PAC news BY THE GRACE OF GOD WE SHALL SUCCEED
2015
Contributing to Good Governance, Human Rights and Constitutionalism ENHANCING SOCIAL COHESION IN MALAWI
NEWSLETTER No. 001. 2015
Contributing to Good Governance, Human Rights, Constitutionalism, and Social Cohesion In Malawi
BY GRACE OF GOD WE SHALL SUCCEED
CONTENTS
PAGE MISSION STATEMENT
‘Mobilise the general public through the religious community and other stakeholders in promoting democracy, development, peace and unity through civic education, mediation and advocacy.’ .....................................................................................
PUBLISHED BY: Public Affairs Committee (PAC)
With support from United Nations Development Program (UNDP - Malawi) Private Bag B348, Lilongwe. Malawi Tel.: +265 (0) 1 772 692 Fax: +265 (0) 1 772 696 E-mail:
[email protected] .....................................................................................
EDITORIAL
Fr. Peter Mulomole Robert Phiri Sophia Nthenda Stella Chikombole
CONTRIBUTOR:
Mthetho Lungu .....................................................................................
DTP
Charles Jostino +265 (0) 888 518 815 / +265 (0) 999 601 975
[email protected]
PAC news BY GRACE OF GOD WE SHALL SUCCEED
2015
NEWSLETTER No. 001. 2015
HIGHLIGHTS OF PAC ACTIVITIES, 2012 - 2015
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PAC ELECTS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, APPOINTS TRUSTEES, 2013
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PAC PROVIDES PLATFORM FOR SHARED AGENDA ON CONTESTED ISSUES
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PAC SANCTIONS MEDIATORS
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MALAWI AT CROSSROADS
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STAKEHOLDERS GIVE INCLUSIVITY AND FEDERALISM A LEASE OF LIFE
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‘19 ISSUES’: PAC HOLDS LEADERS ACCOUNTABLE
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PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANTS SIGN PEACE DECLARATION
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PAC CONDUCTS CIVIC AND VOTER EDUCATION
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PAC TRAINS YOUTHS IN CONFLICT EWR
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CONTINENTAL INTEGRATION AND INTERNATIONAL NETWORKING
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CONDOLENCE
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Contributing to Good Governance, Human Rights and Constitutionalism CONTRIBUTING TO SOCIAL COHESION IN MALAWI
COVER PAGE: All inclusive Stakeholders Conference February 2014
BY GRACE OF GOD WE SHALL SUCCEED
Contributing to Good Governance, Human Rights and Constitutionalism ENHANCING SOCIAL COHESION IN MALAWI
HIGHLIGHTS
OF PAC ACTIVITIES, 2012 - 2015 CONTRIBUTING TO GOOD GOVERNANCE, HUMAN RIGHTS, CONSTITUTIONALISM, AND SOCIAL COHESION IN MALAWI Robert Phiri, PAC Executive Director
Formed in 1992 during the Malawi’s political transition from one party to multiparty system of government, PAC remains a key civil society organization in the field of political governance. It is registered under Trustee Incorporation Act. PAC commands respect and remains the voice of the voiceless. PAC’s vision and mission statements respectively read as follows: “A Malawian society with internalised democratic values and practices” and “A interfaith organisation that promotes human dignity in the Malawian society through advocacy, civic education and conflict transformation. By Grace of God We Shall Succeed”. As one of the institutions accredited and serving in the COMESA CSO Steering Committee of Peace and Security Programme , the organization has not only been involved in the preparations of the 20 July demonstrations but also got involved in the UN led CSO- Presidential Committee Dialogue Group negotiations following the July 2011 demonstrations that led to the handing of the 20 point petition to the leadership of the country. The history of PAC in dialogue processes cannot be over-emphasized. In 1992, it maintained dialogue with Dr Banda’s regime through Presidential committee on Dialogue (PCD) which resulted in multiparty system of government. In 2003, it spearheaded a campaign against open and third term constitutional amendments. In 2007, PAC maintained dialogue with major political parties on S65 and Budget. With its extensive experience in the political processes, the organization has previously hosted COMESA on CSO initiatives, participates in COMESA observation missions, Africa-EU Joint Strategy for Development and AU- ECOSSOC initiatives at international level. Against this background, issues of good governance and peace building occupy the centre stage of PAC’s strategic direction, and any state’s deviation from the expected democratic norms attracts its intervention through advocacy and constructive engagement.
