MPs query JB’s GNU

Malawi’s legislators asked Speaker of Parliament Henry Chimunthu Banda to explain the type of government of national unity (GNU) being heralded by President Joyce Banda’s administration.

The confusion manifested itself during debate on Banda’s State of the Nation Address when an MCP legislator for Salima North, Kamphantengo Yona, standing on a point of order, disputed remarks by an MP on the government side,  Machinga South’s Harry Kamba, about Banda’s GNU.

“It is out of order for the Honourable MP to give the impression that all parties are represented in this government. MCP is not there,” said Yona, to the agreement of other opposition MPs.

Although the MCP is in the opposition, its president John Tembo has pledged full support to the new administration—with a declaration that there is nothing to oppose.

Also standing on a point of order, Mzimba Hora MP the Reverend Christopher Ngwira faulted Kamba’s remarks that Banda extended an olive branch to all parties. Ngwira said although some DPP members were appointed into Cabinet, DPP as a party is not included in the GNU.

“If some individuals from the DPP were included, it was through poaching. She used the poaching system,” said Ngwira.

But Kamba maintained his position that the current government is a GNU since “what I know some of the members of the Cabinet came into this House on your party [DPP] ticket.”

The debate culminated in Yona asking Chimunthu Banda to explain the matter.

Yona’s question attracted the attention of Leader of the House Henry Phoya who asked which standing order the MP was using to bring the issue onto the floor.

Chimunthu Banda supported Phoya and guided the House that the issue of type of government could not be defined by his office.