73 subjects with 75 messages.
The AfricaNews articles of Mtheto Lungu
Donors caution Malawi on gays
About three months after the arrest of first open gay couple engagement in the commercial city of Blantyre; seven of the country's donor bodies have come out to voice their concern. The African Development Bank (AfDB) resident representative to Malawi, Frank Kufakwandi, said donors were concerned with the way Malawi is handling gays. - Kufakwandi as chairperson of the Common Approach Budgetary Support (CABS) group said issues of human rights have universal appeal.
"The homosexual issue has raised international concern and Malawi needs to handle the matter carefully," he said.
Respect for human rights, poverty reduction, democratic principles, sound macro-economic management and good g…AU to end Zimbabwe, Kenya conflicts
The Norwegian Minister of Environment and Development Cooperation, Erik Solheim, had asked the African Union (AU) leader, Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika to do all he can to ensure conflicts in Zimbabwe and Kenya ended amicably. - In Zimbabwe, Tsvangirai and long-stayed President Robert Mugabe are sharing a government of national unity (GoU). Tension is however not completely gone between the two arch-rivals.
Solheim told reporters during his visit to Lilongwe that Africa had suffered deep conflicts and it was Mutharika's responsibility as AU leader to help find solutions.
"We want President Mutharika to take a leading role in solving conflicts in Africa," he said, singling out Zim…NGOs criticize Malawi gov’t over abuse
A grouping of seventy local and international non-governmental organizations has asked government to desist from forcing teachers and pupils to presidential and political functions. The Civil society coalition for Basic Education (CSQBE) said this is one of the main reasons education standards in Malawi are going down. - A press release from CSQBE on this said: “We have noted with regret that as a country we are sliding back to the times of the one party dictatorship when schools spent a lot of their precious time attending presidential rallies and dancing before the president.”
However government spokesman, Minister of Information and Civic Education, Leckford Thotho, argues …Malawi: Envoy lashes out at media
British ambassador to Malawi asked government media to desist from lacing negative government issues with 'kid gloves'. Commissioner Fergus Cochrane-Dyet was speaking when the local media watchdog, the Media Council of Malawi (MCM), sensitized stakeholders on its new set of Accreditation Policy and Procedures and Press Card Scheme in the capital Lilongwe. - Dyet was also quick to ask members of the press to desist from sensational reporting. As of now, added the Ambassador, Malawi’s media has a bright international image.
“You do not get into journalism when you are not ready to be credible and responsible. The same goes for politicians who should not get into politics if they…Malawi: MPs suspended over dissenting views
The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Malawi has suspended three of its parliamentarians over dissenting comments made in the just-ended August sitting. The MPs voiced their views against the recent controversial directive by Mutharika to impose the infamous quota system of education. - The quota system seeks to have an equal number of the first ten students from each of the districts of the landlocked country access to university selection.
Ironically, the AU aims at uniting and building coherent consensus on the African continent in all matters of governance, democracy and self-sustenance.
Mutharika said he was committed to ensuring the objectives of the continental body …Malawi: Hailstorms kill one, damage property
A second wave of hailstorms hit the northern region's capital of Mzuzu killing a child and damaging property worth millions. This comes after a first injured one man and damaged even more property last month. - A tree fell on a stationery vehicle and there was a blackout in the city after the hailstorm hit, killing 8-year-old Marcella Kalowekamo as she returned from school. The girl hails from Karonga, some 300 kilometres from the city where earthquakes killed four people, injured hundreds, displaced over 6,000 and affected over 16,000 people - damaging property including banks, churches, schools and households worth millions.
The girl tried to cross a drift full of water and was swept aw…SADC NGO's pressure Malawi on gay couple
About thirty-five Southern African non-governmental organizations want arrested gay couple Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza released without condition. The NGOs argue the arrest and trial on suspected homosexuality compromises the fight against HIV/AIDS and mostly violates fundamental rights. - Under sections 153 and 156 of the Penal Code, homosexuality is against the laws of Malawi.
“These laws must be repealed as they are discriminatory,” said the NGO’s umbrella body, Aids and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa.
Last week Malawi’s lawmakers meeting in the capital Lilongwe bashed European parliamentarians of trying to work against the enshrined laws of a…Malawi lambasts British, Scottish MPs
Members of Parliament in Malawi have criticised British and Scottish MPs for meddling in a sovereign state's affairs. The western law makers, particularly the Scotts, continue to discuss and criticise Malawi for the arrest of gay couple Steve Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga. - Kondwani Nankuluma of the Legal Affairs committee of parliament said it was wrong for the Scottish MPs to meddle in Malawi's business.
"We are following our laws and proceeding with the case for the two in the courts. They have no part in this business as we have laws and we are following it. Why do they keep pestering us to release the two?" he said.
Monjeza and Chimbalanga were arrested a day after openly holdi…Malawi: Genocide suspect slips out to US
Rwandan officials have pursued their Malawian counterparts on the whereabouts of a 1994 Rwandese genocide suspect, Vincent Nzigiyimfura who was last freely conducting business in the country. Rwandan prosecutor General Martin Ngoga said the suspect was last reported in Malawi under the name Vincent Nzigiye. - He added that the Africa Rights, a non-governmental organisation and his country officials were convinced the man had sneaked out to the United States of America.
"We do not know under what circumstances he managed to sneak out of Malawi and end up in the US," he said.
Malawian authorities, however, said they were investigating the matter through the Malawi Police but that this is…Malawi: Earth tremor hits again
A heavy earth tremor hit the central region of Malawi in the early hours of 0100 and 0200 CAT on Thursday. Residents in the capital Lilongwe, in Dedza and other parts of the region took to their heels as houses tremble and threatened to collapse. The magnitude was 3.8. No casualties have been reported. - “I was at work when this happened. We were all outside the buildings. It was a big tremor,” said Airport Police Sgt. Thandi Singano resident in Lumbadzi and working at the Kamuzu International Airport.
Ken Mwanyongo, resident some 25 kilometers away from the airport in the heart of the city, said he was awakened by the tremors and he rushed outside with his dependents.
R…Malawi: One dies in wild celebrations
What started as celebrations after Malawi beat Algeria 3-0 turned ugly when a child was hit dead by a vehicle. Another person was injured when a car tyre run over his foot. Both incidents which took place in populous townships of Mchesi and Kawale, were a result of excited Malawi national team supporters crowding the streets to cheer their team. - A police vehicle from Kawali unit also joined the frenzy as it drove about, lights on, horns blaring and passengers that included children shouted their love for the Flames.
Low density area of Bwandilo Area 47 was no different. Ecstatic drivers and pedestrians flashed three fingers symbolizing the three goals and the three points of Bwandilo ti…Angola 2010: Malawi crucify Algeria
Minnows Malawi humiliated World Cup 2010 bound Algeria by a three goals to nil in their opening Group A match to the surprise of many football pundits. The results sparked thunderous joy in the southern African country contrary to their fear as the Algerians dominated the game. - Malawi's Flames scored their first goal through a hot shot from Russel Mwafulirwa just after the 16 minutes past the Algerian goalkeeper at the ongoing African Cup of Nations.
The second came in after a beautiful shot from Elvis Kafoteka which was connected into the net making it two zero within the first half.
The second half saw Malawi looking increasing confident on the ball, with players like Josephy Kamw…
