Of secession of the North

I read with great concern a letter written by one concerned Malawian in response to the sentiments expressed by Peoples Party provincial governor for the North Rev. Christopher Ngwira. Being one of the sons of this region, I agree with Ngwira and all those that have raised alarm on the issue of underdevelopment in our region, but I oppose the style these voices are engaging the authorities..

The Northern Region is the smallest compared with other regions in size and population. Prima facie, one would quickly conclude that this is a region that can be easily developed.

Presently, the region has also proved to be endowed with various resources which range from productive human to natural resources such as minerals. I need not mention of the coal deposits at Mchenga, the uranium and niobium deposits at Kayelekera and Kanyika respectively, the oil deposits in Lake Malawi and more.

If I make mention of this, I am not trying to underestimate the valuable resources and contribution that the other regions of the country make. However, I am simply driving home the point that indeed with all this wealth, the North could have been at par in terms of development with other regions.

I would not, therefore, hesitate to join other voices that have implored our authorities to consider sharing the national cake equally among the country’s three regions.

In as much as that would be my position, I would, however, beg to differ in the style these voices are engaging the authorities. Some people from the region have called for creation of a federal system of government while others, such as Ngwira, have gone as far as calling for secession of the region.

These people argue that this could be one way of ensuring that the resources derived from the region are easily utilised for the region’s development. This might be correct. However, we need not forget that although our region is rich in resources, it is highly dependent on the other regions for its survival. For example, while sons and daughters of the region get educated, very few of these are either working or operating businesses in the region. They are either working in the Central or Southern regions. If the region is to secede, as suggested by these other quarters, does it have the capacity to absorb all its educated elites and provide them with employment opportunities? Can the region sustain itself in all spheres of basic life if it were allowed to secede? I think the answer to these questions is obviously NO!

Therefore, the calls for secession are misplaced and born out of greed and desire for power. It would be foolhardy to think that divorce is the only feasible solution when a couple is in disagreement. A wise couple would first engage each other and find a way to cement their marriage.

In the same way, I do not think the Northern Region has reached that critical stage where secession is the only available means to development. These calls only show that we are selfish and greedy people . Yes, the region is disadvantaged, but not to the extent of making such careless calls. I have always regarded such calls as voices of failed and power-hungry politicians who would want to fragment our country.

Politicians from the North should learn to preach unity of purpose. Former president the late Kamuzu Banda used to tell us that we are one people and indeed we are thus. If our politicians see that our region is underdeveloped and segregated, why can’t they positively engage those in authority?

I understand some of these calling for secession w ere once in authority. What steps or initiatives did they take to ensure that the North gets developed? Why the calls of seceding now that they are out of power? I think this is just being said to misguide the masses.

Such calls need to be condemned in the strongest sense. Yes, the region is under-developed, but our leaders need to channel such grievances to authorities in a positive, constructive and objective manner. We are one nation and let us live as such. Let the interests of our nation prevail over our personal interests.

—The author is a son of the Northern Region