Government rubbishes federalism talk
By Cathy Maulidi:
Justice Minister Titus Mvalo has described as unnecessary the proposal to adopt a federal system of government.
Mvalo said this in Parliament while responding to a question on matters of national interest.
Mzimba North legislator Yeremiah Chihana brought a question related to federation to the august House Thursday.
Chihana told Parliament that the country could develop quickly if the federal system of government were adopted.
“Malawi should adopt a federal system of government. I’m requesting the Minister of Justice to give an update on progress made to adopt the system. Mozambique, South Africa, Nigeria, Switzerland and even America are using this system.
“The current system has failed us, as public service providers are failing to deliver tangible services to Malawians. Accept federal system of government because Malawians are waiting for the decision to be made now. They cannot wait any longer,” Chihana said.
Rumphi East Member of Parliament Kamlepo Kalua concurred with Chihana.
However, Mvalo described the question on federal system as unnecessary.
“For government, we see it [the question] as unnecessary because we have other more important matters of national interest. A good example is the issue to do with the supply of maize. That is a matter of national interest since it’s a basic need [and] not [that of] federalism.
“We are here representing the man and woman in the village. Are they really thinking of changing the system of government? I don’t think so,” Mvalo said.
According to Mvalo, the country is better off being a unified state.
He said federal system of government would only lead to unnecessary conflicts.
The federal system of government motion was previously defeated in the same House, when it was brought by Kalua in 2018.
He only got support from the Malawi Congress Party when the party was on the opposition side.
In 2019, the motion resurfaced in the House; that time, it was brought by Mzimba North lawmaker Chihana.
The issue was referred to the Legal Affairs Committee of Parliament for further scrutiny.
