Malawi: Forum for National Development – Call to Investigate Messers Shyley Kondowe and Admson Mkandawire on Suspicion of Financial Crimes, Money Laundering and Corruption (06.10.2022)

Malawi: United Transformation Movement (UTM) – A Statement from UTM Media Team Members (03.10.2022)

Opinion: Chakwera said all the right things at UNGA…

That President Lazarus Chakwera, the Malawian President and Tonse Alliance leader spoke with tenacity and well bound reasoning at the United Nations General Assembly on the 22nd September 2022. The former Reverend and Christian Preacher knows how to use words. That’s why he went from being an opposition leader to the Head of State. Therefore, no one should be in awe that he spoke like he did.

We must choose for our children a future of solidarity, hospitality, and generosity that transcend borders and national identities in times of global crisis; or a future of greed that hoards life-saving technologies, medicines, and vaccines in one hemisphere while the other hemisphere is robbed of its raw materials and left perishing. We must choose for our children a future of peace fostered by equitable sustainable development between north and south and between east and west; or a future of conflicts triggered by the widening economic inequality between rich and poor, men and women, young and old” (Chakwera, 22.09.2022).

The Malawian President spoke the truth here, universal truths and what everyone should stand for. This is the right values, but does his government live up these words? Does the government of Blantyre and Lilongwe really stand by this rhetoric?

We know the current regime is in the middle of a state capture. There is knowledge of grand scandals, lack of forex, inflation and trouble of imports. The current government isn’t handling crisis well and isn’t living for choices of the children, but living by the motto: “Our turn to eat”.

In the same regard: “But in a world where the virus keeps mutating and spreading, the measures we have employed to achieve all this are not sustainable. The most effective weapon we need is the vaccine. As such, you can imagine our disappointment to be at an assembly like this, rubbing shoulders with nations that are now administering booster shots while most of our people have yet to get their first one. This form of vaccine nationalism is wrong. It is insensitive. And it must end. Release the Vaccines” (Chakwera, 22.09.2022).

The President is speaking the truth here. The West and the rich nations hoarded the vaccines. They paid a huge price for it and blocked the options for others to get vaccines. Many countries only got surplus or the types that the nations didn’t even want to use. That’s why the vaccine nationalism is dangerous and COVID-19 world-governance proves that.

What is striking however in this regard, that the nations themselves should try to have stocks and ability to have vaccines as well. They shouldn’t have the need for goodwill or charity from others, which is what Chakwera in the end is asking. A sovereign and a nation should be able to get into the race of buying and the capacity needed too. Not only hope that WHO operated services will cover the needs of the nation. No, that’s where Chakwera and other leaders are at fault. They didn’t fulfil their own responsibilities.

He also said: “The need to work together on SDGs is why I am looking forward to meeting other LDCs for the fifth Summit of our grouping in Doha this coming January. Let’s work together, because even though my country has a ten-year implementation plan for achieving Agenda 2030 on SDGs, much of that plan cannot be done in isolation. The bottom line is, if one nation among us fails or succeeds to achieve sustainable development, so do the rest” (Chakwera, 22.09.2022).

The ideals here are positive and righteous. If the SDGs matters, than everyone have to try to fulfil them. That is pledges to make a difference and make the world sustainable. However, there will be nations failing and nations not willing to do so. They will do some, but not do the things that challenges their industries or financial markets. That’s why the ideals are there, but we know they wouldn’t achieve what is needed. This would burden to much of the big economies and the leaders couldn’t ensure damage or insecurity in this fashion.

That’s why Chakwera is speaking well and eloquent here on the subject. His saying the right things, as a skilled politician. The whole speech to UNGA was filled with it. While not reflecting on the troubles at home. Neither accepting the issues or the realities on the ground. The President didn’t reflect or mirror the challenges, which he has at home. Instead, pinning the others and asking for more help. That someone else has to come in and be the saviour. While not being held to account for the failures and lack of preparations. The COVID-19 didn’t only show Vaccine-Nationalism, but it also showed who was prepared and who wasn’t. The pandemic showed the true character of the governments and what they are willing to do.

President Chakwera proves he can speak and make a wholesome speech. He can have a coherent vision and be intelligent about it. Still, it doesn’t show what is needed to be said and be direct about the true state of affairs. Yes, if he had done that… it would have been brave and been sincere. Instead, his trying to look good and asking for so much. Yes, there is a need for global solidarity and work together. We all need that, but as a Head of State and a President. You yourself and your government have to work and show progress on your own too. Not only expect others to support or give funding for you to do something. Than your not a custodian, but instead a tenant with a fancy title. I hope Chakwera is more than that and not only beholden to the donors or the International Community.

So, please, Chakwera… you said all the right things, but you didn’t show the truth. Unless, you wanted to conceal the truth, which is shady. But… that’s just what I am seeing and another brother might see something else. Peace.

Malawi: Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) – ACB Arrest former Solicitor General and former Board Chair for PPDA in Lilongwe and Blantyre respectively (05.08.2022)

Opinion: Pelosi’s misadventure to Taiwan…

181 countries have established diplomatic relations with China on the basis of the one-China principle. The one-China principle is a universal consensus of the international community and a basic norm in international relations” (Hua Chunying, 02.08.2022).

Today it finally happened. There been reports and leaked information that this might occur. However, the Chinese government have warned about this in advance. The Biden Administration has clearly not gotten the memo. The call between the President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping has not worked. The Biden administration and such should have informed and been clear about it’s intentions. Instead, they are humiliating Beijing. We know that these Republic’s wants to be seen as superpowers and superior of others. That is knowledge the whole world has by now. Nevertheless, sometimes courtesy and follow requests can go a long way. That was not done here.

