We are all captured, not only activists!

Last week, I was going through Ollen Mwalubunju’s interview in the Weekend Nation, which raised an important question about the state of activism, civil society and democratic accountability in Malawi. His argument in the article titled “Civil activists are captured, betraying Malawians” is difficult to ignore.

I agree with Ollen’s concerns, but I would go further and say that it is not only activists who may be seen as captured. In some ways, we all seem to be captured. This concern should, therefore, go beyond civil society organisations. It should cut across political parties, religious and traditional leaders, professionals, the media and even ordinary citizens.

Look at how politicians have captured some citizens to the extent that they are treated like semi-gods. Some people defend their political leaders without wisdom, simply out of political loyalty. This is dangerous for democracy because it weakens our ability to question duty-bearers, demand accountability from them and put the interests of the country above political personalities.

It is no secret that in a healthy democracy, CSOs are expected to provide checks and balances. They speak for citizens who have no voice, question government decisions, expose corruption and wrongdoing, and offer practical solutions. Opposition political parties have a similar responsibility. They should not simply wait for elections to come. The opposition must continuously provide alternative ideas, scrutinise government and help ensure that those in power remain accountable to the people who put them there through their votes.

But looking at what is happening, one cannot help but wonder: where is our once-vibrant civil society?

To be fair, we have seen some CSOs and activists standing out for noble causes. Some have boldly raised issues, taken government to task and proposed solutions to our national challenges. Their work must be recognised. However, more effort is needed to hold government accountable. The Amaryllis Hotel probe and the recent National Oil Company of Malawi (Nocma) issues are clear reminders that CSOs and so-called activists must not slumber.

We cannot deny that a strong opposition and a vibrant civil society help government perform to people’s expectations. These institutions do not exist simply to oppose government. Their role is to challenge it to perform better. A government that is constantly questioned is more likely to remain alert and accountable.

The situation in the opposition is also worrying. It is unfortunate to hear political leaders already talking about who will stand in 2030 when the current government is only about a year into its term. This gives the impression that the opposition is more focused on the next election than on the challenges Malawians are facing today.

The opposition has a constitutional and democratic responsibility to provide checks and balances now, not when we are close to the next election. Malawi needs an opposition that can not only say, “This is wrong and out of order,” but also say, “here is how it could be done better”.

We must also ask: Where are the faith leaders and other respected voices? Where is the Public Affairs Committee (PAC)? Where are the usually vocal synods? Have they also been compromised or become too cautious to speak the truth and stand for social justice?

On this, we cannot forget the days of an uncompromising PAC, the boldness of the late Bishop Joseph Mukasa Zuza, Reverend Levie Nyondo, Reverend Billy Gama and Father Boniface Tamani, just to mention a few, who stood up without compromise.

Their voices carried weight because they were not afraid to confront the system and leaders on national issues.

Therefore, we should not blame activists alone, but the whole nation.

Perhaps, nobody has betrayed Malawi more than ourselves by failing to demand accountability from our leaders. We have become too comfortable, too political and, in some cases, too tolerant of corruption.

The message is simple: If civil society sleeps, if the opposition sleeps, if PAC sleeps and if citizens sleep, government will continue to be on honeymoon and face little pressure to wake up. Democracy does not survive on elections alone. It survives when citizens remain awake and bold enough to demand accountability every day.

Malawi is not captured because activists have been captured. We have been captured because all of us have stopped asking bold questions.

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