The Dearing Dialogue

United Democratic Front (UDF) and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) officials threw in the towel on their long (over a year) fight to implement section 65 of the Malawi Constitution that calls for MPs, “who defect from the party that sponsored them, which is described as ‘crossing the floor’, are to be declared vacant. Rather than joining the DPP, those MPs who crossed the floor would now be excluded from parliament” (Relief Web).  While many have called Section 65 an “important” guideline in the Constitution to ensure the rule of law and democratic goverance is followed in this young democracy, I would say that is somewhat narrow thinking, given the current state of economic affairs.

Malawi and its MPs in Parliament need to concentrate on poverty alleviation measures, not avenues for redemption of loss power, something both MCP and UDF members face today (even though UDF holds a majority in Parliament, it fails to pass effective legislation).  President Mutharika, who moved from the UDF to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in 2003, did so in order to be an effective policy-maker.  He knew the crutch of Bakili Muluzi’s presence as both former President and present UDF party chairman (and hopeful future Presidential contender) were matters that would hold back a progressive agenda of economic change.

With the recent end in the Sect 65 fight, Malawi has the opportunity to bring forward effective legislation.  Instead of bickering over power and political nuances, legislators can argue over how to implement poverty alleviation programs, issues they were elected to solve.

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