Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lilongwe (Agenzia Fides) - "Malawi is experiencing an uncertain period with regards to its democratic experience", says Fr. Piergiorgio Gamba, a Monfortan missionary, in a note sent to Agenzia Fides, while the local Bishops are in Rome for their Ad Limina visit.
"The budget this year is completely based on the taxes that the Country scrapes together, and cannot count on what was generally given by donor Countries. The Country is slowly sinking as well as its currency. The new European Union Representative, Ambassador Marchel Gerrmann, Dutch, on presenting his credentials to President Peter Mutharika reconfirmed that a decision on the possibility of resuming European aid has not yet been taken, pending the solution of the so-called Cash Gate, the misappropriation of funds donated by other States and international organizations", said Fr. Gamba.
"Europe is the most important partner of Malawi and Europe absorbs a quarter of its exports. In 2013, Europe had given the government of Malawi € 80 million in support of the budget" recalls the missionary. To meet the government spending, the government is forced to raise taxes like those on fuel, which in turn raise the prices of basic necessities
"At a social level some of those responsible for cash Gate end up in prison every day. Enormous sums have disappeared thanks to those who had the task of safeguarding the good of the Country. The damage represented by social corruption is the worst of stolen money. It even bothers me to talk about it ... " said Fr. Gamba.
However, there are small signs of hope, such as the initiative of the Canossian Sisters of Balaka, who inaugurated a model library and a first class leisure center. "The inauguration was attended by the First Lady, who launched an initiative called 'Beautify Malawi' that deserves to be supported to stop the degradation in which the Country finds itself.
Even small towns like Balaka now look like the African slums where it is impossible to live", said Fr. Gamba. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 10/11/2014)
