pac communique-15feb2012

8/2/2019 PAC Communique-15Feb2012

1/4

DRAFT

PREAMBLE

We, members of Public Affairs Committee (PAC) and other interested groupssuch as media fraternity, political parties, academia, business groups havehad a two-day (14-15 , March, 2012) at Limbe Cathedral.

Prompted by signs in our societythat point to a crisis in political, economic and

constitutional governance and iinspired by our God prophetic mandate,

realising that God does not change the conditions of people unless the

people themselves show commitment to change them, did serious introspection

and critical analysis based on hard questions that need to be addressed if we have

to reclaim our future as a nation.

PAC is a faith based organization mandated to:To encourage religious bodies to fulfil their prophetic and religious roles, and

respond to the socio-economic and political affairs of the Republic of Malawi.

To encourage religious bodies to fulfil their prophetic and religious roles, and

respond to the socio-economic and political affairs of the Republic of Malawi.

To enter into and maintain a dialogue with any person, political body or any

other institution in the republic of Malawi regarding any issues of concern to

the nation;

To promote peace and tranquillity in the Republic of Malawi

The Conference was specifically called to:

To mobilize key stakeholders and various efforts towards a common agendaand collective redress to Malawis political and economic challenges.

To define a concerted strategy for engaging the government in dealing withthe present challenges Malawi is facing.

To enhance a unified voice among faith-based organizations, politicians andthe rest of civil society on issues of economic and political governance.

The conference focused on three topics namely:

The current political situation in Malawi, The economic situation in Malawi and The constitutional challenges.

OUR OBSERVATIONS


2/4

Current Political Situation

The challenges facing the country are largely of our own making; The expectations of the overwhelming majority that gave mandate to the

present leadership are fading away;

Malawi has drastically deteriorated from a country on the move from 2004 to2009; and is bordering on a failed state from 2010 to 2012 as seen in thepassing of unpopular bills in parliament; shrinking of dialogue space and

threats to alternative voices;

Lack of internalised democratic culture in the governance structures of oursociety especially in political parties;

For a country small as Malawi, we have too many political parties withoutdefined and distinctive political ideologies

Economic Situation

There is rising cost of living Businesses are shrinking and people are losing jobs Policies to ensure that businesses thrive and attract foreign investment are

not there

The zero deficit budget has tax burdens for Malawians The losing out of donor support

Constitutionalism

Limited knowledge and internalisation of the Constitution The Constitution has gaps and opportunities for our young democracy Although the Constitution clearly states that the mandate to govern derives

from the people of Malawi, we note that the balance of power is shifting to

one branch of government

Our Constitution lacks a comprehensive mechanism of enforcement Constitutional reviews which have previously been done have not been

concluded

Governance challenges cannot be resolved by the Constitution alone

RECOMMENDATIONS

POLITICAL PARTIES


3/4

Access to justice is a very important Human Right and PAC asks thegovernment to settle its differences with the judiciary immediately aspossible so that the courts can start functioning again.

It is the Constitutional Duty of the government of the day to promote theeconomic welfare of all Malawians. PAC asks Government to settle itsdifferences with UK. The IMF, the World Bank and other donors immediately

so that the economic deterioration is arrested immediately.

It is the responsibility of the President to speak and behave in an exemplarymanner so that Malawians can relate to each other in a harmoniousmanner. PAC asks President Mutharika to stop speaking in a bullyingmanner with insulting language and threats so that Malawians can live inharmony and peace.

Bad laws-

MBC and Freedom of Expression

Media freedom

Inquest on the death of Chasowa

Electoral Commission

PVT

Negative campaign

Clear road map after Constitutional Conference

Nomination fees- reasonable

Condem all attempt to stop this PAC meeting

No face of individual on the currency including the current president1. Economic governance2. Political governance3. Electoral governance

POLITICAL AND LOCAL GOVERNANCE

a. open of courtsb. language of president


4/4

c. bad lawsd. campaign projects

ACADEMIA

The President should be asked to resign or, if he disagrees, call a referendum

because

ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT

Sensible balance between creation and distribution of wealth

market economy

long-term involvement in basic social services and social development

PUBLIC TRUST AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

Measures guaranty

accountability-effectiveness and transparency that strengthensconfidence

transparency

personal integrity

Financial probity

Independence of the legislative arm of the government secured by giving financial

independence to the Legislative. Parliament must be given the right to own and

manage its own budget.

MPs should be able to participate freely in the voting machine and not by show ofhands as it will guarantee secrecy of voting

CSO

Members of civil society would like to put it on record that all is not well and the

situation needs to be reversed forthwith: For this to happen we call for

1. Resignation-within 60 days2. Referendum -90 days3. Civil disobedience- mass action4.

NCC to resume

Reasons for calling resignation:

Arrogance

resume good relations with donors

bad laws

IN CONCLUSION

We call for the resignation of the president or for a referendum within 90 days toseek fresh mandate from the people of Malawi

pac communique-15feb2012

Documents