at a kangaroo meeting held at one of the party's zealots in Lilongwe.

The charge: Mrs. Banda and Kachali were busy putting in place parallel party structures in their bid to 'beat' Peter to the 'throne'.

That is how the two ended up forming the People's Party, a party which, by the stroke of death on April 5, became the ruling party through the back door. Suffice it to say Malawi's electoral system is that of 'First-Past-The-Post. The country's system is not representative. It is not Parliamentary. It is presidential.

So, the party the president belongs to becomes the ruling party. It becomes the party of the people despite the people not voting for it.

Just like that.

And, so, the DPP became the ruling party in 2005, after Mutharika dumped it during the Anti-Corruption Day held on 5 February 2005 in Malawi's capital, Lilongwe. This was the first time an individual entered into government (in this case, Mutharika being elected on the UDF ticket in 2004) in order to form a political (as he later formed the DPP, which became the ruling party instead of the UDF). 

Normally, the tendency is for people to form political parties in order to get into government.

But Mutharika cannot be faulted for doing what he did. Fault the electoral system.

The same with Mrs. Banda. She cannot be faulted for hauling her People's Party into government. Unless the laws are reviewed and ammended, there will never be any form of insurance that will shield Malawians from this practice of In-Government-Unelected political parties deciding the destiny of Malawians.

However, we are interested in the days of Mrs. Banda as Vice-President; those days when the nation was sympathising with her due to the purported mis-treatment. During those days, Mrs. Banda supported any cause that seemed to relay what people had in mind.

She supported the July 20 demonstrations that saw 20 lives disappear- like vapour after the marriage of sun's rays and the sea. She also supported many other public causes.

Today, however, Mrs. Banda is against the demonstrations slated for January next year, calling them useless, unwaranted, and uncalled for. 

Her administration has, shamelessly, warned activist John Kapito- the executive director for the Consumers Association of Malawi, and former chairperson of the Malawi Human Rights Commissionj- against going ahead with plans to hold anti-government protests over poor economic policies and a deteriorating economic situation that has left consumers' pockets more tattered than they would if they were attacked by vicious rats.”

Riled by this, and President Mrs. Banda and her Vice, Khumbo Kachali's extravance, through their intensive local and foreign trips, the consumers’ body has vowed to press ahead with plans to mobilise people to stage a mass consumer protest that has, since, received the backing of UDF 2014 Presidential candidate, Atupele Muluzi, the Council for Non-Governmental Organisations in Malawi, the Public Affairs Committee, among other bodies.

Cama executive director John Kapito announced that the mass strike is likely to take place in January 2013.

But Banda, through government spokesperson and Minister of Information and Civic Education Moses Kunkuyu has said, "while the Banda administration will “forever respect freedom of expression in all its forms, the protests are signs of patriotism and irresponsibility”

Banda's government has, instead, asked Malawians to "fully reflect on the journey that the Nation has gone through between May 2009 to date and do a comparative analysis of the period between 2009 elections to April 5, 2012 and the period from April 7, 2012 to date.”

In their lop-sided sense of things taking  turn for the better, Kunkuyu says “Any Malawian with some sense of responsibility and honesty will realize that things have taken a turn for the better since the current administration took over the affairs of our country.”

This, to say the truth, is a modern form of nonsense called hypocrisy.

Let Malawians match against greedy politicians led by Mrs. Banda, people who are plundering national resources in the name of charity (for example, Mrs. Banda's distribution of flower to people when the World Food Organisation is doing the same, having received 20, 000 metric tonnes from the Strategic Grain Reserves, and other resources being mobilised. These efforts have, however, been hampered by a shortfall of US$26 million.

Why can't Mrs. Banda channel her resources to these people of good will, instead of distributing 600 50 Kg bags of maize worth K1.2 million at the cost of (including fuel and allowances for her government officials) K5 million?

Where is the common sense here?

Was charity this expensive?

The truth is that Mrs. Banda and her Orange political zealots are hypocrites bent at milking scarce national resources.

Shame!

The shame of our time. 

President Joyce Banda to launch the National Forestry Season in Kasungu

TATE HOUSE

PRESS RELEASE

14^TH DECEMBER 2012

President Mrs Joyce Banda will tomorrow the 15^th of December 2012 launch this year’s National Forestation week in Kasungu.

The president will take Place in Kasinjeni Village Traditional Authority Kaomba in the district.

President Banda is committed to fight deforestation in the country hence her involvement in this important endeavour. The President is aware that the unsustainable use of the forest goods and services, according to a 2010 comprehensive economic study, has regrettably cost our economy US $93 million.

Speaking ahead of the event, Presidential Press Secretary Steven Nhlane said “Climate change is real and its impacts are felt by all irrespective of gender, socio-economic status, and race. In Malawi this has translated in incidents of flooding, droughts, erratic rains and general environmental damage, emergence of new diseases. Taken together it is clear that climate change threatens our socio-economic development. We know that forest conservation is one of the most important ways of mitigating climate change so we must all commit to this national crusade to plant more trees and protect the forests that we have”