Simusokwe accuses Former President Chakwera of turning Northern Region into a “Dumping Unit”

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Airtel Malawi

…..Human rights activist demands removal of wooden airport fencing poles and applauds Mutharika’s commitment to equitable national development…

MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-Human Rights Activist Steven Simusokwe has strongly condemned former President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera for what he describes as turning the Northern Region into a “dumping unit.”

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Simusokwe made the remarks in reaction to the use of wooden poles instead of metal fencing around Mzuzu and Karonga International Airports.

He argued that such decisions reflect a pattern of neglect and disrespect toward the North.

He has since asked the Second Vice President, Enock Kanzingeni Chihana, to immediately reverse the decision made under the former administration.

Simusokwe insists that all wooden poles must be removed without any negotiations.

He emphasized that infrastructure projects should reflect equal standards across all regions of the country.

Simusokwe has therefore called for inclusive and nationwide development that ensures no region or citizen is left behind.

He further stated that Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika is a man of impeccable character capable of delivering equitable development for all Malawians.

According to him, Mutharika’s leadership offers hope for a more united and prosperous nation.

Joining the call for unity and shared development projects was political figure Frank Tumpale Mwenefumbo.

Mwenefumbo echoed Simusokwe’s sentiments on the need for balanced development in the Northern Region.

He also thanked President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika for appointing Chihana as Second Vice President.

Mwenefumbo pledged his commitment to work with Chihana to advance development in the Northern Region.

He said the region deserves infrastructure and services that match national standards.

The calls from both Simusokwe and Mwenefumbo underscore renewed expectations for fairness in resource allocation and project implementation across the country.

Their statements come at a time when citizens are increasingly demanding accountability and regionally balanced development from national leadership.

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After 32 years behind bars, TRUTH FINALLY SETS Mary Virginia Jones free

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Airtel Malawi

….A single mother’s decades-long struggle exposes the devastating human cost of wrongful convictions in the American justice system….

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Mary Virginia Jones spent more than three decades in prison for crimes she did not commit.

She was a single mother living in Los Angeles when her life took a tragic turn in 1981.

Her then-abusive boyfriend implicated her in a robbery and first-degree murder, using her as a scapegoat in a desperate attempt to avoid a death sentence.

Despite her unwavering claims of innocence, she was sentenced to 25 years to life and sent to the Central California Women’s Facility.

Her conviction relied heavily on false testimony and manipulation, leaving her trapped in a system that failed to protect her.

For 32 painful years, she remained incarcerated, separated from her loved ones and forced to endure the consequences of a crime orchestrated by the man who abused her.

Throughout her imprisonment, Mary continued to insist that she had no role in the crime and had been coerced into compliance by fear and intimidation.

Her case remained largely unnoticed until it reached the attention of the Loyola Project for the Innocent, a legal team dedicated to correcting miscarriages of justice.

Attorneys at LPI launched a thorough investigation into her conviction, uncovering the lies, coercion, and prosecutorial oversights that had contributed to her wrongful imprisonment.

They argued passionately that her conviction represented a deep failure of the justice system.

Their findings eventually reached the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office, prompting a reconsideration of her case.

In 2013, the DA acknowledged the overwhelming evidence of her innocence and supported the request to overturn her conviction.

On the day of her release, Mary Virginia Jones walked out of prison at 74 years old, having spent 32 years, 7 months, and 23 days behind bars.

Her first steps into the outside world were emotional, overwhelming, and filled with disbelief.

She emerged into a society transformed by decades of technological and cultural change, a world far removed from the one she had known.

Her story quickly became a powerful example for advocates fighting against wrongful convictions and the deep-rooted flaws within the criminal justice system.

Mary’s case stands as a reminder of the necessity for continuous reform, compassion, and vigilance in protecting the vulnerable.

Her life, though scarred by injustice, continues to inspire movements demanding accountability and fairness.

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RSA operation Dudula, marches, challenge of unity among black communities

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Airtel Malawi

…..The arrival of 153 Palestinians highlights courage, solidarity, and the need for self-love within Black communities

PRETORIA-(MaraviPost)-South Africa’s operation Dudula, marches, and rallies organized by the Patriotic Alliance have drawn attention for targeting foreigners in various communities.

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Those who participate in chasing or intimidating foreigners, however, reveal a deeper fear rather than bravery.

It is noteworthy that none of these groups were present when 153 Palestinians entered the country without any official documents.

The Palestinians were allowed to seek asylum and were welcomed, demonstrating a humane and courageous response from the authorities.

This contrast exposes a troubling pattern: some Black communities often fail to show solidarity or protection for fellow Africans or other oppressed peoples.

It raises a broader question about internalized self-hate among Black populations, where distrust and animosity toward one another hinder collective progress.

Until Black communities learn to love and support each other genuinely, patterns of division, scapegoating, and injustice will likely continue.

The incident also underscores the importance of courage and moral leadership, qualities that go beyond nationalism or political posturing.

Welcoming vulnerable people, even when bureaucratic procedures are complex, is an act of humanity that some so-called defenders of the community fail to emulate.

Solidarity, empathy, and organized support are far more impactful than fear-driven demonstrations or xenophobic actions.

Ultimately, the arrival of the 153 Palestinians should serve as a lesson: bravery is not about chasing others away but about standing up for justice and showing compassion.

It calls for a cultural and social reflection, urging communities to prioritize unity, mutual respect, and genuine care for one another.

Black communities, in particular, must confront internal divisions and build a foundation of self-love to achieve meaningful collective progress.

Only through understanding, acceptance, and courage can we transform fear and animosity into strength and solidarity.

This moment serves as a reminder that change begins with how communities treat each other, especially in times of vulnerability and crisis.

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HRDC dismisses allegations of political bias, unveils new human rights protection initiative

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LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has dismissed circulating allegations suggesting that the organisation is working in collaboration with the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), describing the rumours as baseless and harmful to its reputation.

Speaking during a press briefing held in Lilongwe, HRDC Chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa emphasised that the coalition remains an independent watchdog whose mandate is to defend human rights without aligning itself with any ruling or opposition political party.

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Kaiyatsa expressed concern over claims that the HRDC is planning to stage violent protests aimed at undermining the newly elected Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration.

He clarified that the HRDC does not mobilise demonstrations arbitrarily or without legitimate grounds, and he stressed that the coalition follows due process whenever it calls for public action.

He further warned that the increasing spread of false information about the organisation—particularly on social media platforms—is not only damaging HRDC’s long-standing record but is also instilling fear among many of its members across the country.

According to Kaiyatsa, the misinformation appears to be a deliberate effort by certain groups to tarnish the coalition’s credibility and weaken public trust.

In response to the growing challenges faced by human rights defenders in Malawi, Kaiyatsa announced the launch of a new programme under HRDC aimed at providing protection and support for activists who experience threats, intimidation, or legal challenges in the course of their work. He explained that the initiative will offer assistance in areas such as personal security, legal aid, and advocacy, ensuring that defenders are not left vulnerable as they carry out their duties.

The HRDC leadership reaffirmed its commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and the protection of human rights for all Malawians, urging the public to disregard misleading narratives and continue engaging constructively in the country’s democratic processes.

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NAP chair Benedicto Kondowe dismisses MCP funding allegations as “fake”

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LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Civil society leader Benedicto Kondowe has dismissed as fake the circulating WhatsApp screenshots alleging that he received MK80 million from the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) to discredit President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and his administration.

The allegations, which spread widely on social media on Wednesday morning under the banner “#Exposed! Truth Finally Out!”, claim that Kondowe, who chairs the National Advocacy Platform (NAP) and the Civil Society Education Initiative Forum (CSEIF), had been secretly working with MCP strategists to undermine the DPP-led government.

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According to the viral posts, the funds were allegedly delivered through Information Minister Moses Kunkuyu, with Kondowe accused of planning to “hit the Mutharika administration hard” by writing negative reports to the United Nations.

In his response, Kondowe described the screenshots as “malicious fabrications meant to damage my reputation and mislead the public.”

He clarified that the posts circulating online were doctored and that he has never received any money from the ruling party.

He further clarified that the UN briefing mentioned in the posts did occur, but in October, and that it was not related to President Mutharika’s leadership or linked to politician Kamlepo Kalua, as alleged in the circulating messages.

“The combination of two unrelated issues is a clear distortion. The intention is to confuse the public and discredit genuine civil society work,” Kondowe said in a brief statement on Wednesday morning.

Kondowe, a prominent human rights advocate, added that he remains committed to defending good governance and accountability without partisan influence.

Meanwhile, the MCP has not officially commented on the alleged MK80 million payment, while government spokespersons have described the matter as “a test of integrity for civil society leadership.”

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Without Truth, There Can Be No Climate Justice—Experts

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Active Citizens, Artificial Intelligence, Civil Society, Climate Action, Climate Change Justice, Conferences, COP30, Editors’ Choice, Featured, Headlines, Human Rights, Sustainable Development Goals, TerraViva United Nations

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The fossil fuel industry has polluted our art, and now it’s polluting our information. So, we clearly say: stop the lies. —Brazilian political scientist Rayana Burgos

Climate misinformation experts Rayana Burgos (right) and Pierre Cannet (left) at COP30. Credit: Tanka Dhakal/IPS

Climate misinformation experts Rayana Burgos (right) and Pierre Cannet (left) at COP30. Credit: Tanka Dhakal/IPS

BELÉM, Brazil, Nov 12 2025 (IPS) – Concerned scientists at the UN climate conference in Belém are appealing for collective action to combat climate change-related misinformation and disinformation.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) sounded the alarm over the widespread dissemination of climate disinformation across multiple fronts, including social media and traditional media platforms, warning that it impacts public health, undermines democracy, and weakens the effectiveness of climate policies.

“Disinformation is everywhere. It’s sophisticated. It’s evolving rapidly,” said J. Timmons Roberts, Professor of Environmental Studies and Sociology at Brown University. “Structural power deploys disinformation to preserve the status quo. The fossil fuel industry spends about 10 times as much as the environmental and renewable energy sectors combined.”

Experts at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) climate information integrity press conference at COP30. Credit: Tanka Dhakal/IPS

Experts at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) climate information integrity press conference at COP30. Credit: Tanka Dhakal/IPS

Roberts, the Executive Director of the Climate Social Science Network, emphasized the need to understand the tactics, key actors, and the flow of power, money, and information to tackle climate disinformation.

“There’s a series of tactics that offer effective solutions to this disinformation—for example, appealing to conservative identities, to the identities of the people you’re speaking to, and using debunking and pre-bunking strategies,” he said. “You have to have the right messengers.”

In an open letter, a global coalition of scientists, civil society groups, Indigenous Peoples, and faith leaders called on policymakers to take immediate action to combat climate misinformation and uphold information integrity. They emphasized that both the UN and the World Economic Forum have identified climate change and disinformation as among the greatest threats to humanity.

“Governments need to see this [climate disinformation] as a kind of public safety issue,” said Ben Backwell, CEO of the Global Wind Energy Council. “This is not freedom of speech. This is the control of libraries and communications by very confident people.”

He stressed the importance of democratizing media and increasing independent journalism to counter a media ecosystem dominated by a wealthy few.

At a press conference on Tuesday—designated as the official thematic day on information integrity—experts warned that climate misinformation causes real-time harm and that major platforms, including Meta, X, and TikTok, are actively spreading misinformation, disinformation, or false information.

“Disinformation and misinformation are their business model,” said Pierre Cannet, Global Head of Public Affairs and Policy at ClientEarth. “This is why we are calling on countries to join this effort for information integrity—not just at the conference, but also back home—and to enforce laws that address misinformation and disinformation.”

Experts emphasized that collaboration across all levels of society is essential to overcoming coordinated misinformation campaigns, which are often driven by profit motives, particularly from the fossil fuel industry.

Rayana Burgos, a Brazilian political scientist at the Network of Terreiro Communities for the Environment, stated that without truth, there can be no climate justice or final action.

“The fossil fuel industry has polluted our art, and now it’s polluting our information. So, we clearly say: stop the lies, stop the delay,” she added. “We need to act together. Access to information is a human right.”

This feature is published with the support of Open Society Foundations.

IPS UN Bureau Report