PAC is seen as an influential organization since its formation in 1992. The Drivers of Change and Development, ODI, Report (2006) describes PAC as an exception. It states that“ exception include the churches and faith based organisations with their grassroots’ membership which especially through their umbrella body, the Public Affairs Committee, have played an important role since transition. The PAC has criticised government regularly for bad policies as well as abuses and infractions”(p.16). The churches are the most powerful membership associations in Malawi and the only organisations within civil society that have grassroots support. UNDP(2012) has described PAC as “the most important social institution with capacity to strengthen social cohesion. PAC is therefore a platform for collective religious leadership of the country to meet, discuss and pronounce on important national issues. When they speak and act in unison, they have proved to be a powerful moral voice that politicians could not disregard ”. The Nation Newspaper (2015) describes PAC as “the country’s authoritative interface democracy watchdog and advocacy group”. Therefore its existence is critical for the consolidation of democracy in Malawi. The following are highlights of its major activities 1. INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE AND ITS CAPACITY BUILDING INITITAIVES - Electing new Executive Committee and appointing new Trustees (2013 AGM, Mount Soche Hotel) - Briefing Trustees, Mother Bodies General Secretary and Executive Committee members on their Roles and PAC regulations and internal controls - Bishop Tengatenga resigns and Rev. Felix Chingota takes over
Contributing to Good Governance, Human Rights and Constitutionalism ENHANCING SOCIAL COHESION IN MALAWI
- Strategy Setting workshop on PAC dialogue facilitation and Advocacy supported by UNDP - Establishment of a standing Team of Mediators supported by UNDP. 2. ENHANCING PUBLIC DIALOGUE IN ORDER TO DEVELOP A SHARED MINIMUM AGENDA ON CONTESTED ISSUES (GENERATING ISSUES) - First All-Inclusive Stakeholder Conference (Political & Economic Governance, call for resignation within 60 days), Limbe Cathedral March, 2012 - Second All-Inclusive Stakeholders Conference (Constitutionalism, S65, S64, Permanent Planning Commission establishment etc), Mount Soche, October, 2012 - Post-Conference Strategy meeting on PAC Resolution, 2013: Developing 19 Issues linking them to transformative leadership in Malawi. - Third All-Inclusive Stakeholders Conference (Cashgate-Transparency & Accountability), Mount Soche, February, 2014 - Technical Committee meeting on PAC Resolution (Electoral Systems, S64 & 65, Public Service Reforms), July 2014 - National Stakeholders Forum on Inclusivity and Federalism,( Conflict Prevention & Enhancing Common understanding), November, 2014 - Fourth All-Inclusive Stakeholders Conference (Promoting Awareness on Local Government Act Reforms), January 2015 - Principal Secretary’s Approval Meeting on Local Government Act Proposals - Regional Fora on Inclusivity and Federalism , 15-24 June, 2015
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3. LOBBYING AND ADVOCACY - HOLDING LEADERS ACCOUNTABLE - Development of 19 issues raised with the Presidential Candidates in 2014, followed by interface meetings - Political Party responses on the 19 issues documented by PAC - Follow-up interface meetings with H.E based on agreements - Interface meeting with Speaker - S64 and S65 4. CONFLICT PREVENTION: DIALOGUE FACILITATION, SIGNING OF PEACE DECLARATION AND MEDIATION INITIATIVES - PAC has a pool of mediators in place in readiness of mediation exercise and dialogue - Undertook Shuttle Diplomacy to sell a draft Peace
Accord Document to Presidential Candidate before signing on 10 May 2014 at Civo Stadium, Lilongwe - 2014 Election Stalemate - Six mediators undertook mediation initiatives towards a political settlement - Training Women-In-faith and Youth Volunteers 5. CIVIC /VOTER EDUCATION AND ELECTION MONITORING
- Participates in COMESA International Observation Mission - Involved in AU ECOSOC, AU-EU Joint Development Strategy, Peace & Security, and AU Summits - Involved in Insiders Mediators-Strengthening the Africa Peace and Security Architecture, UN initiative. - Pac serves as a Chapter for Religions for Peace
- Training of volunteers - awareness projects DONOR PARTNERS - Constituency Debates during elections - Election Monitoring 6. CONTINENTAL INTEGRATION AND NETWORKING-COMESA, SADC AND AU
• Tilitonse Fund • UNDP • NCA • Norwegian Embassy • DCA
- Participates in SADC International Observation Mission
HIGHLIGHTS
1st All-Inclussive stakeholders conference. - March 2012
PAC-HE follow up meeting on 19 issues
DPP - PAC Interface meeting
PAC Executive Committee, Trustees and Management
PAC-HE Interface meeting - November 2014
Elders of PAC
PAC Chairperson with Minister of foreign affairs
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Contributing to Good Governance, Human Rights and Constitutionalism ENHANCING SOCIAL COHESION IN MALAWI
All inclusive stakeholder conferences in focus
Contributing to Good Governance, Human Rights and Constitutionalism ENHANCING SOCIAL COHESION IN MALAWI
BY GRACE OF GOD WE SHALL SUCCEED
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All inclusive stakeholder conferences in focus
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BY GRACE OF GOD WE SHALL SUCCEED
Contributing to Good Governance, Human Rights and Constitutionalism ENHANCING SOCIAL COHESION IN MALAWI
REV. CHINGOTA REPLACES BISHOP TENGATENGA REVEREND Dr. Felix Chingota, who was vice chairperson of the Executive Board of the Public Affairs Committee (PAC), December 2013 replaced Bishop James Tengatenga as the committee’s chairperson.
