Malawi's justice minister says use of vernacular languages in parliament would require constitutional amendment

Malawi’s Minister of Justice, Charles Mhango, has told Parliament that MPs cannot debate in local languages unless the Constitution itself is amended first. Mhango was responding to a proposal from Rumphi West MP Yona Mkandawire, who had suggested allowing MPs to speak in vernacular languages during parliamentary proceedings. The minister pointed to Section 51(1)(b) of the Constitution, which requires every MP to be able to read and speak English in order to qualify for election and participate in parliamentary business. He said any attempt to amend Standing Order 86 alone, without first changing the Constitution, would be unconstitutional, as standing orders must remain consistent with the country’s supreme law.
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