Synod warns against suppressing federalism
Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) Synod of Livingstonia has warned government and chiefs in Malawi against suppressing calls for federalism, arguing time for oppression is over.
Government, through presidential adviser on national unity Symon Vuwa Kaunda, has been countering calls for federalism by telling chiefs that its proponents want to divide the country and there is need for them to stand against it to ensure unity in the country.
Diverting from a religious component of Paramount Chief M’mbelwa V’s coronation ceremony at Edingeni in Mzimba on Saturday, synod moderator the Reverend Douglas Chipofya said no one should be threatened for supporting federalism.
He asked government, M’mbelwa V and other chiefs to allow people to debate federalism, saying Malawi is not a dictatorship where people can be threatened for voicing out their concerns.
Chipofya said if proponents of federalism are pushing for federal government, it means something is wrong.
He pointed out that the quota system of selecting students to public universities as a justification for federalism calls.
Government has been defensive on calls to abolish quota system despite three presidents, including incumbent Peter Mutharika and his brother the late Bingu, promising to end it.
“Some people have been speculating that the synod is against federalism. The stand of the synod is that proponents of federalism should be heard,” Chipofya said.
Former vice-president Khumbo Kachali said the synod is “the voice of the people and whatever it says stands and no one can go against it”.
He warned that the people will not stop raising their concerns until government listens to their cries.
Vice-President Saulos Chilima said there is need for people in the country to unite to accomplish developmental activities that Mutharika has outlined.
While the Synod Moderator is entitled to his opinion, I wonder whether he really understands what is arguing for? Does he understand the motive behind the call of feudalism and its implications? I am so convinced that he is wrongly fed by greedy politicians with myoepic view of the system being advocated for.
Nkurumah you are the one who is wrongly fed, myopic in and very greedy.
The simplest way is to let the synod in conjunction with Mzomera Ngwira to raise money for referendum on this issue
The approach government took in addressing the issue when it came up was wrong. But I am still of the view that it is wrong for the church to engage on such emotive political issues. We need to be preaching the gospel and save the dying world.
I support the sentiment raised by the moderator. Malawi is a democratic society as such anybody is entitled to their opinions and choices. Let those who support federalism and those against federalism convince us why we should go for their choice of government system!