Rev. Chingota will continue to serve the term left until May 2016 when PAC holds another elective Annual General Meeting.
Rev. Chingota was appointed chairperson of the executive board after Bishop Tengatenga of the Anglican Church of Malawi left for the United State of America where he is now working at a university.
New PAC chairperson: Rev. Felix Chingota
PAC is a body that serves the interests of the people on governance, and has been instrumental in changing the political landscape and holding leaders a c c o u n t able.
Bishop James Tengatenga
INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING
CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE PAC ELECTS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, APPOINTS TRUSTEES, 2013
Fr. Peter Mulomole Publicity Secretary
THE SECRETARIAT gained knowledge from Tilitonse Fund capacity building in effective reporting as well as gaining new concepts on development. Theory of change and Political Economy Analysis have helped Managers to appreciate how political decisions are influenced and then in turn affect development. So too, the PAC governance (Trustees and Executive committee) discharged their constitutional mandate of playing an oversight role on the secretariat due to holding of regular meetings and executing decisions for the secretariat to implement.
The AGM held in 2013 unified the organisation by way of giving mandate to the new Board of Governance. Therefore the gap whereby previous Board lacked mandate has been cured to date. As such there has been acceptability of the organisation during mediation in the electoral process an outcome that was never anticipated. In addition, the following have been changes realised as a direct result to supporting internal capacity building which in turn contributed to successful advocacy that has made PAC being recognised in Malawi:
Contributing to Good Governance, Human Rights and Constitutionalism ENHANCING SOCIAL COHESION IN MALAWI
BY GRACE OF GOD WE SHALL SUCCEED
• All institutional audits are in place demonstrating a going concern of the organisation. The UN Microassessment (2015) on internal controls support this position. • Decisions made by the Executive Committee have successfully guided the strategic direction of the organisation thereby attracting new donor partners. • National advocacy, mediation and lobbying activities have been effectively implemented. • PAC has had a unified Board of Governance since the new board was ushered in 2013, as such the image of the organisation has improved. PAC is seen as a strong organisation in enhancing public dialogue, social cohesion and advocacy in Malawi • Following capacity building under Tilitonse Fund UNDP, NCA, DCA, the secretariat has had an appreciation of theory for change and Political economy which help PAC to strategize its lobbying and advocacy activities. • The Tilitonse Templates such as work plans continue to be used in projects supported by other partners. • Permanent planning commission (Development council) is in the process of being established following PAC Advocacy, • Enhanced debate on section 65, section 64, Constitutional Review, Electoral reform. etc
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PAC PROVIDES PLATFORM FOR SHARED AGENDA ON CONTESTED ISSUES PAC has achieved success through advocacy across Malawi
Since 2012, given that there were a number of national issues being debated on governance, the PAC bent to its mandate and moved to serve calls by Malawians on several issues. At the heart of emerging issues to be tackled at the 1st All-Inclusive Conference were tendencies of disregard by the leadership over matters affecting Malawians. Fuel and forex became scarce after the late Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika, Malawi’s leader then, deported British envoy to Malawi, Dyet Cochraine, following a leaked memo in which the diplomat highlighted growing dictatorial tendencies in the leadership. Civil society ganged up to force Mutharika to return to democratic leadership style, but to no avail. As such, the 1st All Inclusive Conference supported by OSISA made calls for Muntharika to resign withinday 60,falling which to call for a referendum in 90 days.
Limbe Cathedral Offices, 2012 The last of the series has been a conference on inclusivity and federalism, which is a strong emerging issue amongst Malawians following the current government’s request on PAC to pursue consultations.
The platform that PAC offered and continues to offer gives Malawians from all sectors of society a voice to demand for good governance, transparency and accountability.
Another stakeholder meeting was organised in October of the same year to review progress in the proposed ‘reforms’. In the third stakeholders meeting, PAC expressed that it would not stiffle the debate should delegates once again, call for the resignation of the sitting president, this time Joyce Banda, following revelations of massive fiscal abuse where millions of taxpaeyers money was stolen by officials conniving with the private sectors.
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Limbe Cathedral Conference,2012 BY GRACE OF GOD WE SHALL SUCCEED
Contributing to Good Governance, Human Rights and Constitutionalism ENHANCING SOCIAL COHESION IN MALAWI
DIALOGUE FACILITATION
PAC SANCTIONS MEDIATORS IN ORDER to handle potentially violent disputes, the Public Affairs Committee between 6th and 8th May 2014 held a training workshop on mediation and dialogue facilitation. The indepth training lasted three ays and was participated by fourteen PAC
Second from Left: Archbishop Thomas Msusa, Chair of medition Team, 2014, Electoral Stalemate
leaders, who were exposed to skills that aim to building capacities in inside mediators. Identified by the UNDP and PAC, the team will help resolve issues through mediation to enable consensus on key national priorities to be reached through skills in facilitation and advocacy.
