The Center for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has reignited a debate on the need for lawmakers to start using local languages in their deliberations in Parliament.

A recent call by CDEDI comes months after YONECO FM also aired a special report on the same in April this year which discussed to whose impact is English as a language of communication in the Chamber.

CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa said the organisation has observed with apprehension on how some parliamentarians scuffle to express themselves in English.

“We have noted with concern on how some MPs are struggling to express themselves in English.”

And yet the same people were trusted by their constituents to represent them in the national assembly,” wondered Namiwa.

Namiwa added that local languages are critical in providing eloquent discussions in the house and for the electorate to easily follow what is being discussed by the lawmakers on their behalf.

CDEDI is challenging Malawians to begin debating on the need for parliament to start using local languages in the national assembly.

“With the aid of translation for ease of meaningful deliberations in the house, and for the constituents to easily follow what is being discussed in parliament,” said Namiwa.

Reacting to the development, Professor Edrine Kayambazithu who is a Linguist at the Chancellor College said Malawians are the ones that are affected by communicating in English.

Professor Kayambazithu has however pushed the blame to the legislators as they are the ones who are mandated by law to make and pass such amendments.