Kyungu quashes federal govt calls

Calls for a federal system of government have left Paramount Chief Kyungu and opposition politicians on a collision course, with the traditional leader, saying the system will spark anarchy in the country.

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) spokesperson Jessie Kabwila, Alliance for Democracy (Aford) president Enoch Chihana and People’s Party (PP) vice-president Harry Mkandawire have been pushing for the contentious system since President Peter Mutharika announced a Cabinet dominated by ministers from his Lhomwe stronghold in the Southern Region.

The opposition politicians say declaring the South, Centre and North federal States would ensure meaningful development across the country and equitable distribution of resources.

But Kyungu, in an interview yesterday, said it is too late for Malawi to be calling for a federal system because “we have been united for so long” and it will be hard to devolve some government agencies, including the Army and the Police.

He said the calls will only divide Malawians and bring about violence.

“We have lived together for a long time and there are intermarriages which signify unity. When we gained independence in 1964, MCP was in power and it never advocated federal system of government. Why now? Problems that have risen can be discussed without changing the system of government,” said Kyungu.

Reacting to Kyungu’s stand, Chihana said a federal government does not mean dividing people, but decentralising running of government.

Chihana cited such countries as Germany, South Africa, Mozambique, Britain and USA, where people coexist peacefully despite being federal governments.

“We are not talking of tribal divisions, but divisions based on developments,” said Chihana.