Contributing to Good Governance, Human Rights and Constitutionalism ENHANCING SOCIAL COHESION IN MALAWI
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Major beneficiaries include presidential candidates, political parties, faith leaders, oversight institutions and an incumbent State President.
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MALAWI AT CROSSROADS
PRAYERS FOR SIGNING OF LILONGWE PEACE DECLARATION (LPD) THE PUBLIC Affairs Committee was at the centre of ensuring a serene transformation from Malawi’s third multiparty regime to the fourth, up for elections in May of 2014. PAC’s interventions led to the twelve presidential contestants signing the PAC initiated Lilongwe Peace Declaration (LPD), noting that the elections, which for the first time would include those for Councillors adding to the Presidential and Parliamentary, would be hotly contested and that ground was already futile with sporadic violence and tensions in some places. During a meeting of PAC - Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) meeting just a month before the tripartite elections. PAC chairperson Rev. Felix Chingota said all eyes were focusing on MEC operations. “We would like to appreciate some positive strides you have made in the pursuit of your duties. PAC would like to engage with you on various aspects of the electoral process,” he said. Several scenarios were highlighted, the first that the electoral process will be free, credible and fair, and therefore election results would be accepted, which would require less PAC intervention. The second assumed that the elections would not be entirely free and fair to the extent that result would be rejected. This, he said, would require PAC mediators to encourage parties to go to court to challenge the results and respect the rule of law. The third scenario was that parties and perhaps the public in general may reject
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the outcome of the elections depending on who truimphs on the day. “This may go beyond court intrevntions, and perhaps demand a political settlement or mechanism even though the Republican Constitution does not recognise it. Planning for this scenario was crucial as far as PAC was concerned.” PAC therefore with the support from UNDP and the Norwegian Embassy organised training of PAC volunteers in monitoring potential risks; engaged both senior and local clergy in monitoring violent incidents; and at national level organised a Presidential Interface meetings on Peace Agreement for the twelve candidates to join the confilct management process; trained ten mediators
in indepth mediation skills around specific disputes. PAC also built capacity of women to ably cascade and scale up the initiative to promote peace building groups under the women in Faith Peace Initiative. Through its structures, PAC also engaged its existent structures as platforms after the Interfaith Advocacy Conference on Peace designed to enhance a common understanding on voilence management, prior, during and after vote casting. Finally PAC held National Prayers on Peace/Peace Signing Agreement on 10th May 2014. These intervetions helped to steer Malawi from an otherwise volatile situation.
PAC chairperson Rev. Chingota and MEC chairperson Chief Justice Maxon Mbendera
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Contributing to Good Governance, Human Rights and Constitutionalism ENHANCING SOCIAL COHESION IN MALAWI
Congoma, Law Society of Malawi, Judiciary, traditional authorities, Civil Society, NGOGCN, Parliament, and the Executive Branch to participate in the deliberations. The meeting sought to promote common understanding on federalism among various stakeholders and those who influence the public by their media comments on regular basis; locate the debate on federalism on agreed roadmap thereby preventing violent conflict in Malawi; and provide comparative experiences on federalism so that participants gain a broader understanding on the matter.
TIGHT ROPE
STAKEHOLDERS GIVE INCLUSIVITY AND FEDERALISM A LEASE OF LIFE MALAWI saw a growing expression of public opinion and interest in the second half of 2014 around the value of devolution of power , and various models thereof, including federalism. All the reasons that would normally be offered for such expression better access to resources and services, more effective local governance, and the expression of identity have been put forward. An empirical analysis of popular needs and demands in this regard has not yet been conducted As part of its work on shuttle diplomacy, the Public Affairs Committee (PAC) also received formal submissions on the issues of inclusivity and federalism from representatives of some political parties. Furthermore, the Minister of Information made a public statement encouraging discussion and debate on these issues and asked the PAC and the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) to facilitate the conversation and debate. PAC convened a national stakeholder’s conference on ‘Inclusivity and Federalism in Malawi’ from 24-25 November, 2014 at
Mount Soche Hotel, Blantyre with an overall goal to promote a common understanding on inclusivity and federalism thereby reducing the potential for violent conflict. The theme was “Enhancing a common understanding on inclusivity and Federalism in Malawi” and the rationale was not to determine whether Malawi should go federal or not but to provide an opportunity where the articulated objectives could be met, in particular to come up with conclusions by way of a roadmap on finding common ground. Existing gaps showed stakeholders did not have a common understanding regarding federalism therefore it could remain a divisive tool; the general public had a feeling that federalism was tantamount to splitting the country, the activity serving as a conflict prevention tool. Three presentations were made: The History of Devolution in Malawi ; Comparative Experiences on Federalism; and Decentralization, State of Affairs in Malawi. The event attracted representation from academia, faith community, political parties, Malawi Congress of Trade Union,
