Declare state of disaster over albino situation

While politicians are wrangling and promising a secure future for all; while pastors, bishops, imams are asking for God’s intervention; while traditional leaders are demanding a return to their ancestors’ social umunthu; while human rights activists are planning to march;  while the police are investigating; while journalists are reporting figures and events; while academics are cogitating, analysing their data and ferreting for solutions and while the free and melanin-blessed are sleeping and dreaming, eating and drinking, swearing and stealing freely, persons living with albinism in Malawi are being tormented, hunted down like wild animals, killed, disemboweled, decapitated, and delimbed.

Some are snatched from their parents and relatives in the night. Even the dead are denied their deserved peaceful rest as their graves are desecrated. Just because they are living with albinism, they a mere commodity, an object for sale alive or dead.

Sadly, nobody knows where the albino-hunters will strike next. In January, they stuck in Nkhata Bay before striking in Karonga and this month they have been in Dedza.  The Association of People Living with Albinism in Malawi (Apam) indicates that 152 crimes have been committed against people with albinism, including 25 murders and 10 missing.  There could be other crimes Apam has not recorded.

In short, the albino situation is dire and needs urgent State intervention.  Apam has demanded that every albino be armed for self-protection. Maybe it can work. Apam has also demanded that a commission of inquiry to investigate the albino parts value chains, markets and identify the players.

We agree with Apam on the need for a commission of inquiry. Yes, as long as the reasons leading to the wanton terrorisation and murder of the albino population in Malawi are not addressed and debunked, the killing will go on ad infinitum.  

According to media reports in Tanzania, Mozambique and Malawi, people believe albino bones are made of gold, a precious metal over which states, families, friends have fought war, because it symbolises wealth and power. Albino bones and other parts are sold and bought. In short, there is a market.  Yes, unless we disrupt the market and unless demand is vanquished, suppliers will continue hunting down people with albinism.  Yes, unless poverty and lack of hope and opportunity are addressed, relations, fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers, aunts, uncles and cousins, even chiefs, will continue offering their albino relatives for sale. Yes, a commission of inquiry will address these comprehensively.

However, we are rather skeptical about commissions of inquiry.  How many commissions of inquiry reports have not been acted upon? Start counting:  The Orton Chirwa death inquiry, Matafale death inquiry, Bingu wa Mutharika death inquiry, Chasowa death inquiry, and other death inquiries produced reports and recommendations, but there has been nil action.

That’s why we propose a different option. While a vigil might force the State to act, action will be faster, better coordinated and funded, and have a more specific timeframe if the State declares a state of disaster or emergency and use national resources. That way even the military can be drafted in. Yes, even the Sadc intervention can be called in. Surely, Ngwazi Prof Dr Donald Trump will be prepared to send the CIA to investigate and capture the killers and traders in albino human parts.

Because people living with albinism in Malawi are scattered over the entire territory, their numbers appear small and their plight insignificant and something to gloss over.  However, statistics indicate that there are about 10 000 persons living with albinism in Malawi. This is equivalent to the entire adult population of Likoma district. 10 000 Malawians at risk of being wiped out. Time to act is now. Declare a state of emergency or disaster now. n