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US critiques reforms

The United States of America (USA) has criticised Malawi’s ongoing public sector reforms and slow progress of Cashgate cases in court, saying government still needs to do more.

US Ambassador Virginia Palmer, speaking during a reception she hosted in Lilongwe to commemorate her country’s independence on July 4, said the Malawi Government needs to do more to speed up the processes.

Palmer (L) and Chaponda toasting to the success of the USA
Palmer (L) and Chaponda toasting to the success of the USA

She said: “We look at the parliamentary order paper and ask: Where are the new laws that show government’s promise of ‘never again’ is a serious one?  We look at the flat budgets of accountability institutions and ask whether the pursuit of past and present corruption is really being intensified.

“Where are the seized assets? What are the consequences of bad audits?  Who is getting fired?”

Palmer said there is need for concerted efforts from all stakeholders, including the public, to achieve the desired results in the fight against corruption and public sector management.

According to the diplomat, civil society organisations (CSOs), the public and the media ought to generate debate about what they think of the meaning of public sector reforms.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation George Chaponda, who was the guest of honour during the USA’s 239th independence anniversary commemoration, said Malawi is learning from America, among others in the areas of democracy, transparency, human rights and respect for the rule of law.

In this regard, he said Malawi is determined to promote good governance in the areas of fiscal and monetary discipline and accountability.

President Peter Mutharika and his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) embarked on public sector reforms after being elected into government in May 2014. The Public Service Reforms Commission is chaired by Vice-President Saulos Chilima and has since set targets for several ministries.

In June this year, British High Commissioner Michael Nevin also asked government to be serious with the reforms by making it practical and not mere rhetoric.

 

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