Contributing to Good Governance, Human Rights and Constitutionalism ENHANCING SOCIAL COHESION IN MALAWI
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The forum was of the view that the First Past the Post system promotes winner-takes it-all politics and leads to political exclusion. As such demands for federalism may have been necessitated by weaknesses in the electoral systems. Getting rid of the First Past-the-Post electoral system was seen as one of the mechanisms of dealing with postelectoral tensions in Malawi. Participants underscored the need for further review and implement recommendations contained in the 2007 Constitutional Review Report. In this regard , participants further advocated for electoral reforms including the requirement for a winning presidential candidate to attain at least 50% of the total votes plus one more vote i.e. the 50%+1 absolute majority in a double ballot electoral process. Secondly, Malawi still faces challenges of social discrimination in most social spheres based on religion, gender and disability, etc. This has resulted into weak policy formulation and implementation coupled with weak social cohesion in the society, requiring the implementation of relevant formulae for inclusivity in Malawi as the current systems fail to promote inclusivity. Additionally, doubling as Members of Parliament and Cabinet Ministers does not yield positive results in Malawi’s political scene. The conduct erodes the doctrine of separation of powers which seeks to promote transparency and accountability. Other issues discussed for closer look include Big Man syndrome in political parties, Regionalism, ethnicity and sectionalism, Discontinuity of development projects across political regimes, and Unequal distribution of resources and development across regions. PAC also held regional consultation conference in Northern, Central and Southern regions on federalism in the month of june 2014.
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Lobbying and Advocacy ‘19 ISSUES’: PAC HOLDS LEADERS ACCOUNTABLE CRITICAL ISSUES emanating from the PAC conferences of March and October 2012 drawn from views of participants from all major political parties were put together, and indicated that despite attaining fifty years of independence, not much has been achieved around the fields of democratic governance, economic sitution and political developments. The specific 19 Issues surrounding policy implementation will assist a follow-up
process on traditional issues that have dominated debate at various levels of society. The issues were designed to be dealt with after the 20 May 2014 tripartite elections. They include: economic governance where there is typical lack of implementation of policies; (Permanent Planning Commission - Development Council) deficiencies in the implemnetation of Section 65 (crossing the floor) and debate on reintroduction of Section 64 (recall provision); deep-rooted corruption and
fraud in all sectors; independemce of media institutions in particular MBC and MACRA; inadequate separation of powers; timeframe for appointment of running mates which still remains a challenge; treatment of the office of the Vice President; constitutional review report of 2007 which is yet to be implemneted; size of cabinet which is always big; Local Government Act which falls short of facilitatting full decentralisation; cases of demestic To page 11
DPP RESPONDS TO
‘19 ISSUES’
President Mutharika assuring PAC leadership, Rev. Felix Chongota (2nd from left) and team THE PAC leadership led by chairperson Rev. Felix Chingota, met with newly elected president Arthur Peter Mutharika where the body reminded the new leadership of the 19 Issues raised before the elections.
“PAC has a strong structre to influence policies and laws at the moment and we are well equipped to do advocacy work in most difficult times as has always been,” said Rev. Chingota.
Responding to the matter, the Democratoc Progressive Party (DPP) of Mutharika reaffirmed its stance on Section 65 which needed review and to include a clear definition of crosing the floor while maintaining powers of the Speaker to determine because court injunctions have previously prevented implementation of the provision.
Mutharika on his part said the DPP would not allow movement of politicins between parties and would allow Section 65 to take its lawful direction.
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The party also pledged there would be no appeasement on cabinet formation which PAC argued had a bearing on public expenditure. DPP promoised to reduce cabinet size to 20 including deputy ministers, BY GRACE OF GOD WE SHALL SUCCEED
although PAC was of the view 16 was a better and manageable number. Declaration of Assets was another issue discussed, and Mutharika promised this would be done before three months of his leadership, as mandated in the Decaration of Assets Act. The DPP also said a fresh review of the Constitution was important, which includes a check on independence of the Judiciary around political issues. PAC emphasizes transformational leadership and continued engagement with the ruling DPP to ensure the 19 issues are resolved.
Contributing to Good Governance, Human Rights and Constitutionalism ENHANCING SOCIAL COHESION IN MALAWI
SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT MSOWOYA COMMIT TO SECTION 65
From page 10
‘19 ISSUES’: PAC HOLDS LEADERS ACCOUNTABLE violence (GBV) which are on the increase; youth programs who lack opportunity to transformative leadership achievents; gaps in the NGO Act; Labour Tenancy Bill shelved for over 15 years; gaps in Electoral System; dispute of electoral results; Declaration of Assets; Environment, Mining Industry, Oil in Lake Mlawi; so that poor Malaian can benefit; and Health, HIV and AIDS and drugs.
