LILONGWE.

The month of March 2010 has not been any similar to others in Malawi. There have been arrest of Ethiopian illegal immigrants, return of Danish bilateral ties, and floods, among other pertinent issues.

On 17th March about 95 immigrants from the Horn of Africa nation were picked up by police after a tip. Four Malawians and a Tanzanian travelling in a Toyota Ipsum were also arrested for facilittating their illegal entry.

Police Public Relations Officer for Mzuzu, Edward Longwe said the group entered Malawi through uncharted routes in Mzimba district in a 10 tonne Fuso truck.

"It was overloaded and some well wishers tipped us. Mzimba is becoming a favourite entry route for most illegal immigrants. We are alert, however," he said.

Rwandese on the other hand refused to go back to their country after a visit by Home Affairs and Internal Security minister visited Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa district.

Minister Aaron Sangala said the country would repatriate any refugees whose life were not threatened in their countries.

However, the refugees claim there is still witch-hunting and that government was using its ethnical majority led by Paul Kagame to prosecute, abuse, and strike back at returnees.

This is the month also when Malawi scored a diplomatic positive when Denmark embassodor after pulling out of the country in 2002.

Then Danish representative to Malawi said political intolerance by the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) of President Bakili Muluzi as witnessed by politically-motivated violence and what he termed as "systematic intimidation of the opposition" has made it difficult for Denmark to continue assisting Malawi.

UDF-initiated attempts to intimidate judges in Parliament did not help matters, he said.

"On this background, the Danish government has decided no longer to include Malawi in its list of programme countries and to phase out DANIDA's support to development and environment programmes in Malawi," Mr Pedersen said.

"This means no new Danish development or environmental programmes or projects will be initiated in Malawi."

Presenting his Letters of Credence to President Bingu wa Mutharika, whose ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is revamping bilateral relations with a number of countries, the Danish representative said his country was back in Malawi and that their core objective was to promote democracy.

Earlier in the month, over 100 homes were wrecked in Rumphi district. 700 people were rendered homeless and were housed in churches and calss room blocks. Five people were wounded.

Wezi Chipeta of World Vision International (Mpama Area Development Project) said crops, fertiliser, homes and other possessions were destroyed. Four teacher houses were also destroyed rendering education impossible.

WVI also promotes and supports education projects in the country.

In the northern city of Mzuzu, five pupils were killed after heavy rains due to poor drainage.

March continues to be a month of ups and downs.