Metro

Malawian religious leaders stage protest against same-sex marriage

Published

1 year ago

July 14, 2023

Malawian religious leaders from both the Christian and Islamic faiths Thursday staged street protests against same-sex marriage in the country after a Dutch citizen and a transgender Malawian challenged the country’s laws against same-sex relations in a high court.

The protests, which were held in major streets in Malawi’s commercial capital, Blantyre, saw hundreds of people warning the authorities against succumbing to the temptation of legalising same-sex marriage in the country.

The protesters also presented a petition to the office of the district commissioner in which they appealed to lawmakers never to accept any bill or pass any law aimed at legalizing same-sex marriage.

Homosexuality is an offence in Malawi and is punishable by a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.

One of the leaders of the protest, Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa, who spoke to journalists, said, “same-sex marriages are a sin, and allowing such unions would lead to the extinction of the human race.

“If we change the way we live as a family, it means we will cease to exist. If we continue to marry a man with a man, surely the offspring, no children will come, then no life in the world, no life in Malawi”.

Local media reports that the nationwide protests are coming as the Constitutional Court continues to hear a case in which Dutch national, Jan Willem Akstar and transgender Malawian woman, Jana Gonani instituted a suit arguing that Malawi’s anti-homosexuality laws violate their fundamental rights, including privacy and dignity.

Over the years, civil society organizations have voiced their concerns about discrimination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) individuals in the country.

Michael Kaiyatsa, an executive director of the Center for Human Rights and Rehabilitation, while addressing a press conference, said religious leaders had a right to hold demonstrations about anything they felt was a sin, but they should also consider the rights of other groups.

“Our concern as human rights organizations is that this will have negative implications not only on the rights of LGBT persons, but it will also have negative implications on efforts to fight HIV.

“Because, what it will do is to roll back the gains that we have made on HIV among men who have sex with men, for example,” Kaiyatsa said.

Related Topics:Featured Homosexuality Malawi Protests Religious Leaders Same Sex Marriage

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Metro

World Bank pledges $3b to support Zambia’s development goals

Published

11 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The World Bank Group has pledged to avail Zambia with approximately $3 billion to support the country’s development goals under the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2025-2029, with nearly half of the funds already disbursed.

World Bank Country Manager, Achim Fock, who made this known at the CPF launch at the Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka on Wednesday, outlined the global lender’s focus areas, which included enhancing jobs, human capital, and climate resilience.

Fock highlighted that $200 million had been approved to strengthen Zambia’s social protection programs, including the Refugee and Host Community Project.

He also expressed optimism for upcoming approvals, including the Climate and Economic Resilience Financing and the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector.

Zambia’s Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, who also spoke at the event, noted that 2.3 million Zambian households have so far benefited from social protection interventions such as the Cash for Work Programme, emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives amid crises like the recent drought.

Musokotwane further reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting lives during times of crises such as the recent drought.

“More than two thirds of the Zambian population was affected by the drought. It was the government’s view that the first priority was to save lives,” Musokotwane stated.

Metro

Chinese mining giant CNMC set for $1.6 billion investment in Zambia

Published

1 day ago

November 13, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A Chinese mining giant, China Nonferrous Metal Mining Company (CNMC), has announced the investment of over $1.6 billion in Zambia, following successful discussions with President Hakainde Hichilema at the State House on Tuesday.

CNMC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Wen Gang, who held the discussions with Hichilema along with the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, Han Jing, confirmed the company’s commitment to furthering Zambia’s economic development.

“We are actively investing in critical sectors of Zambia’s economy,” Gang said after the meeting.

He noted that CNMC was currently pumping water from Shaft 28 at Luanshya Copper Mine, where 29.9 million cubic liters have been cleared as part of intensified dewatering efforts, adding that the company plans to inject an additional $200 million to develop a greenfield mine on the Copperbelt.

President Hichilema who welcomed CNMC’s commitment, highlighted the potential economic impact of the firm’s investment which will include job opportunities for Zambians.

“This $1.6billion investment, alongside advanced technology and expansion, will extend operations and create more jobs and opportunities for Zambians, especially in mining contracting and supply,” the President said.

He also expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government for their shared commitment to fostering growth and cooperation between the two countries.