Malawi CCJP against Pres. Banda’s celebration of one year rule

Government plans to celebrate President Joyce Banda and her ruling People’s Party (PP) 12 months rule on April 7, have been the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) describing it as “insensitive to people’s suffering.”

According to published reports, the celebrations scheduled to be held at the Civo Stadium in the capital, Lilongwe, were announced to ministers, principal secretaries and some directors at a meeting held in Lilongwe in mid March.

The Nation quoted PP spokesperson Hophmally Makande on confirming the development.

But CCJP national secretary Chris Chisoni said: “One would think government will be saying let’s remember the death of the late president than celebrating [one year in office].”

President Banda the day she was sworn in as Malawi leader April 7, 2012

He told the paper: “What is there to celebrate when people are starving and there are no drugs in hospitals? This is a very good joke government is embarking on when the economy is grinding to a halt.”

The Nation also quoted President of Political Science Association (PSA), Joseph Chunga, who described the idea of celebrating PP’s one year as stunning.

“It’s stunning because I don’t know if we should be celebrating as it were. It puzzles me when we focus on celebrations while losing focus on challenges we ought to overcome.

“Why do people want to pat themselves at the back before achieving real milestones? Do we have anything to celebrate for looking at the past year?” he queried.

President Banda took over the reign of power after the death of president Bingu wa Mutharika on April 3, 2012.