Speaker of parliament Msowoya, commit to section 65 SPEAKER of the National Assembly, Hon. Richard Msowoya (left) told the Public Affairs Committee (PAC) that he would defend Section 65 to protect the country’s Constitution.
explained PAC executive director Robert Phiri, who said PAC believed as it stands the Speaker has powers to make the section and expel members of Parliament who cross the floor.
Msowoya said he was committed to ensuring that the Section lived up to its expectation.
Former Speaker, Hon. Henry Chimunthu -Banda (right) was drafted into the meeting to share on the handling of issues sorrounding the Section and how far they had gone.
“As PAC we have always advocated for legal reforms, both constitutional and electoral,”
PAC
All the 19 issues were agreed upon for action by the stakeholders that included politicians, lawyers, civil society members, and other important players. Economic governance was given six months after the new government is sworn-in; deep-rooted corruption demanded that there be adequate funds; vice presidency lacks a job description; all leaders said were ready to declare their assets if elected; and stakeholders pleaded with PAC to help the electoral process to be committed to peace. PAC believes if the issues are dealt with decisively, Malawi would soon deal with political culture and behaviour thereby begin a journey to creating transformative leadership. The exercise, titled ‘Restoring Democratic and Economic Governance: Issues for Enhancing Transformative Leadership in Malawi’, was supported by the Tilitonse Fund.
IN ‘SHUTTLE DIPLOMACY’
Convinced that there was need for indepth advocacy work, specifically to ensure a peaceful tripartite election in 2014, PAC engaged in what it termed ‘Shuttle Diplomacy’ prior to the elections, where it met all presidential candidates to to repare them for the signing of the Peace Agreement and also collect input into the draft Lilongwe Peace Declaration (LPD) which they duly signed after attending national prayers, supported by the UNDP.
Mutharika, UDF’s Atupele Muluzi, ruling PP’s Joyce Banda and extended its shuttle diplomacy to all the other presidential aspirants. PAC wanted the candidates to join the process, pursuading them to join the conflict managegement process. Four PAC officials engaged the twelve candidates Principally, PAC met with MCP’s Rev. Dr. Lazarous Chakwera, DPP’s Prof. Arthur Peter between 22nd and 25th March.
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2014 GENERAL ELECTIONS Presidential aspirants sign Peace Declaration
The Public Affairs Committee (PAC), led in the first of its kind event where all presidential aspirants signed to commit to a peaceful process towards the May 2014 Tripartite Elections. Called the Lilongwe Peace Declaration (LPD) under the theme “Taking a Stand against Violence in Malawi during and after Elections”, all the participants representative of political parties met at the Civo Stadium in the capital city, Lilongwe, where they put pen to paper to signify their commitment to a peaceful electoral process. In the race line were incumbent president Joyce Banda of the Peoples’ Party (PP), Rev. Dr. Lazarous Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika, and Atupele Muluzi of the United Democratic Front (UDF). Other contenders included Chipani Cha Pfuko (CCP) of Davies Katsonga, Malawi Forum for Unity and Development / Tisintha Alliance (MAFUNDE) of George Mnesa, National Salvation Front (NASAF) of James Nyondo, New Labour Party (NPL) of Friday Jumbe, Peoples Progressive Movement (PPM) of Mark Katsonga, Peoples Transformative Party (PETRA) of Kamuzu Chibambo, Umodzi Party (UP) of Prof. John Chisi, and United Independent Party (UIP) of Rev. Helen Singh. The exercise which drew party supporters, donor and development partners, private sector gurus, civil society organisations, faith-based organisations, and ordinary citizens among many others, took place under PAC’s Democratic and Economic Governance mandate. The twelve pledged to take a definitive stand against the possibility of the electoral violence, impuntiy and injustice in our beloved Malawi because the acts are detrimental to peace, welfare and sustained development of the people of Malawi; and that electoral violence, impunity and injustices are challenges which can be effectively addressed through our colective leadership efforts, among many others. The candidates, pending their signatures, therefore said: “We commit ourselves to leading a national process of reducing their occurence in the short term, and aiming to systematically eradicate them in the medium to long term.” Copies of the signed document are available at the PAC Secretariat.
