Confusion has erupted in Malawi's former ruling party now second largest opposition United Democratic Front between former President Bakili Muluzi and seating vice President Cassim Chilumpha who are fighting control over the party mantle.
The two, both of whom Moslems have dragged their fight into Malawi’s supreme Islamic body called Moslem Association of Malawi (MAM) with each one of them going behind the others back through agents wooing all members of the organization to support his bid for presidency of the party when they met for general meeting on April 24, 2008 in Blantyre.
And Sheik Yusuf Kanyamula of MAM has said he is worried with the rate at which the two politicians have dragged members of the body into politics. Kanyamula has since disassociated the body from politicking saying Islam religion does not condone divisions emanating from political fronts.
“Let me put it plain, MAM has never sent anyone top meet Muluzi or his rival Chilumpha pledging support,” he said. The party which became opposition after its winning candidate in 2004 elections the incumbent State President Bingu wa Mutharika ditched it to form his own Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in 2006, is geared to hold its general meeting where all positions would be up for grabs.
Muluzi who ruled from 1994 to 2004 and reluctantly handed over power to Mutharika wants to be the party’s presidential candidate for next year’s general elections. He has been saying he is interested to stand again with a sole aim of removing Mutharika from power because he insulted him by ditching the party that sponsored him into power.
Chilumpha who is answering treason charges for conniving to assassinate Mutharika is fighting Muluzi to leave the candidacy to him. However despite these agitations in opposition Mutharika has been comfortable on the driving seat. And a group of Zambian politicians including those from opposition parties who visited Malawi this year discussing crossititution said there are enough evidences that Mutharika would sweep next year polls.
Mutharika is highly revered for his impeccability on economy, rule of law, justice, security, anti- corruption food security and governance. He is expected to stand for the second term next year.
Sunday, 20 April 2008
Jack McConnell on aid to Malawi
Rebuttal
Jack McConnell on aid to Malawi
MY RECENT visit to Malawi regularly reminded me why, as first minister, I had been so determined that Scotland would contribute to international development. But one moment stands out. It was in Linthipe, a cluster of villages about two hours from the capital, Lilongwe.
I visited the area in 2005 to see the early work of the Child Support Project, set up by Dr Josephine Munthali, a Malawian who now lives in Scotland. Linthipe is her family's village, and she was determined to help, but there was much to do. There was little employment, the only community facility was a feeding station for the under-fives, many of them Aids orphans, and Gwengwere School was a few shacks with grass roofs.
When I left I promised the head teacher I would return, and that I would do my best to get a decent school for the area. Thanks to the generosity of Scots, there are now eight well-built classrooms that can be used all year round. Today the head teacher beams with pride. There is also a new community hall.
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Dr Munthali's project helps girls attend secondary school, and local women have received micro-loans to help set up a sewing business. I was so proud to be Scottish when the head teacher thanked me for the support from his friends in Scotland.
A new school, a few sewing machines and a community hall may not seem much, but in one of the world's poorest countries, the contribution from Scotland is life-changing.
Elsewhere I saw housing developments, the new maternity wing replacing the infamous Bottom Hospital, agricultural projects and support for schools, colleges and universities. Everyone spoke of Scotland making a difference.
As first minister I was determined to raise Scotland's international profile. To say we were the best place to work, study, visit and stay. However, that was never enough. I believed passionately that we had responsibilities to others too.
An international development policy was therefore required as part of our international strategy to help eradicate poverty. It built on the work of Scottish institutions such as the international development NGOs, universities, public sector, professional associations and faith-based organisations.
It was supported by a new international development fund, but the distribution of grants was not the central purpose. The primary objective was to provide effective support for individual Scots to make their contribution to building a better world.
We decided to focus on one country, not to be exclusive - projects in other countries would be supported too - but to be more effective. Malawi was a natural choice, already having strong links with Scotland, as the country that could inspire the highest level of participation from Scots. The Scottish people responded with an energy and commitment none of us could have foreseen. Thousands of Scots are helping in a practical way, with dozens of schools, businesses and health teams playing their part.
Sometimes our home-grown solutions are not appropriate for sub-Saharan Africa, but we are helping develop sustainable solutions. Large ones, such as the consortium between our FE colleges and Malawi's, improving vocational education in Malawi. And small ones, like Linthipe, which also make a lasting difference.
The relationship between Scotland and Malawi is a friendship between people whose daily life may be vastly different, but whose common bond of humanity is stronger now than 150 years ago, when Dr Livingstone first travelled to Malawi. We all have a responsibility to nurture that bond.
Jack McConnell on aid to Malawi
MY RECENT visit to Malawi regularly reminded me why, as first minister, I had been so determined that Scotland would contribute to international development. But one moment stands out. It was in Linthipe, a cluster of villages about two hours from the capital, Lilongwe.
I visited the area in 2005 to see the early work of the Child Support Project, set up by Dr Josephine Munthali, a Malawian who now lives in Scotland. Linthipe is her family's village, and she was determined to help, but there was much to do. There was little employment, the only community facility was a feeding station for the under-fives, many of them Aids orphans, and Gwengwere School was a few shacks with grass roofs.
