The European Union has told Swaziland’s King Mswati III to allow political parties to operate in his kingdom. It said it was important that international principles of democracy were upheld in Swaziland, sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarchy. Political parties remain banned and are not allowed to contest elections, yet freedom of association is provided for in Section 25 of its Constitution.
UK aids Malawi
UK recently contributed $7.8 million to help the United Nations World Food Programme provide school meals for 770,000 children in 683 primary schools in Malawi. The contribution will also enable WFP to support more than 5,000 children in 35 Community-based Childcare Centres, and provide take-home rations for more than 24,000 girls and orphan boys in primary schools.
Journos re-instated
The Media Institute of Southern Africa’s Swaziland Chapter recently celebrated the decision by the Swazi Observer Board of Directors to reinstate editors Alec Lushaba and Thulani Thwala who were suspended eight months ago for “writing stories critical of King Mswati III”.
MISA called for respect of the job security of journalists, adding that unjustifiable suspension and dismissal of journalists in media houses should be condemned to the highest order.
Treason charge test
Observers said recently that Malawi’s first-ever tripartite elections in May 2014 would be a litmus test for President Joyce Banda, currently faced with an opposition majority in parliament, soaring food prices and a potential treason trial. The charging of 12 top Malawian government officials with treason may be a catalyst for more unrest and a recipe for disaster for Banda as soaring food prices are set to impact over 65 percent of Malawians this year.
Judges withdraw
Four Zambian High Court judges recently recused themselves from ruling on former President Rupiah Banda’s petition alleging the unlawful removal of his immunity, prompting rumours of fear and intimidation by the ruling party in the politically-charged case. Banda’s lawyers argued that Speaker Patrick Matibini violated parliamentary protocol. Judges Anne Sitali, Nicola Phiri, Mubanga Kondolo and Dominic Sichinga, all recused themselves for unstated reasons. Banda said it was illegal and irregular for the National Assembly to deny him an opportunity to be heard.
DA goes to court
South Africa’s opposition Democratic Alliance will argue its case in respect of motions of no-confidence on the President in the Constitutional Court this week. The DA believes that a member’s right to move a motion of no-confidence and have it debated within a reasonable time-frame should not be subject to any form of political interference. This follows the ruling ANC’s impediment to the opposition’s attempt to debate a vote of no-confidence on President Jacob Zuma.
Post published in: Africa News