Malawi's Presidential Contact Group: an anonymous professor asks pertinent questions

Dear Readers, I see the transcription of the Peter Mutharika secret tape has attracted a lot of attention, with 1,063 viewings of my blog half a day alone. But you will recall that in his 11 a.m. Sunday 14 August national address, President Bingu wa Mutharika announced the formation of what he calls a Presidential Contact Group to "facilitate the mediation process" between the Civil Society and the Opposition on the one hand and the President on the other. An anonymous Malawian professor has the following valid questions. Here is what he says:

Hey, people, I have some VERY SERIOUS questions. In fact, I am totally confused. Will somebody out there put some sense in me?

Here are some of my questions:

1.      What is this group: Mediators? Negotiators? Steering Committee/Group? Arbitrators? A fact finding Delegation? A Commission of Enquiry? A Public Hearing Committee? An Inquest Group? I do not get it!

2.      Do the terms of reference for this group reflect the issues? Will this group be answering the petition by the CSOs? What will they be addressing?

3.      Where is DIALOGUE in the terms of reference? What will they be dialoguing on?

4.      Should most of these people not be part of civil society? How “presidential” is this group?

5.      Where is the face of government in this group? Can one see GOVERNMENT in it? Or can one see the PRESIDENT’s OFFICE in it?

6.      What methodology will this group be using? And what will be the reporting methodology?

7.      How much mandate does it have to resolve some of the issues “there and then” without reference to the appointing authority?

 

What I would have liked to see

1.      The face of government – Ministers and Principal Secretaries, Executive of key Statutory Corporations concerned with the issues at hand, eg Reserve Bank (for forex), MERA (for fuel), Vice Chancellor of the University of Malawi (for issues to do with the University). In other words the composition should be GOVERNMENT officials and the officials from the sectors or institutions that are supposed to respond to the specific issues in the July 20 petition

2.      No politically controversial or interested individuals in the team – meaning those who have already shown their deep-seated personal interests in the issues at hand

3.      Clear terms of reference related to the specific issues in the July 20 petition.

4.      Clear mandate for the group ie specific issues that can resolve on their own and those they would be required to refer to the appointing authority

5.      Clear statement on methodology to be used by the group in relation to the issues at hand

6.      Clear statement on what this group is

7.      [Possibly] statement on how the outcomes of this process will or is likely to be used, and possibly by who as well.

 

 Terms of Reference

 

*   To act as a platform for contact and dialogue between government and various interest groups in the country including representatives of political parties, non-governmental organizations, women lobby groups, youth representatives, vendors, the business community, the media, the elderly, people with disabilities, and any concerned citizens.
*       To mediate, guide, and propose ways of amicably solving any disputes and suggest how the people of Malawi can be united through mutual agreement, understanding, reconciliation, and tolerance in order to resolve any disputes among the people of Malawi with the view to safeguard the peace, security and stability of Malawi.
*       To prepare and present reports of such contacts together with proposals of other groups on how issues raised by them should be addressed.
*        To make public as appropriate the outcomes, understanding and agreements reached between the government, civil society, political parties and any other concerned citizens
*       To undertake any other such functions as may be assigned to them by the president.
The report further says Malawians are encouraged to use the grouping as the most appropriate channel of communicating with the president.

Members

Chair - retired Anglican Archbishop Bernard Malango.

Deputy chair  – Goodal Gondwe, First Vice President of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party

Rapporteur - DPP Secretary General Wakuda Kamanga

Other members of the committee –

* Paramount Chief Lundu,

*   Sheikh Alhaji Alide Likonde of the Quadria Muslim Association of Malawi,

*   Sheikh Alhaji Ali Kanyamula of the Muslim Association of Malawi

*  Inkosi ya Makosi Mbelwa IV

*   Mrs. Catherine Munthali, president of the Society for the Advancement of Women (SOW),

*  Reverent Bishop Bvumbwe, Chairman of the Malawi Council of Churches and

*   Apostle Dr. Madalitso Mbewe, Founder and President of Calvary Family Church.