Congoma says dialogue is way forward

Congoma says civil society organisations will convene a national conference in the week beginning February 24 2013 to discuss progress on the implementation of the resolutions agreed upon with government and decide the way forward.

Negotiations between the CSOs and the government started after the July 2011 national protests against the political and economic governance of late president Bingu wa Mutharika.

In a press statement, Congoma chairperson Voice Mhone said government cannot ignore its responsibility and duty to follow dialogue resolutions it agreed with the civil society.

Mhone said any attempts contrary to following the dialogue resolutions shall be interpreted as negligence of duty on part of government.

“The dialogue resolutions were agreed upon between government and civil society. In this case government cannot abrogate its responsibility and duty to follow the dialogue resolutions to their logical conclusion, “reads the statement in part.

In the statement, Congoma called upon the civil society to remain focused on the resolutions and ensure that they are implemented in totality and not bits and pieces.

Reads the statement: “At the same time the civil society should work for the common good of both Malawians and fellow CSOs by following agreed upon and existing channels of communication or action on the resolutions for proper coordination.”

Congoma, a coordinating body for all NGOs in the country, has over 450 members as declared during the 2012 Annual General Assembly of NGOs.