The Center for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) and the Lost History Foundation have this morning petitioned Parliament to start conducting its deliberations in local languages, particularly Chichewa.

Led by CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa, the group was received at the Parliament gates in Lilongwe by Zomba City North legislator, Bester Awali, who pledged to deliver the petition to the Speaker’s office.

In the petition, the organizations urge Members of Parliament to formulate Standing Orders under Chapter VI, Section 56(5) of the Constitution to allow the use of indigenous and sign languages—alongside English—supported by translation facilities.

The petition reads in part:

“Thus far, the undersigned petitioners therefore pray that the Members Assembled should formulate Parliamentary Standing Orders... to promote, preserve, and celebrate Malawi’s linguistic and cultural diversity.”

Speaking after presenting the petition, Namiwa questioned why Parliament continues to use a foreign language 61 years after independence, calling the practice discriminatory against many Malawians.

“When they are deliberating in English, who do they want to please?” Namiwa asked, urging lawmakers to act on the petition during the current sitting.

Awali expressed support for the move, saying the use of indigenous languages in the August House would make parliamentary business more inclusive and accessible to ordinary Malawians.

“The petition has come at the right time when Parliament wants to engage more closely with the people it serves. I will deliver it to the Speaker so that we can deliberate on it soon,” said Awali.

Just over 20 people joined CDEDI and the Lost History Foundation in presenting the petition.