Introduction:

ON June 8, 2012 Malawi Government made a momentous announcement. It said that it will not host the African Union summit scheduled for July 2012 because the bloc insisted on inviting Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on international war crimes charges .

The decision, expected locally in the context that Malawi risked completely losing a critical but suspended US$350 million Compact from the MCC for a prior hosting of Omar al-Bashir in October last year; and stood to lose its newly rediscovered donor favourite if it did host him again, has several implications.

Economically, in the short run, some business that had invested capital prepositioning themselves for the summit, have already lost millions, and in the long run, the US Government will have to find another excuse for condemning Malawi’s citizenry, most of whom are poor and survive on donor hand-outs, into the dark.hThis is the easy part.

In a Garvey Karvei/Wise One from the East collaboration, this is a journey back memory lane with the intentions of exploring possible ramifications of Malawi’s decision on her relationship with fellow African countries – which promise to say the least, much excitement.

For the western world, and most likely Botswana, Zambia and a few others that have expressed readiness to arrest Omar al-Bashir; Malawi’s decision is exemplary. How will others, especially countries ruled by leaders made from the same matter that comprises Omar al-Bashir react?

Scope:

This write-up on the subject of the relationship of the AU and its predecessor the OAU, with Malawi spans over reigns of the four independence presidents of Malawi. The natural genesis is Malawi under the leadership of Malawi’s founding president, who at his peak was referred to as His Excellency, the Life President, Ngwazi Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda.

It dwells in passing on the time of Bakili Muluzi, before moving on to the era of Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika who chaired the bloc in 2010. It climaxes and ends in the reign of current President Joyce Banda.

Advisory:

• Readers more attuned to reading short articles are better off re-reading old sms messages on their mobile. This cannot be short.
• For people not familiar with Malawi, please note that there is no relationship, in blood or otherwise, between Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda and Mrs. Joyce Banda.

For Part I click here
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©2012 The Maravi Post. Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgment.