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Malawi accuses Madonna of exaggerating humanitarian efforts Malawi accuses Madonna of exaggerating humanitarian efforts
(about 5 hours later)
Malawi has launched a scathing attack on Madonna, accusing her of exaggerating her contributions to the southern African country and demanding special treatment during her trip last week. The president of Malawi has accused Madonna of demanding VIP treatment, exaggerating her charity work and being "a musician who desperately thinks she must generate recognition by bullying state officials instead of playing decent music on the stage".
The pop star denied the accusations. Her spokesman suggested the claims were prompted by the recent removal of the president's sister as head of Madonna's humanitarian organisation there. Joyce Banda's office issued an extraordinary statement saying the singer "thinks she deserves to be revered with state grandeur" and needs to learn "the decency of telling the truth".
The singer has a long history with the country, which she first visited in 2006. She adopted two Malawian children and runs several projects there. Madonnaaccused Banda of lying, and her spokeswoman suggested the claims were linked to the removal of the president's sister as head of Madonna's humanitarian organisation in Malawi.
She was granted VIP treatment during previous visits, including when she last jetted into the country on 1 April. But Madonna apparently was surprised when she learned upon leaving that she and her travelling party would have to queue with other passengers and be frisked by airport security. The war of words is a disaster for Madonna's complicated relationship with Malawi, which she first visited in 2006. She adopted two Malawian children and runs several projects but was bitterly criticised after abandoning plans to build a $15m elite academy for girls.
"There was a directive that Miss Louise Ciccone, travelling on an American passport, and her children Lourdes Maria Ciccone Leon, Rocco Ritchie, Mercy James, David Banda Ciccone Ritchie should use the ordinary passenger terminal on their way to their jet," said an aviation official who asked to remain anonymous because he is not authorised to speak to the media. She became accustomed to VIP status on previous trips, including when she arrived there last week, but received a rude awakening when she learned upon leaving that she and her travelling party would have to queue with other passengers and be frisked by airport security.
A strongly worded statement by the president's office accused Madonna of trying to use her fame and money to force Malawi into giving her special treatment. "Granted, Madonna is a famed international musician. But that does not impose an injunction of obligation on any government under whose territory Madonna finds herself, including Malawi, to give her state treatment. Such treatment, even if she deserved it, is discretionary, not obligatory," the statement said. "There was a directive that Miss Louise Ciccone, travelling on an American passport, and her children Lourdes Maria Ciccone Leon, Rocco Ritchie, Mercy James, David Banda Ciccone Ritchie should use the ordinary passenger terminal on their way to their jet," an aviation official, who did not wish to be named, told the Associated Press.
The statement also questioned the motives behind her humanitarian efforts in Malawi, alleging that the singer "wants Malawi to be forever chained to the obligation of gratitude". A withering statement from Banda's office condemned Madonna for trying to use her celebrity to compel Malawi to give her special treatment. "Granted, Madonna is a famed international musician," it said. "But that does not impose an injunction of obligation on any government under whose territory Madonna finds herself, including Malawi, to give her state treatment. Such treatment, even if she deserved it, is discretionary, not obligatory."
"Kindness, as far as its ordinary meaning is concerned, is free and anonymous. If it can't be free and silent, it is not kindness; it is something else. Blackmail is the closest it becomes," the statement said. It added: "Among the many things that Madonna needs to learn as a matter of urgency is the decency of telling the truth. For her to tell the whole world that she is building schools in Malawi when she has actually only contributed to the construction of classrooms is not compatible with manners of someone who thinks she deserves to be revered with state grandeur."
President Joyce Banda was reportedly angered by Madonna's claims that she has built 10 schools in Malawi, and questioned that statement in widely quoted remarks last week. "Where are the 10 schools she has built? She is just building school blocks at already existing schools. In some cases she just renovated an already existing block. This is an insult to the people of Malawi. She can't be lying to the world at our expense," Banda said. With an unorthodox turn of phrase, the statement said Malawi had played host to other international stars including Chuck Norris, Bono and the footballers David James, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville, "who have never demanded state attention or decorum despite their equally dazzling stature".
Madonna said he was "saddened" that Banda "has chosen to release lies about what we've accomplished, my intentions, how I personally conducted myself while visiting Malawi and other untruths. I have no intentions of being distracted by these ridiculous allegations. The presidency questioned the motives behind Madonna's humanitarian efforts, alleging that she "wants Malawi to be forever chained to the obligation of gratitude".
"I came to Malawi seven years ago with honourable intentions. I returned earlier this month to view the new schools we built. I did not ever ask or demand special treatment at the airport or elsewhere during my visit. I will not be distracted or discouraged by other people's political agendas. I made a promise to the children of Malawi and I am keeping that promise." It continued: "Kindness, as far as its ordinary meaning is concerned, is free and anonymous. If it can't be free and silent, it is not kindness; it is something else. Blackmail is the closest it becomes."
