[Continued from HERE.]

There is plenty of irony in the central complaint that Madonna used her influence to expedite the process and waive requirements. I can attest to the fact that “rule bending” is an art form in Malawi. It permeates just about every fiber of life on some level or another, INCLUDING adoption prior to the M Fray. “Rule bending” can be required to get the proper medical care, to have a driver’s license or a passport, to vote, to get out of prison even if one has not done anything illegal, and even to get a seat on transportation from point A to point B.

You may be thinking, “Just because it happens all the time doesn’t make it right.” In principle, I agree, but I know from experience that sometimes so-called “rule bending” is simply part of the system and to try to function without it is impossible in some places. Working the system, “rule bending,” can be corrupt: it can also be the human edge of all-purpose (and in the case of Malawi, superimposed) laws that cannot possibly suit every situation.

Here’s a thought, though: in America, if one wants to contest or get exemption from some law for some reason, what they do is go to the Supreme Court, right? Well, then, isn’t that what Madonna did? If the High Court of Malawi decided to grant her exemption from staying in Malawi for the probationary 18 months, why is this “rule bending” or using her influence? Was she not following the official system in Malawi, going through the proper channels? Has there been any accusation of foul-play, bribery, coercion, explicit favours? Nope. Just due process, Malawian style.

So again I ask: where are the “rule of law” experts and the corruption hawks if the integrity of the court’s decision is questionable? Why use the M Fray as a forum rather than other cases? I knew of two different missionary couples that had adopted babies while I was there. Both couples had been in Malawi for less than a year but adoptions were approved anyway. Why not make an example of them, as there are plenty more missionaries than mega-stars adopting in Malawi?

[Next blog: More contradictions and context]