Interview: We do not need executive arrogance—Timothy Mtambo

Some civil society organisations are planning demonstrations on January 13 to force Beautify Malawi (Beam) Trust and Mulhako wa Alhomwe to return the money they got from National Aids Commission (NAC). I spoke with the executive director of the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) Timothy Mtambo on this.

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Q: You are leading a group of CSOs that plan to take to the streets onJanuary 13 to protest against Beam’s refusal to return NAC money. Street protests are supposed to be the last resort to problem solving. Would you explain what you have done before settling for the demonstrations?

A : As CSOs concerned with NAC-gate, we feel we have exhausted all the necessary channels on the issue. When the Weekend Nation reported the matter some weeks ago, we issued a statement in which we demanded an immediate refund of NAC money, among other recommendations. Sadly, all we got was Executive arrogance and blatant refusal by Beam, NAC and others to refund the money. Even the justifications against refund of the money have been far from convincing, at least in our view. For instance, despite giving a seven-day ultimatum for the concerned parties to respond and refund the money, the presidential adviser on NGOs labelled us as being jealous of Beam Trust and that we should go ahead with the planned demonstrations.

More insulting are NAC claims that it participated in both functions as part of its “high level advocacy” on HIV and Aids? How do you define “high level advocacy” on HIV and Aids in the context where there is nothing to show of such? We have not even heard from Mulhako wa Alhomwe. As such these demonstrations are meant to be the last resort to offer concerned Malawians an avenue to express their grievances against this kind of “stubbornness” and refund the NAC money to be used for its rightful purpose.

Q :Do you think going to the street would achieve this purpose?

A : The demonstrations provide an effective avenue for the public, whom we have all along represented on the matter through the exhausted ‘diplomatic’ avenues, to come and directly participate in the bringing of their grievances to the relevant parties on the matter. Perhaps, if they see the people we are representing demonstrating their ‘bitterness’ on the matter, they can listen. It all depends on them, and it is our sincere hope that they will return the money even before the January 13 2015. If they don’t, there shall always be a way forward until the money is returned to NAC to be used for its intended purposes. We are more than determined to fight this cause to the very end in the interest of all Malawians and human rights for all.

Q : What are some of the issues you feel Mutharika has done well in the few months he has been in power?

A : It is pleasing to note that the President has lived true to his pledge of a lean Cabinet of not more than 20 ministers, the civil service reform, Malawi’s maiden appearance at the UN Human Rights Committee 111th Session in Geneva, and several other positive strides ably spelt out in CHRR, Cedep joint 100 days assessment of Mutharika are some of Mutharika’s achievements. It is a fact that, as compared with Joyce Banda’s regime, the President has reduced internal and external travels which is a positive step in as far as saving of the public funds is concerned.

The progress on Cashgate cases, which we noted especially in the first days until the Judiciary strikes, is another positive step his government has taken. Of course, there have been allegations of political witch-hunting and selective arrests. However, our position as CHRR has always been that the institutions entrusted to investigate and prosecute Cashgate cases should be allowed to do their job as guided by the law, and if any member belonging to the previous regime is proven beyond reasonable doubt that he took part in Cashgate, the law should not spare him or her just for fear of being labelled as ‘political witchhunting’.

Government’s commitment to passing the Access to Information Bill in the next sitting of Parliament is a positive step. It is our sincere hope that this shall be honoured.

Q : Where has APM done wrong?

A : The failure to rise up and exercise mature leadership by openly condemning NAC-gate and then calling for immediate refund of NAC money by Beam Trust and Mulhako wa Alhomwe, his failure to resolve the continuing strikes in the Judiciary and other institutions; the return of Executive arrogance, nepotism, the politicisation of State broadcasters, the return of DPP youth cadets, and lack of sound economic reforms leading to high cost of living among Malawians, are some of Mutharika’s weaknesses. His silence on matters he is expected to speak about and provide hope and direction for is more worrisome to the public, who seem to often wonder if they really have a leader.

Q : If you compare Mutharika’s positives and negatives, what kind of leader do you think we have in this country?

A : As once observed by Professor Boniface Dulani, Mutharika is a slow decision maker who lacks pro-activeness, if the eight-months of his reign are anything to go by. If he continues with this kind of lackadaisical approach to critical issues, Malawi may witness the worst President ever to have ruled this country. It is high time he woke up from slumber and saved the nation.

Q : Anything you would want to add.

A : We want to assure the President and the public that CHRR, guided by its vision of a Malawi with a vibrant culture which embraces the values of democracy and human rights for all, shall continue to play its watchdog role without fear or favour as part of complementing government’s efforts in the protection and promotion of human rights for all. So, CHRR shall remain a friend to any regime but an enemy to the specific ideologies being advanced by a particular regime which impinges on human rights for all. There is still four more years ahead for the President to work on the areas where he is not doing well, and take the country to greater heights. We wish the President and the public all the best!