A spokesman for Madonna expressed surprise at the criticism and said the claim that the singer had requested special treatment was "nonsense". Banda was reportedly angered by Madonna's claims that she had built 10 schools in Malawi, and questioned that statement in widely quoted remarks last week. "Where are the 10 schools she has built?" Banda said. "She is just building school blocks at already existing schools. In some cases she just renovated an already existing block. This is an insult to the people of Malawi. She can't be lying to the world at our expense."
"Obviously these attacks are influenced by the fact that the president's sister was removed as the head of Madonna's organisation in Malawi due to concerns about mismanagement of $3.8m," said Trevor Neilson, whose Global Philanthropy Group is managing Madonna's projects in Malawi. Madonna refused to take the criticism lying down. She said she was saddened that Banda "has chosen to release lies about what we've accomplished, my intentions, how I personally conducted myself while visiting Malawi and other untruths. I have no intentions of being distracted by these ridiculous allegations."
"As the largest private philanthropist to Malawi we would think the government would be pleased that she is giving her time and money to one of the poorest countries in the world," Neilson added. She continued: "I came to Malawi seven years ago with honourable intentions. I returned earlier this month to view the new schools we built. I did not ever ask or demand special treatment at the airport or elsewhere during my visit. I will not be distracted or discouraged by other people's political agendas. I made a promise to the children of Malawi and I am keeping that promise."
The statement from the president's office dismissed the claim that Banda was angry because her younger sister, Anjimile Mtila-Oponyo, was fired as the chief executive for Madonna's charity, Raising Malawi. A spokeswoman for Madonna expressed surprise at the criticism and said the claim that the singer had requested special treatment was nonsense. She noted that Banda's younger sister, Anjimile Mtila-Oponyo, was sacked as the chief executive of Madonna's charity, Raising Malawi.
It said Malawi has played host to other international stars including Chuck Norris, Bono, and footballers David James, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville "who have never demanded state attention or decorum despite their equally dazzling stature". "Due to major organisational problems that occurred during that time, the original team was disbanded," the spokeswoman said. "President Banda has since appointed her sister to a senior post within the ministry of education.
However, Madonna insisted her work in Malawi would continue. "My reasons for being here have never changed, I am here because I care deeply about the children of Malawi, that is my main priority," she said at the end of her trip last week. "Madonna's decision to change course on her education projects has subsequently been met by deep resistance from Oponyo, the president and the ministry of education. But Madonna is not letting politics stand in the way of her deep commitment to help build schools there and educate as many children as possible."
Trevor Neilson, whose Global Philanthropy Group is managing Madonna's projects in Malawi, alleged that Banda "appears to be using her office to pursue the financial interests of her sister, Anjimile Oponyo".
He said Oponyo was in charge of the failed Madonna's school project "when $3.8m (£2.47m) was spent without ever breaking ground. It is unclear what happened to that money, but Oponyo was in charge of the project when the money disappeared."
Neilson said when Oponyo was removed from her position and the project was terminated, she issued "a series of wild demands and threats. Initially she demanded $450,000, then $380,000, and she is currently suing Raising Malawi."
He alleged that when Oponyo was appointed by Banda as a principal secretary responsible for primary school education, she began to use that office to "pursue her grudge" against Raising Malawi.
"Madonna is the largest individual philanthropist in Malawi and we are a bit surprised that the president is using her office to pursue her sister's financial interests."
Oponyo herself said she has no comment to make on the issue and she does not want to be seen as "fighting Madonna," Neilson said.
The statement from the president's office dismissed the claim that Banda was angry because her sister was sacked by Raising Malawi.
On Thursday some Malawians expressed support for the US singer and condemned the government's stand. Moses Mkandawire, director of a church rights group, said: "Madonna is a famous personality in the world and, through her adoption of two children and sponsoring various projects, little-known Malawi gets to be known. Madonna remains is a darling in Malawi."
He said the conflict with the government over the abortive girls academy project was due to a misunderstanding. "There was no proper communication between her and the government. There was even no proper communication about her recent visit. The government was not aware what she came to do.
"The government was also concerned that she went about telling the world that she had build 10 schools, while the truth is that she had built school blocks on already existing government premises."
Billy Mayaya, an independent rights activist, says Banda's outburst was uncalled for. "We ought to encourage more of the Madonnas to come here and help develop the welfare of our children," he said.
Esme Chepole, a vendor from Ndirande township in Blantyre, said Madonna remained "my heroine for adopting those two children. We have thousands of orphans in this country, and I don't see much help going towards helping these poor souls. We need more kind-hearted people like Madonna to come to Malawi to help us."
The government of the late president Bingu wa Mutharika still stands accused of bending towards letting Madonna use her wealth and power status to fast-track the adoption process of her two children David Banda and Mercy James.
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