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Contributing to Good Governance, Human Rights and Constitutionalism ENHANCING SOCIAL COHESION IN MALAWI
CIVIC / VOTER EDUCATION
2014 ELECTIONS: PAC CONDUCTS CIVIC AND VOTER EDUCATION
A group of mobile monitors fielded by PAC during the 2014 tripartite elections PAC funded by the Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) implemented the Faith Based Consortium project on the 2014 Tripartite Elections from October 2013 - June 2014. The project designed to contribute towards peaceful, free, fair and credible tripartite elections, was implemented at two levels with advocacy at national level and civic and voter education at local level wich took place in four districts of Machinga, Zomba, Balaka and Mangochi targeting all the constituencies. These were in the form of meetings, rallies, debates and workshops at district, constituency or community level. For instance, rallies were organised at a central point in a constituency while community level civic education meetings were done at village level. Constituency and community level activities during 2014 tripartite elections were done in form of dramas, songs, talk, questions and answer sessions, and traditional dances. Key messages included the importance of non-violent, tolerant and peaceful electoral related conflict resolution specifically targeting political party youth wings
during campaign period; unacceptability of hand outs with an aim of supporting a particular candidate; voting procedures for the 2014 elections; acceptance of results where elections were free, fair and credible specifically targeting aspirants and their supporters; and grievance procedures that were to be followed upon announcement of results targeting both candidates and their supporters. In addition to the constituency and community activities, political debates were organised in four constituencies in the districts targeting parliamentary candidates and local government candidates. These discussed selected issues that were generated in one of the activities in 2013 and these were the issues that were impinging on peoples lives in the districts, i.e. issues of corruption in government sectors, poverty/ unemployment, political intolerance, transparency and accountability in the administration of Local Development Fund (LDF) and Constituency Development Fund (CDF), deforestation, early marriages versus school drop outs.
volunteer structure monitored the electoral process voluntarily from campaign up to announcement of results. Some volunteers were assigned to different communities and polling centres while others were roving monitors. In total 450 volunteers monitored the election process in the four districts. The results of this intrevention included low null and void votes in the four districts compared to 2009 elections; improved collaboration of PAC volunteers, local governance structure and other election stakeholders through implementation of election activities; improved visibility of PAC in the districts especially Mangochi Masongola debate where almost 90 % of candidates participated; improved capacity and coordination by PAC volunteer structure in implementing civic and voter education activities; and after elections, there is continued engagement with communities in the districts through PAC volunteer structures on different issues.
It should also be noted that the PAC
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CIVIC / VOTER EDUCATION
PAC TRAINS
YOUTHS IN
CONFLICT
EWR
Under a project on social cohesion funded by the UNDP, PAC identified 90 youth volunteers from its volunteer structure countrywide and trained them in conflict early warning and response (EWR). The youths were specially targeted because of their involvement in conflict as they are often used by the elderly and politicians for their personal gains. After the training, they were assigned to different areas to monitor violence and report to PAC secretariat and also to the Multi Party Liaison Committees (MPLC) which are tools used to resolve electoral related conflicts in districts. PAC discovered despite Malawi being a God-fearing nation, conflicts that occur in our backyards as believers, are deeply rooted
A youth training on Early Warning and Resolution in progress in our culture, politics and religion. Though conflicts are a reality of social life and exist at all levels of society and that they offer a unique opportunity for adjustment and constructive change, there are intolerant attitudes and behaviours that pose a major challenge to the on-going peace building efforts by various stakeholders.
Conflict Management and Transformation which targeted 130 youth volunteers aimed at increasing their knowledge and skills in the prevention and handling of conflicts. Some of the youth were already engaged in preventing and mitigating conflicts, thereby building trust from the community to the national level
The cultural and religious factors seem to proceed over other causes and they mostly come in form of prejudices that promote and consolidate negative perceptions of the other groups. Prejudices mostly due to cultural, religious, political and regional affiliations of the people greatly contribute to unnecessary tension or conflict situations in the said domains.
In 2016, PAC plans to promote social cohesion and peaceful co-existence at local level in Malawi and will scale up activities implemented in 2014 especially on identification, prevention and handling of conflicts. They will also be trained in how to design strategies for transforming conflicts in their communities and also how to document different conflicts managed and resolved by PAC volunteers and key religious leaders as lessons learnt.
Such findings informed the next training on
PAC HOLDS WOMEN IN FAITH PEACE INITATIVE
Considering that women seem to lack the capacity to engage in public dialogue and resultantly have lost self esteem to fully and effectively participate in handling matters that affect them, PAC engaged women in capacity building training. The PAC women members were therefore empowered to cascade and scale up the inititative towards promotion of peace buidling groups in their own religions. The 29 women were exposed to mediation skills from 1st and 2nd May 2014 against a target of 30.
PAC women members horning mediation skills
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UNDP supported the initiative under the Social Cohesion Project covering the period April to May 2014.
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CONTINENTAL INTEGRATION AND INTERNATIONAL NETWORKING AFRICAN UNION (AU), SOUTHERN AFRICA DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION (SADC) AND COMMON MARKET FOR EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA (COMESA) PAC recognizes the importance of continental integration being spearheaded by AU and its regional communities such as SADC and COMESA. Since 2006 PAC has been involved in the development of ECOSOCC rules of procedures and CSO Peace and Security initiatives in the AU. The organization has been engaged in several AU Summit Preparatory meetings including observing Permanent Representative Committee, Executive Council and Summit sessions.
