By Deogratias Mmana:
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have warned government members of Parliament (MPs) against reacting to the impasse in the National Assembly over the Leader of Opposition wrangle Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Addressing journalists in Lilongwe yesterday, the CSOs under the National Advocacy Platform (NAP) said they see the chaos growing if Tonse Alliance MPs react to the DPP fiasco.
“We appeal to the Tonse Alliance to refrain from engaging in retaliatory actions and instead advocate for peace, justice and democracy,” NAP chairperson Benedicto Kondowe said.
“Honourable Members of Parliament must remain mindful of their constitutional duty to wield their legal and political authority in the best interest of Malawians” he added.
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NAP also expressed dissatisfaction over the conduct of Speaker of Parliament Catherine Gotani Hara for locking out over 20 members of DPP for two days since Tuesday.
The CSOs platform called on Hara to exercise integrity “befitting the Office of the Speaker”.
“The Speaker has made some decisions which have raised concern; for example, the barring of some MPs without informing them. She must handle the office with integrity,” Kondowe said.
The CSOs then threatened to hold a vigil at Parliament should the impasse continue.
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“We reject national chaos that undermines the interests of the general public for the sake of political supremacy or expediency,” Kondowe added.
He was flanked by CSO leaders who included executive director of Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation, Michael Kaiyatsa, his Youth and Society counterpart Charles Kajoloweka and others from the Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre.
The leaders also urged the Judiciary to prioritise the swift resolution of the matter.
DPP is embroiled in the Leader of Opposition quagmire following a court order that recognises its fired member Kondwani Nankhumwa who challenged the appointment of another member George Chaponda to the position.
In an apparent attempt to end the chaos, the party dumped Chaponda and appointed Thyolo Thava legislator Mary Navicha to be Leader of Opposition.
Drama ensued on Monday as both Navicha and Nankhumwa stood to respond to President Lazarus Chakwera’s State of the Nation Address.
The Speaker said she recognised Nankhumwa as Leader of Opposition because of a 2022 court order which stopped the party from removing him from the position.
The Speaker also said the DPP followed all the procedures in the appointment of Navicha to the position but she would be recognised as leader of the DPP in the House until the 2022 court order is removed.
