US envoy demands more action on Chizuma saga

 (USA) Ambassador David Young has personally registered his concern with President Lazarus Chakwera over the arrest and ‘humiliation’ of Anti- Corruption Bureau (ACB) director general Martha Chizuma, saying those responsible must be held to account.

The envoy met with Chakwera at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Thursday to brief him on the forthcoming US-African Leaders Summit in Washington DC next week, but said he took advantage of the meeting to raise his concern on Chizuma’s arrest on Tuesday.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Young said while it was good that Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Steven Kayuni has been suspended, there is need to do more.

He said: “I mentioned to him the deep concern of the United States about that terrible arrest of Martha Chizuma, the attacks on the ACB and the important steps taken to make sure that people are held accountable.

“It was important the DPP was suspended. It is important investigations go forward. We are going to follow these steps as partners. President Chakwera vowed that Malawi is committed to this fight.”

Young said government must focus all its energy on fighting corruption because the vice undermines democracy and prevents Malawi from realising its full potential.

He said the eight months he has been in the country, he has appreciated life in Malawi and he feels offended to see corruption fighting back.

“All Malawians, all partners must work together to make sure that people who did the horrific things that happened on Tuesday do not get away with it,” said Young.

After her release from a six-hour arrest on Tuesday, Chizuma met with Young and their picture went viral on social media.

On the same day, the US Embassy in Lilongwe issued a statement condemning her arrest and how it happened. Chizuma was picked from her residence around 4am and driven 48 kilometres to Namitete Police Station.

During the Kamuzu Palace meeting, Young said he also thanked Chakwera for accepting the invitation from President Joe Biden to attend the US-African Leaders Summit which will run from December 13 to15 in Washington DC.

The summit intends to discuss pressing challenges from food security to climate change, according to a statement from the US Department of State.

Chakwera is undertaking the trip amid austerity measures he instituted mid this year, which include cutting down on foreign trips.

Howev e r, Yo u n g supported Chakwera’s decision to accept Biden’s invitation, saying Malawians must understand that the President ought to attend these meetings for the benefit of the country.

He said: “These kind of visits are very important for Malawi’s interest. I think some people may not appreciate that because the last trip Chakwera made to Washington DC was extremely impactful. We would not have the Rapid Credit Facility [RCF] if His Excellency had not travelled to Washington DC.

“We would not have the extensive World Bank funding that is helping in this economic crisis and when he was there we finalised the Millennium  Challenge Compact… high level meetings make big difference to countries.”

In a statement posted on US Department of State website, Biden has indicated that this summit demonstrates “the United States’ enduring commitment to Africa, and will underscore the importance of US-Africa relations and increased cooperation on shared global priorities”.

About 50 African leaders are expected to attend this summit.

Earlier on Thursday, the President presided over the swearing-in of four new judges of the High Court. These are Howard Pemba, Eddah Ngwira, Etness Chanza and Allan Muhome.

In his statement, the President bemoaned cases of mob justice as it recently happened in Mzimba where two elderly women were humiliated on suspicion of practising witchcraft.