When I left I promised the head teacher I would return, and that I would do my best to get a decent school for the area. Thanks to the generosity of Scots, there are now eight well-built classrooms that can be used all year round. Today the head teacher beams with pride. There is also a new community hall.
advertisement
Dr Munthali's project helps girls attend secondary school, and local women have received micro-loans to help set up a sewing business. I was so proud to be Scottish when the head teacher thanked me for the support from his friends in Scotland.
A new school, a few sewing machines and a community hall may not seem much, but in one of the world's poorest countries, the contribution from Scotland is life-changing.
Elsewhere I saw housing developments, the new maternity wing replacing the infamous Bottom Hospital, agricultural projects and support for schools, colleges and universities. Everyone spoke of Scotland making a difference.
As first minister I was determined to raise Scotland's international profile. To say we were the best place to work, study, visit and stay. However, that was never enough. I believed passionately that we had responsibilities to others too.
An international development policy was therefore required as part of our international strategy to help eradicate poverty. It built on the work of Scottish institutions such as the international development NGOs, universities, public sector, professional associations and faith-based organisations.
It was supported by a new international development fund, but the distribution of grants was not the central purpose. The primary objective was to provide effective support for individual Scots to make their contribution to building a better world.
We decided to focus on one country, not to be exclusive - projects in other countries would be supported too - but to be more effective. Malawi was a natural choice, already having strong links with Scotland, as the country that could inspire the highest level of participation from Scots. The Scottish people responded with an energy and commitment none of us could have foreseen. Thousands of Scots are helping in a practical way, with dozens of schools, businesses and health teams playing their part.
Sometimes our home-grown solutions are not appropriate for sub-Saharan Africa, but we are helping develop sustainable solutions. Large ones, such as the consortium between our FE colleges and Malawi's, improving vocational education in Malawi. And small ones, like Linthipe, which also make a lasting difference.
The relationship between Scotland and Malawi is a friendship between people whose daily life may be vastly different, but whose common bond of humanity is stronger now than 150 years ago, when Dr Livingstone first travelled to Malawi. We all have a responsibility to nurture that bond.
England wrap up series sweep
England's netballers earned a clean sweep in the Co-operative International Test series against Malawi with a 61-36 win in the third Test at Wembley Arena.
But the visitors gave England a hard workout, and set up a potential scare early on, leading 5-0 from the starting whistle and challenging hard through the first quarter, which ended 11 all.
Malawi head coach Griffin Saenda was disappointed to lose, but felt that his side has learned many lessons: "We have learnt an immense
amount here, much of it from the England team - the way they train, the way they play. We will go home and work hard, very hard, and I know one day we will win."
Malawi came out hard from the first whistle, with GK Grace Mwafulirwa and GD Caroline Mtukule giving England shooters Brownfield and Cookey a torrid time with plenty of physical challenges that unsettled the home side's rhythm.
An ankle injury forced C Clare Elsley from the court, and Sara Bayman who replaced her was soon in the thick of the action, driving the ball hard through midcourt and providing a stabilising influence in the attacking third which settled the English front line. Brownfield soon found her range, and the quarter ended 11 all.
Rotation
The second quarter was all about England, with Brownfield and Cookey's rotation leaving Malawi flatfooted, while WD Naomi Siddall getting the better of WA Peace Chawinga and taking numerous sharp interceptions.
The home side took the quarter 19-4 to stifle Malawi's enterprise and the score ended 30-15 at half time.
Beatrice Mpinganjira returned to C for Malawi at the start of the third quarter, and her presence gave the African side more purpose in attack.
Mary Waya was once again in irrepressible form, squeezing passes through the narrowest spaces and scoring freely. England lost some of their sharpness, and Malawi took full advantage, with Mwayi Kumwenda and Waya netting some long bombs to keep their side in contention for the quarter, losing it only 12-15.
Thrills
The final quarter was full of thrills and spills, as fatigue took the edge from the Malawians' timing, leading to numerous physical challenges and clashes which unsettled the English attack. Newton, Hutchinson and Beckford Chambers were resolute in their defence against the inspirational Waya, and England kept their noses in front to take the win with something to spare.
Coach Sue Hawkins was pleased with the way her team had pulled the game around: "I felt we weren't very sharp in our warm up, and Malawi took full advantage at the start of the game. They really challenged us this week and it's great for world netball that they are emerging at such a rate."
England: GS Brownfield, GA Cookey, WA Corbin, C Elsley, WD Siddall, GD Beckford Chambers, GK Newton.
Changes/substitutions: following injury time out: C Bayman, Newton to GD, Beckford Chambers to GK, 3rd Q: Newton to WD, GD Hutchinson, 4th Q: Hutchinson to WD, Newton to GD.
Malawi: GS Mzagada, GA Waya, WA Chawinga, C Mpinganjira, WD Gedion, GD Mtukule, GK Mwafulirwa
Changes/substitutions: 2nd Q: C Malenga, 3rd Q: GS Kumwenda, Mpinganjira to C, WD Kayira.
Shooting statistics:
England: Brownfield 38/44, Cookey 23/34
Malawi: Kumwenda 8/9, Mzagada 8/10, Waya 18/25
Umpires: Alison Cormack and Rachael Ayre
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