In the most recent development surrounding the arrest of a gay couple in Malawi, the constitutional court rejected the couple's appeal to review their case. The verdict will be announced on March 22.

On Dec. 28, 2009, Steven Monjeza, 26, and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, 20, were arrested after conducting a public ceremony of their engagement in the city of Blantyre. Authorities charged them with "unnatural acts and gross indecency." Since then, they have been twice refused of bail. The couple is currently held separately in a maximum security prison and could face up to 14 years if convicted.

Local activist groups, as well as Amnesty International, have pleaded for the freedom of Monjeza and Chimbalanga. The Vancouver Sun reports that Amnesty International released a statement saying, "The arrest of the two men solely for their real or perceived sexual orientation amounts to discrimination and it is in violation of their rights to freedom of conscience, expression, and privacy." Yet despite support from various groups, the Malawi government remains firm in its stance.

Following the arrest, authorities have begun an anti-gay operation to arrest all high-profile gays in the country. Police department spokesperson, David Chingwalu, said investigators have discovered a network of well-known people involved in homosexual acts and that the police say, "we will arrest them all." Homosexuality is currently considered a crime in Malawi, as in the majority of countries in Africa. In fact, South Africa is the only country on the continent to have legalized gay marriage.

The Malawi couple's case has snowballed into more arrests in Africa, as well as controversial talks regarding laws against homosexuality. In early February, five men from Kenya were arrested on the beach after being suspected of being gay. Meanwhile, the Ugandan parliament is trying to pass a bill that will impose life imprisonment on any person convicted of engaging in gay sexual acts.

Leaders such as Barack Obama have spoken out against the proposed Ugandan law, describing it as "odious." However, as Monjeza and Chimbalanga await their verdict, it is clear that the acceptance of homosexuality in Malawi and other parts of the world would still need to come a long way.

- Words by Christal Gardiola, Media Committee Journalist