Malawi Catholic Bishops Urge Action Against Corruption Amidst 'Bagamoyo' Realization
"Shame on those who have allowed this to happen! What remains is a game of make-believe, the mere appearance of fighting corruption," the letter stated.
Lilongwe, Malawi - The Catholic Bishops of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi have issued a stark warning about the state of governance in the country, likening Malawi's current situation to arriving at 'Bagamoyo' instead of the promised land of prosperity, writes Winston Mwale.
In their pastoral letter released 25th February, 2024, the bishops highlighted the pervasive nature of corruption, lamenting the impact it has on the lives of ordinary citizens.
In a poignant analogy, the bishops highlighted the disillusionment felt by many Malawians, stating, “In spite of all the excitement that the Tonse Government would lead 7 Malawians to the promised land, only four years later, to the disappointment of all except the few well-connected people, Malawi has ended up at Bagamoyo – a city on the east coast of Tanzania, which when a slave arrived there he or she lost all hope of being free again.”
“Instead of reaching the promised land of prosperity we are bogged down in the same land we wanted to leave, namely the land of hunger, disease, poverty, corruption and a like.”
The bishops expressed grave concern over the lack of progress in combating corruption, citing instances of nepotism, dubious deals, and the misuse of public resources for personal gain.
"Shame on those who have allowed this to happen! What remains is a game of make-believe, the mere appearance of fighting corruption," the letter stated.
They called on the government to take decisive action to root out corruption and restore accountability in governance.
"We cannot continue this way as a nation. Our leaders need to stop being greedy and serve the people that put them in power," the bishops emphasized, urging for a shift towards transparent and responsible leadership in Malawi.
The bishops also raised concerns about the victimization of elderly individuals accused of witchcraft, calling for greater protection of their rights and swift action to address human rights violations.
Additionally, they emphasized the need for judicial reforms to combat corruption and ensure the integrity of the legal system.
As Malawi grapples with these pressing issues, the bishops urged citizens to actively engage in civic activities, promote environmental conservation, and support initiatives that empower vulnerable groups.
They emphasized the role of every individual in driving positive change and holding leaders accountable for their actions.
In a statement, Moses Kunkuyu Kalongashawa, Minister of Information and Digitalisation and Chief Government Spokesperson, emphasized the government's determination to utilize the wisdom shared by the bishops to build on the progress the country has made.
"We acknowledge some cited challenges and remain determined to use the bishops' wisdom to continue building on the progress the country is making. We also trust that we will continue praying for each other and our beloved country, Malawi," stated Minister Kunkuyu Kalongashawa.
*Download the letter below:
