Elections, page-6

Change of government - this could be good - could be bad - I very much favor the good.

There has been substantial expertise and finance from international community for Malawi to develop a well regulated mining industry over the past 10 years. Under the DPP - whilst things have progressed with numerous new departments - new mining cadastre system (European financed mineral air mapping, tenement mapping, etc) - entry into the EITIA a few years ago (brought about mainly by social justice groups although Muthy had to sign off on it at the very end) - a new "mines and minerals bill" now implemented (which took 5 years and Muthy took over 1 year to sign off on) - Change of mines minister on average every 18 months - at the end of the day nothing has translated on the ground for any serious developments. Many, many companies hamstrung to progress their assets.
I'm aware Malawi is not alone in this situation - happens for sure elsewhere. But in my experience in Malawi there has been little ambition from govt to seriously develop anything (or to even stop illegal mining - as they are now alluvial mining on the SVM gold lease) - preferring to receive anything available from international community - yet not willing to issue mining licenses or development agreements with exception to a few smaller mine investments that most likely made suitable side kickbacks.

Anyway I see this as good - nothing was actually happening before so hopefully change can bring about change (not just mining).

Muthy rigged two elections - the first saw ballot papers conveniently destroyed by a mysterious fire straight after the election that showed him the winner by a small margin and of course the corruption with DPP and Malawi Election Commission that has seen the MEC all but gone and now Muthy. Fair dinkum old man - professor my @&#5 - give it away - you have promised so much and delivered little. Corruption in and under you is worse than ever that foreign aide has been withdrawn by many - albino killings continue - no uni's you promised - no hospitals - arrggh don't bother.