House meeting deferred to Thursday

The National Assembly would not be meeting on Tuesday but sits from Thursday after the business committee failed to agree on agenda to be included on the order paper.

On Monday the House adjourned prematurely following disagreements between the opposition and government benches over business to be debated on in the House.

The opposition wanted the House to discuss the statement issued in the House last week by the Speaker Louis Chimango on Section 65, while the government preferred the House to start with question time.

When Business Committee met, they were in deadlock.

Meanwhile, civil society organization held discussions with both factions.

Chairman of Malawi Human Rights Consultative Committee, Undule Mwakasungula said the discussion indicated that both camps stood their grounds.

Mwakasungula said they have resorted to bring in key stakeholders as mediators in another round of talks.

"We need to give these peace talks a chance and as Civil Society/NGOs we are firmly behind the talks. We give the talks our support and solidarity," said Mwakasungula.

He however could not hint on who would be trusted in the mediation.

Last time there were political impasse, Mutharika shunned an international mediation in South Africa where opposition leaders were present.