Malawi struggles to comply with AU charters, protocols

Civil society organisations (CSOs) under the State of the Union (Sotu) Malawi National Advocacy Platform (NAP) have exposed critical gaps in Malawi’s dreams, aspirations and commitments towards the African Union (AU) charters and protocols.

The CSOs expressed the concern in Kasungu on Tuesday during a Sotu workshop on AU Charters and Protocols that was graced by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation George Chaponda.

The Sotu project specifically targets 14 AU standards that border on agriculture, management of natural resources, combating corruption, strengthening regional integration, improving health care systems, consolidation of democracy and good governance, empowering women and youth, safeguarding human and child rights.

Malawi Economics Justice Network (Mejn) executive director Dalitso Kubalasa, whose network co-hosts Sotu Malawi project alongside Eye for Development (EFD), said through a 2014 compliances research Sotu Malawi commissioned, it was discovered that out of 14 instruments investigated, Malawi signed and ratified 12.

But he said although Malawi somewhat performed well at the level of signing and ratification, domestication of the ratified treaties, charters and protocol into the local legal and policy instruments remains a challenge.

Said Kubalasa: “It is not clear to what extent do the AU obligation inform the formulation of legislation and policies in Malawi.”

Reacting to CSOs’ concerns in an interview, Chaponda, who stated that government is a strong proponent of partnerships with CSOs, said Capital Hill is aware that accession or ratification to charters and protocols underline the commitment of member States of the AU, thereby contributing to the realisation of the union’s objectives and ideals.

Said the minister: “The main challenge is that we have not domesticated the treaties.”