Of Malawi’s seasoned human rights activists and politics

Malawi will never stop to amuse me. It’s hilarious how people mix everything, politics, human rights, family/personal issues and current affairs.

With the current economic crisis hitting hard, everyone can claim to be whatever and whosoever he/she want.

I remember a couple of months ago people were so excited criticising the late president, professor Bingu Wa Mutharika when he refused to suspend an anti-homosexuality law so that Malawi could be granted aid and funding that was suspended because of the law banning gays and minority rights groups in the country.

The late Mutharika and many others who followed him were called names, criticised and demonstrations followed as the country’s economic woes continued when they insisted on maintaining Malawi culture and norms.

Everyone who supported the gay banning motion was a ‘gold digger’ according to some seasoned activists who instead of helping to find ways and solutions to help Malawi’s shrinking economy were always criticising any regime in power.

What exactly did they want? Why opposing everything? Why don’t they just come in the open and declare your political ambitions and join the opposition so that maybe the nation should see if you are capable of leading and not ruling in the roaming elections.

When the DPP regime was arresting people, activists were on the fore front criticising the government for its wrong doing which was very right.

And those arrested got the support from almost all the corners of the nation, everyone was there for them just because they all believed in them and were eager to see results from them in the hard economic times.

They were the people’s only hope, but “beware how you take away hope from another human being.”

How can people be so cold-hearted? Cheating poor Malawi for a thumb/vote?

You get people’s support, you file cases, get your compensations then you leave everyone agape, wondering what is happening to the promises you made, the hope you gave them.

President madam Joyce Banda was a critic of the late Bingu wa Mutharika’s leadership and she got sidelined in decision making positions and other privileges were taken away from her, out of a sudden everyone turned to support her, some got the price for that, they were given positions while the rest were left off.

And now since there is nothing to do, no jobs to get funding for, they have teamed up again to fraud donors through criticism and petitions.

Economic decisions

The then president of the republic of Malawi, late Bingu wa Muthalika refused to devalue the kwacha, and he was criticised, the media was all over him for ruling not leading the Malawi nation.

Now President Joyce Banda devalued the kwacha trying to make things right, what did she get in return-criticism and more criticism.

Who made the wrong decision on economy between the two? Muthalika or Banda? Malawi activists know better I guess.

Gay rights

Homosexual acts are illegal in Malawi. Section 153 prohibits “unnatural offences”. Section 156 concerning “public decency” is used to punish homosexual acts.

Tourists who commit homosexuality with locals can be prosecuted under Section 156 and expelled as “undesirable aliens”.

In late December 2009, a trans-woman and a man, Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza, were arrested for holding a traditional ‘engagement’ party.

They were imprisoned in Blantyre, were denied bail and stood trial. On 18 May, they were found guilty, although there has been an international outcry from LGBT solidarity groups.

On 29 May 2010, then President Bingu wa Mutharika pardoned both individuals.

On 18 May 2012, President Joyce Banda announced intention to repeal the law criminalizing same-sex sexual activity. On 5 November, a moratorium was issued on the law pending possible repeal.

Current the police in Malawi have been ordered not to arrest or prosecute homosexuals until parliament has debated the issue, said Ralph Kasambara.

At present, homosexual acts carry a maximum sentence of 14 years in jail.

Some Western leaders have suggested they would cut aid to African countries failing to recognise gay rights.

Homosexuality is illegal in most African nations and remains a controversial topic in Malawi’s traditionally conservative society.

One of Malawi’s most influential traditional leaders, Chief Kaomba, had urged the government not to let parliament change its laws on homosexuality.

“This is against our culture,” he said.

Soon after the news broke out about the suspension of anti-gay rights, some activists petitioned the president to reverse the decision, yet they are the same people who were pressing the late Wa Mutharika to legalise gay marriages in Malawi.

Most of Malawi’s activists are attention seekers, trying to dig gold with their mouths which is tarnishing every regime’s leadership in Malawi.

If it is money they are after, its better if they find other ways of generating money other than blackmailing and criticising leaders.