FAR RIGHT: PAC Executive Director , chairing ECOSOCC meeting in abuja Nigeria
At regional level, PAC has been serving in CSO Peace and Security Steering Committee of COMESA. Based on this experience, the organization has been participating in Joint Africa-EU Development Strategy since 2007 under the auspices of AU. In terms of democratic governance activities, PAC has traditionally been part of COMESA and SADC International Observation Missions in various countries. This has further built capacity at secretariat in the field of international election observations.
RELIGIONS FOR PEACE (RFP) PAC is a chapter for Religions for Peace and member of Africa Council for Religious Leaders-RfP platform in Africa. ACRL-RfP’s Vision is Sustainable peace and Justice in Africa. It mobilizes religious leaders and their communities to build peaceful, just, hopeful and harmonious societies in Africa. ACRL-RfP has a youth desk called Africa Interfaith Youth Network (AIYN) in which PAC participates since its formation. In October, 2015 Religions for Peace (RfP) came up with a competition on
PAC Programme officer in Bangkok, Thailand for WCC Meeting Innovative Approach to Multi-religious Collaboration for AIYN members. The competition had three prizes, each consisting of up to US$5,000. The RfP Interfaith Youth Prize for Innovative Approach were to be awarded to the most creative and sustainable projects
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that would encourage dialogue and strengthen collaboration among young people of diverse religious traditions to take concrete actions in three issue areas: Violent Religious Extremism, Refugee Crisis and Climate Change . PAC participated and proposed a project on Climate Change
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called “Environmentally Conscious Religious Young People in Lower Shire Valley In Malawi”. The project was among the three that won the prizes.
WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES (WCC). In 2015, PAC with WCC entered into collaboration on the question of religion, gender and power from an intersectional perspective. The networking initiative will explore how religion, gender and power intersect and interact with other factors such as social, economic, psychological and political to produce gender inequalities and injustices at various levels.
TRAINING FOR TRANSFORMATION, GRAIL CENTRE, KLEINMOND, CAPETOWN. As part of capacity building initiatives , PAC has been networking with Grail Centre on a project of training for transformation. Two officer, Mrs Sophia Nthenda and Ms Stella Chikombole, pursued a diploma course in Community Development at Grail Centre, Kleinmond, Capetown in 2007 - 2008. Since then the centre has been engaging PAC in facilitating the diploma courses Grail centre.
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CONDOLENCE
LATE GEORGE DAMBULA The Public Affairs Committee (PAC) lost one of its key members of staff, Mr. George Sly Dambula, who passed on on 2nd February 2012 at the Partners in Hope Hospital in the capital city, Lilongwe. Late Dambula, who joined PAC in 1997 as Civic education officer on communications, rose to the position of Head of programmes, which he held until the time of his death. Trained as a journalist and having worked with media houses including the Malawi News Agency (Mana) and several newspapers before he joined PAC, late Dambula was instrumental in the development of various literature around human rights and governance. Late Dambula was also a chairperson of the Lilongwe Press Club (LPC), which was succeeded by the incumbent Bwaila Media Club (BMC). With a consultancy team, he led the development and publication of the three PAC published Gwira Mpini Kwacha book series around 2003 with James L. Cairns Civic Education to Build Local Democracy that helped train Malawians in Local Governance, Constitutionalism, and also Human Rights. He was also behind the introduction and publication of the PAC NEWS, a newsletter highlighting PAC activities and also spearheaded the review and publication
processes of the Revised Malawian Constitution, including an illustrated mini version. His work included translated constitution and trainers manuals, published in English, Chichewa and Tumbuka languages to bridge then language and therefore communication gap amongst most of the semi-illiretare Malawian constituency. Abroad, late Dambula was an inspiration that worked with foreign experts in programming and other administrative issues, including USAID and German supported programs. He was also instrumental in the early days of PAC in creating a vibrant mediafriendly institution, which has helped PAC find a strengthened footing in its advocacy work. Late Dambula, who also trained as a lawyer at the Chancellor College, designed several strategic programs for PAC, and helped to train thousands of PAC volunteers including trainers of trainers in various PAC programming disciplines. Late Dambula died of a short illness aged 44 and was buried at Kawale Cemetery in Lilongwe. He is survived by a wife and two children.
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Accelerated Gender Equality And Women Empowerment (Agewe) Project
Public Affairs Committee as a Member of NGOGCN under the Gender Based Violence Committee (GBVC) has been implementing its activities in Salima district, T/A Khombedza. It targets 12 Group Village Heads (GVHs) and aims at promoting the fight against gender based violence for the grassroots service providers who are the GVHs, religious representatives, the PAC district chairperson and PAC trainers of trainers (TOTs).
Training in GBV, Human Rights and Psychosocial Support (HRPSS) and reporting and support services to survivors of GBV have been at the heart of the program.
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PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE (PAC) With support from United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
Private Bag B348, Lilongwe. Malawi Tel.: +265 (0) 1 772 692 • Fax: +265 (0) 1 772 696 E-mail:
[email protected] 18
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