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Dowa Children’s Parliament urges govt to prioritize their rights

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By Kondwani Kandiyado

Children’s parliament that sat in Mponela- Dowa from Sunday to Monday this week has appealed to the government and other stakeholders to help end children’s rights violations.

Some of the concerns raised during the two day session include effects of climate change on children, inadequate drugs in hospitals, sexual harassment, lack of teaching and learning materials in schools, increased child marriages, increased child labour and poor quality education in the district.



The children said the issues raised were impinging on their rights and there was a need to reverse the trend.

One of the parliamentarians from Dzaleka Refugee camp Merveille Katulanya who was also the speaker said it was high time authorities intervened on issues raised to help create a conducive environment for children in the district.

She said children’s parliament was important as it gave them a platform to articulate issues affecting children.

Another parliamentary, 10- year old Diana Mwaya from When the Saints Girls Academy observed that education standards are going down such that there is need for authorities to pump more resources such as books and good classroom blocks.

Speaking in an interview on Monday, the District Commissioner for Dowa, Stallich Mwambiwa said government will create an enabling environment for enjoyment of children’s rights in the district.

“We know issues of child abuse are rampant in the district, and as a district we have intensified construction of police units in the district to help reverse the trend,” said Mwambiwa.

Plan Malawi Projects Manager Lawrence Maulidi said the organisation will continue remaining a link by helping take issues from children to government and vice versa.

“We want to see children having the confidence to report issues affecting them to relevant authorities for action,” he said.

The sitting of Children’s parliament in Dowa was funded by Plan International, World Vision International, United Nations Higher Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)and When the Saints among others.

Lilongwe City Council, MDF holds a solidarity march

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By Wilfred Golden

In a quest to strengthen the working relationship, Malawi Defense Force (MDF) in conjunction with Lilongwe city council held a freedom march in Lilongwe.

Speaking during the event the mayor of the city Richard Banda, says this was organized as one way of addressing security lapses in the city as they are coordinating with MDF to protect citizens in the city.

“This march will help to bring sanity in the city as you know that in most of our cities we have got challenges pertaining to security even as well as sanitation, so with us coordinating with MDF we are very sure that things will be improved in our city.



“In this case we have given the military a way to do while they are working in the city, they also have a freedom on how they can make some enforcement pertaining to other areas which needs security in our city, we also edge them to take control of unnecessary vandalism as well as congestions in the city as some of them are well trained traffic police designated to do that work,” Banda highlighted.

On his part Second Lieutenant Mphatso Gudu, said, as a security agency they are optimistic that such efforts will help to complement government efforts achieving development targets.

“From this march we wanted to showcase the force which the mayor has while working with us, and the other thing we wanted to achieve was the issue of working relationship between us and the general public as we discovered tha there is a huge gap, and we hope with the assistance from the mayor we are going to achieve that,” he said.

City freedom march was conducted some years back in the Kamuzu era and it has been almost 20 years since it was abandoned.

The march started at town hall via crossroads hotel then gateway mall up to civic offices in the city of Lilongwe.

Remember to fulfill your campaign promises-Dedza Central newly elected MP Willard Gwengwe advised

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By Chisomo Phiri

Chief Justice Rizine Mzikamanda has advised the newly-elected Dedza Central Malawi Congress Party (MCP) lawmaker, Willard Gwengwe to strive to fulfill campaign promises he made to his constituents prior to the November 16 2023 by-elections.

Mzikamanda made the call after presiding over Gwengwe’s swearing in ceremony at Parliament on Monday morning.

“The public has entrusted you to advocate for their interest, voice their concerns and contribute to laws that govern their lives.

Willard Gwengwe sworn in

“Therefore, as you sit in this chamber, remember that you represent your electors and you owe them not only your time but also your dedication and impartial judgement on critical issues” he advised.

Mzikamanda further advised the Member that the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office which he had taken signifies the mutual trust citizens place in public offices and institutions.

He however, cautioned the Member that the symbolic covenant must extend beyond mere symbolism to a moral commitment linking his inner values with the values and duties he undertakes as a public servant.

The Chief justice further recognized the dedication and hard work demonstrated by all Members of Parliament in serving the people which he urged Hon Gwengwe to join following his swearing in.

Gwengwe secured a total of 7,913 votes against his fierce competitor, an independent candidate Jacob Joseph Kaumphawi who got 7,361.

Serious voter apathy marred the by-elections as over 15 thousand people voted out of the registered 47 thousand.

The constituency had fallen vacant following the death of another MCP lawmaker, Daniel Chiwere in July this year.

Minister Usi says COP28 trip to United Arab Emirates not funded by Govt

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By Chisomo Phiri

Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change, Michael Usi says government has not sponsored any accredited government officials to the United Nations Conference of Parties (COP 28) scheduled for Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, from November 30 to December 12, 2023.

Briefing the media in Lilongwe on Monday, Usi said a total of 153 Malawian delegates including government officials, the civil society, the academia and youth representatives are going to attend the meeting under sponsorship from various United Nations agencies, development partners, and the private sector.

Michael Usi



“The President was supposed to attend the conference but he has delegated me, this is an indication that we are heeding to the austerity measures put in place by the President.

“In addition, all officials at the conference are going to account for their trip,” he said.

Usi indicated that the COP28 is a pivotal platform for Malawi to engage with world leaders on how to address pressing challenges posed by climate change.

He said :”Our presence at this summit is not merely symbolic, it is also an opportunity for Malawi to actively contribute to the global discourse on climate action.”

He further said Malawi acknowledges the global nature of climate change, hence the need for collective and inclusive response to issues of climate change.

The Minister added that Malawi will therefore, play a part to contribute towards formulation of policies and work towards consensus building to ensure that the outcomes of COP28 reflect the shared responsibility of all nations.

“Our delegation will engage in constructive dialogues, share our experiences and seek collaboration with other nations to enhance our adaptive capacities,” Usi said.

COP28 is a gathering of representatives from different countries who agree to take actions of tackling the climate crisis and Malawi is a party to that.

Malawi’s priority areas of discussion at the conference include climate finance, loss and damage, building adaptation and resilience, agriculture, food security and nutrition, among others.

FAM rebuffs Nyamilandu’s appeal to have his competitor in FAM presidential elections disqualified

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By Chisomo Phiri

The Electoral Committee managing Football Association of Malawi (FAM) December elections has rebuffed an appeal from incumbent President Walter Nyamilandu to disqualify his competitor Fleetwood Haiya from the race citing eligibility issues.

Nyamilandu through his lawyers, Makiyi, Kanyenda and Associates appealed against Haiya’s candidature saying he is not eligible to contest as President because he has not resigned from his positions as Super League of Malawi (SULOM) President and as one of the directors for FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Football Club, which is against the eligibility criteria as per FAM statutes.



Argued Nyamilandu in his appeal:”Accordingly, Mr Fleetwood Haiya, by operation of lawi s automatically ineligible and disqualified to participate as a candidate for the post of FAM President or to participate as a candidate for any other post in the elections for FAM executive committee.”

But the Electoral Committee which is being headed by private practice lawyer, James Masumbu, dismissed the case for late submission.

The response in our possession,says the appeal should have been filed no later than 21 November, 2023, but Nyamilandu submitted it on 24 November, 2023.

Recently, FAM electoral body through Masumbu approved all the candidates nominated by affiliates for various positions in the polls.

“After the screening process, the electoral committee approved names of the nominated candidates for the 2023 FAM executive committee elections,” said Masumbu.

Nyamilandu, who has been at the helm of FAM for the past 19 years, said he would be seeking re-election for the last time.

The elections will be held on December 16, 2023 in Mzuzu.