The Second Deputy Director of International Affairs for the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Hon. Chalo Mvula, is currently in Brussels, Belgium, representing the party at the International Democratic Union (IDU) Forum.
This gathering brings together over 80 centre-right political parties to strengthen democratic values and share strategies for political success.
Hon. Mvula emphasized that the MCP is committed to advancing democratic principles through global partnerships. He noted that President Lazarus Chakwera’s leadership is earning international praise, with the global community commending his governance.
The high-profile event features distinguished leaders, including former Canadian PM Stephen Harper, ex-UK PMs Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, former Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, and former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo. The forum serves as a platform for exchanging best practices and reinforcing collective political resolve.
Mvula with Former President of Croatia Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic
At the opening ceremony of the event on Tuesday , Former Canada Prime Minister who so also the current Chairman of IDU welcomed all the representatives of the polities parties and urged them to have a meaningful discussion and sharing of ideas that will strengthen the centre right parties globally
League leaders FCB Nyasa Big Bullets extended their lead at the top of the TNM Super League log table, registering their first ever win at Dedza Stadium against Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos as they beat them 1-0 on Kamuzu Day.
Chikumbutso Salima scored the only goal of the match just a minute before the end of the regulation time after receiving an assist from Babatunde Adepoju.
The People’s team had their first opportunity of the match, 9 minutes from kick-off, when Salima found Wongani Lungu in the box but his shot went over the cross bar.
Lungu had another chance to put the visitors in front through a free kick just a few centimetres from the penalty box but again the midfielder failed to utilise the opportunity.
Babatunde Adepoju who replaced Maxwell Phodo, almost made it 1-nil in the 38th minute but his header from a Chawanangwa Gumbo’s cross went slightly over the cross bar.
Three minutes before half time, Frank Sanudi managed to beat Bullets goalkeeper Richard Chimbamba but his effort was denied by the upright.
In the second half, Dedza made two substitutions, introducing Tayan Phiri and Yasin Chida for Peter Ademoje and Friday Osaji.
The visitors on the other hand, introduced Hassan Kajoke for Wongani Lungu and later Ephraim Kondowe and Ernest Petro were introduced for Hassan Kajoke and Andrew Jovinala. Dedza also substituted Frank Sanudi for Dan Mponya.
Despite the changes, both sides failed to create enough scoring opportunities except for a few from Dedza’s Gift Magola and Bullets’ Babatunde Adepoju whose goal in the 66th minute was ruled out for an offside.
After Bullets’ goal in the 89th minute Dedza’s Ochaya Okoti received a red card a minute later, following a second yellow card after receiving another card in the 67th minute.
After the match, Chikumbutso Salima was voted as man of the match.
Bullets have now accumulated 12 points after winning all their four games so far this season while Dedza remain on position 7 with 6 points from five games.
There will be two games on Thursday as rookies Songwe United who are anchoring the log table, play defending champions Silver Strikers at Karonga Stadium.
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers who are on position 5 on the log table, will host Mafco FC at Kamuzu Stadium.
On Saturday, Kamuzu Barracks who are perched on position 6 will be at Champion Stadium, hosting league debutants Ekhaya FC who are on second position on the log table.
The matches continue on Sunday with FCB Nyasa Big Bullets hosting Chitipa United at Kamuzu Stadium as Creck Sporting hosts Mighty Wanderers at Champion Stadium.
Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos will be looking forward to reverse their fortunes as they host Karonga United at Dedza Stadium.
The government through the Ministry of Finance have mutually resolved to allow the Extended Credit Facility Program to lapse until further notice.
In a press statement the ministry has issued, Secretary for Treasury Betchani Tchereni says this follows the Government’s recent discussion with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during the recent Spring meetings in Washington DC.
According to the statement, the ECF that was approved on 14th November, 2023 was aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability, a thing that has faced a number of exogenous shocks which made it difficult for the side of supply side to assist both increased revenue and enhanced production.
Tchereni
“This resolution allows the political environment necessary for the progression of the ECF program to normalize as is expected after the elections in September 2025,” reads part of the statement.
The statement also said this move will allow the Government to leverage its fresh electroal mandate in negotiating a more sustainable ECF package for the country to gain macroeconomic stability going forward.
The statement further said that as Government it remains confident that post-election, the partnership with the IMF will continue the progress made so far in restoring international donor confidence in Malawi’s committiment to the macroeconomic reforms necessary for staying on the path of recovery and debt sustainability.
