Malawi protests over food shortage, economic woes March 10
Some civil rights leaders in Malawi are organising to hold a protest march on March 10 to force the government release maize in Admarc depots for starving Malawians and improve the ailing economy that has skyrocketed the cost of living.
Billy Mayaya, one of the organisers of the peaceful march said it is a Republican Constitutional right for all Malawians, regardless of their standing in society to have access to food.
“We want to show the government that we are not satisfied with their explanations. People will continue dying of hunger and hunger related diseases,” he said.
Mayaya said the demonstrations which will start from Kamuzu Central Hospital roundabout to Parliament aims at compelling government to increase availability and access to maize as soon as possible.
Capital Radio on Tuesday carried a story which said malnutrition among children is on the rise and attributed this to scarcity of food as most households are unable to buy food due to its high costs triggered by the high inflation.
People`s Party vice president Kamlepo Kalua said he welcomed the peaceful protests but repeated his Masintha rally call for President Peter Mutharika to resign saying he is “clueless” on how to deal with the problems rocking the country.
He said the opposition has ready answers for the nation should they take over the leadership of the country.
Kalua said Mutharika has no plans to work with opposition political parties which he said is part of the solution to the problem.
Salima central legislator Felix Jumbe said the government should have plans for tobacco farmers whom he said have been hit hard by the economic problems because of the heavy plunge of the kwacha against the dollar.
Government spokesperson Jappie Mhango described the demonstrations as a waste of time saying government is already addressing the issue of food shortage in the country.
Nyasatimes does a good job of reporting the challenges faced by the country. The on-line publication also articulates the views of the opposition very well.
But the coverage does not provide responses from Government. This is unsatisfactory. For example, what is Govt’s response to the food distribution problem? Can we, please, have news of specific areas like what was done in Karonga.
I am not defending anybody; all I am looking for is balanced reporting so that readers are aware of both sides of a particular issue.
Kaya zanu izo. Ine kuno kwa a Kabudula dowe ndamuyamba. Ndipo tonse tagwirizana kuti 2019 Chakwera voti olo imodzi asadzaione chifukwa akuletsa nseu omwe Pitala akutimangira. Zimenezi ngakhale mafumu akudzidziwa chifukwa sizisiyana ndi ufiti. Tonse pamodzi ndi mafumu tagwirizana kuti mgalatiya ameneyu adzaidziwe Bangwe come 2019.
Mayaya ukunena zoona dziko landikanika. Naye saulosi ndimayesa amatha ntchito koma Nate zamuvuta. Airtel amkamuyendesela ndi amwenye aku India. Chakwela zandilandile udindo
All those opposing the demonstrations should know that holding peaceful demonstrations is a constitutionally guaranteed right. Secondly the Peter Mutharika DPP govt blundered by underestimating the maize required hence the scramble of maize at Admarc markets. It is the incompetence of the Executive arm of govt that has brought about the problem of shortage of maize.
a Mayaya, mavuto ali mdziko muno, sanabwele ndi Peter koma Joice pobetsa chuma chankhani nkhani, bwana wako Mayaya ndi Kamulepo. Iwe kabwila unakomela kuchoka ku CHACCO pano kuli ziii! maphuzilo akuyenda. Munthu oti chilichose chikhale cha NEGATIVE unabadwa bwabji? kunali anzako, Kalinde, Loveness Gondwe, Benison Linjenda ngakhalenso malemu Nga ntafu, amavuta ku Paliament koma lero kulibe samalani polankula tikukuonani kuno kumadela kwanu, osamalankhula zoti anthu azikutamani ayi chenjelani.
Some comments are DPP die hards masquerading as meager citizens here. Ingokhalani chete, akutumani ambuyani eti, matako anu!!!
Malawians don’t need to demonstrate but Malawians need revolution. I remember there was a protest before and what happened, did the government took steps I don’t think so. What we need in Malawi is revolution and force our present government to step down.
Mr.Mayaya ndikuvomereza zimene walemba vendor kuti ngati kungakhare ma demo achitike maboma onse not only ll as usaid.The whole Malawi kuli njala.Azingonyamuka kupita ku Thyolo mkulu uyu wativutisa.
but why only in LL. spread in all cities of Malawi. we are all hungry to get maize
a mayaya, muja munayambira ma demo chikusintha ndi chiyani? Osapeza china chochita bwanji,