In an apparent bid to safeguard and advance democratic governance in the country, Malawi Government and civil society organisations (CSOs) yesterday signed a civic space agreement to promote democracy.
The signatories to the pact on the State side included the Executive, the Judiciary, Parliament and Non-governmental Organisations (NGO) Regulatory Authority while National Advocacy Platform chairperson Benedicto Kondowe signed on behalf of the CSOs.
In his remarks, Minister of Justice Titus Mvalo said government is committed to implementing the civic space pact as it believes in working with CSOs to promote democracy.
He said: “This event in particular marks yet another milestone in the maturity of our democracy. President Lazarus Chakwera believes in partnership of government and players of the civic space, the civil society and others.
“We believe that our goals should be complementary for the benefit of those that we serve rather than conflict with each other.”
But Mvalo cautioned CSOs and other civic space players playing the role of political parties.
He said: “We have an open door policy to dialogue and resolving issues. We do not believe in having a cat and mouse chase between government and those in civic space.”
Chief Justice Rezine Mzikamanda, who endorsed the pact on behalf of the Judiciary, said the agreement was key to promoting democracy in the country and they will play their part in the implementation of the pact.
“Each party should also play its right role in implementation of the pact. Citizens must have space to participate in governance,” he said.
On his part, Kondowe stressed that civic space is the heartbeat of democracy.
“Without it, the foundations of our constitutional democracy weaken, and inclusivity falters. By signing this pact, we reaffirm Malawi’s unwavering commitment to justice, human rights, and inclusivity,” he said.
In recent times there has been tension between CSOs and NGO Regulatory Authority, a government entity, regarding their operations under the NGO Act which the civil society insists stifles their operations.
The new law defines roles of the NGO Board and Council for Non-Governmental Organisations in Malawi besides demanding accountability for funds.