The statement adds that IMF will send a mission end May 2025 to make consultations and monitoring for Malawi’s economic main stays in preparation for a tailor made Malawi Programme in the future and the Ministry assures the public that during this period where ECF program will be in the state of suspension, the economic reforms protocols established to exercise fiscal discipline will continue in force
Malawi President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has expressed Government commitment to enhance mass production in order for his Government to register economic growth.
President Chakwera was speaking in Mzuzu during this year’s Kamuzu day celebration.
“Kamuzu encouraged manufacturing of various products locally which is crucual for our economic growth,” he said.
Apart from manufacturing the President also commended Kamuzu Banda for encourage agriculture, trade, roads as well as railways.
“I know that many of you are like me, dreamers who still believe in Malawi, dreamers who still believe in the rise of of Malawi to greatness and I am determined to restore the foundation Kamuzu laid inorder to make this a country where your dreams come true,” Chakwera said.
Chakwera
He also encouraged Malawians to remain positive about their dreams and not giving up the country to the same people who destroyed the foundations Kamuzu laid down for the fulfilment of that dream.
Chakwera also encouraged young people in the country to place their trust in him and give him the mandate to continue leading the nation to carry the country’s vision forward.
The Malawi leader has commended Malawians for putting their trust in him with hope that things will change to for betterment of every Malawian with his visionary leardership.
During the function Kamuzu family representative, Ken Kandodo commended Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera for continuing with Kamuzu vision.
Secretary to the President and Cabinet (SPC), Colleen Zamba, has stated that her office is currently powerless to act against civil servants who are actively participating in political activities.
Zamba revealed that the inability to act stems from the fact that Parliament has not yet provided the necessary legal framework or prescriptions to guide her office in dealing with such cases.
Her remarks come amid rising concerns from legal experts, governance commentators, and the general public over the growing trend of public servants getting involved in partisan politics.
Zamba
The issue has become particularly pressing in light of the upcoming September 16 General Election, with reports indicating that some civil servants have gone as far as contesting in political party primaries.
Zamba’s comments suggest a significant gap in Malawi’s legal and administrative systems regarding the regulation of public servants’ conduct during election periods.
Speaking in response to these concerns, Zamba emphasized that while the Constitution and Civil Service regulations prohibit civil servants from engaging in active politics, there remains a lack of enforceable statutes specifically empowering her office to intervene.
She pointed out that until Parliament acts to address the legislative vacuum, her hands remain tied, regardless of how blatant the political engagement by civil servants may be.
According to Zamba, enforcement mechanisms must be clearly stipulated in law before disciplinary measures can be legally and fairly implemented.
The SPC further warned that taking action without legal backing would expose her office to accusations of political persecution or abuse of power.
This position has sparked debate among stakeholders, with some accusing the government of using the lack of legal prescriptions as an excuse to tolerate politically aligned civil servants.
Others argue that Parliament has been slow in addressing critical gaps in governance laws, thereby allowing a culture of impunity to fester within the public service.
Legal scholars, such as Professor Garton Kamchedzera, have argued that Malawi’s democratic values are undermined when civil servants, who are supposed to be neutral, take part in politics.
He insists that the Public Service Act and other governance instruments should be urgently reviewed to introduce clear sanctions for such conduct.
Meanwhile, civil society organizations have demanded swift action from both the executive and the legislature to protect the integrity of the civil service.
They argue that failure to act not only compromises professionalism but also erodes public trust in government institutions.
The Malawi Law Society has also weighed in, urging Parliament to prioritize the matter in its next session and enact laws that reinforce the nonpartisan nature of the civil service.
This controversy highlights broader concerns about the politicization of state institutions and the blurred lines between governance and party politics in Malawi.
Observers warn that if left unaddressed, the situation could have long-term implications for public accountability and the credibility of the 2025 electoral process.
Zamba’s call for legislative intervention is likely to pile pressure on lawmakers to move with urgency in crafting legal instruments that clearly define the boundaries for public servants.
As the countdown to the General Election continues, the spotlight will remain firmly on how the government handles this sensitive and politically charged issue.
Failure to resolve it may result in further entrenchment of political influence within public administration, thereby undermining democratic governance.
Zamba has made it clear that until Parliament acts, the executive branch’s ability to enforce neutrality in the civil service remains fundamentally limited.
As political temperatures rise, Malawi awaits decisive action to protect its democratic institutions and ensure a fair, professional, and impartial public service.