The Democratic Party run government has instead defied and acted in spite. For the Taiwan strait and the possibility of a fruitful dialogue between China-U.S. is thwarted here. U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has chosen sides and also sent a signal. That is sending alarm-bells to Beijing. As she landed in Taipei.

Here is some more vital information on the matter and why it’s consequential…

Chinese Government Statement on the Pelosi’s Taiwan travel:

On 2 August, in disregard of China’s strong opposition and serious representations, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi visited China’s Taiwan region. This is a serious violation of the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiqués. It has a severe impact on the political foundation of China-U.S. relations, and seriously infringes upon China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. It gravely undermines peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and sends a seriously wrong signal to the separatist forces for “Taiwan independence”. China firmly opposes and sternly condemns this, and has made serious démarche and strong protest to the United States. There is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. This has been clearly recognized by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 of 1971. Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, 181 countries have established diplomatic relations with China on the basis of the one-China principle. The one-China principle is a universal consensus of the international community and a basic norm in international relations” (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China – ‘Statement by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan’ 02.08.2022, fmprc.gov.cn).

Xi-Biden Call:

We are still relying on the official readouts and background briefings on the call, but as the readouts filter through the systems we may get more candid color on the call over the next few days. There does not appear to have been any deal on tariffs. Xi repeated a variation of his statement from the November call with Biden that those who play with fire over Taiwan will be burnt but neither readout mentions the possible Pelosi trip to Taiwan” (Bill Bishop – ‘Xi-Biden call; Politburo meeting; Taiwan; Chip corruption’ 29.07.2022, Sinocism.com).

The Washington D.C. diplomatic corps and everyone with some intelligence should know this would have a backdrop. This is showing loyalty towards Taiwan in spite and in dishonour of Beijing. The leadership of Beijing don’t want interference or questions about their reign. So, when the U.S. does this and has an adventure like that. It has costs and creates new burdens. Pelosi has burned bridges by just appearing and sending her regards from Taipei.

President Biden knew about this and the Indo-Pacific trip had to be cleared by the Home Secretary and the diplomats of Washington D.C. I doubt she just travelled and suddenly ended up in Taiwan. That was planned and scheduled. Even if the other nations visited by the U.S. House Speaker was announced ahead. The trip to Taiwan was hidden, but must have known. That’s why Chinese President warned against it. A simple reason why not too.

Even if Pelosi doesn’t come with weapons or financial aide. She still acted in defiance against the will and the sovereign state of China. As a seasoned politician she should know that this could cause trouble. When a grown person knows their act could cause issues. Maybe you should back-off and find other avenues to support Taiwan. Instead of a brief visit and create a diplomatic stalemate between the nations. That is a huge price over a trip. It is the definition of misadventure.

Pelosi isn’t helping Taiwan by doing this. She is only playing with fire and isn’t talking in a manner, which is useful for Beijing. What she has done is in spite and not constructive. How can you trust the U.S. when they cannot listen or adhere to simple requests?

I will also end with statement from someone from Taiwan:

A relative (living outside Taiwan) asked me if I’m doing alright in Taiwan, given the global coverage over the last few days about Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. I said, things are normal because living in Taiwan, we have become used to China’s threats. The high-levelness of Pelosi’s visit made global news these few days and put greater spotlight on China’s threats, and for many people who seldom hear of news from this part of this world, the threats sound scary. But these are the threats Taiwanese face on a constant basis. The good thing about what happened these few days is that it has made people globally more aware of Taiwan’s situation and helped clarify the facts. China as it is known today was only founded by the CCP party in 1949, and since its founding, never ruled Taiwan. As such, CCP has no claims over Taiwan. Prior to CCP, it was the KMT political party which controlled most parts of China. It later fled to Taiwan and controlled Taiwan, but since Taiwan democratized from the late-1980s, Taiwanese have voted KMT out of government. Taiwan today has therefore never been controlled by CCP, and CCP does not have any claims over Taiwan. Taiwanese have also exercised their democratic rights to elect a government of their own choosing, and based on surveys, people here see themselves as Taiwanese, not Chinese. To Taiwanese, the issue of Taiwan’s identity is thus settled: Taiwan is a normal independent country. However, China has blocked other countries from establishing normal relations with Taiwan, which allows it to push the idea that Taiwan isn’t independent and belongs to China. In order to stop allowing such an idea to be propagated, it is therefore important for other countries to interact with Taiwan normally, and this is why not making a fuss over Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan is important. This normalizes the fact that Taiwan is an independent country. These few days allow people to be more aware of Taiwan’s situation & to have first hand experience of the threats China is capable of making against Taiwan. Hopefully, it helps emphasize why it’s important to not to placate authoritarian regimes, as this will only embolden them” (Roy Ngerng 鄞義林, 02.08.2022).

We can expect more coming and this just shows how things really are. It is no surprise that Beijing wants sovereign control over Taipei and Taiwan. However, that isn’t the case, but certainly the tensions between the superpowers will persist. Because, Pelosi did humiliate the CCP in Beijing. That will have consequence whether we like it or not. Peace.

Malawi: Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) – HRDC condemns the alleged assault and abduction of activist, Slyvester Namiwa* (27.07.2022)

Malawi: Forum for National Development (FND) – Bravo Parliament on Adoption of Motion on the Independence of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) – (22.07.2022)

Malawi: Pan African Civic Education Network (PACENT) – We demand immediate and unconditional release from Police Custody of the arrested Peaceful Demonstrators (20.07.2022)

Malawi: Dr. Hetherwick M. Ntaba – False Allegations in the Killings of Persons with Albinism (08.07.2022)

Malawi: Joint Statement on MCP-UTM Working Relationship (07.07.2022)