Bamusi warns PAC indaba against resignation calls, ultimatums for Malawi President

Presidential advisor on civil society has warned delegates to the Public Affairs Committee (PAC) indaba which starts Wednesday to desist from calling on President Peter Mutharika to resign or giving him ultimatums.

The presidential aide, Mabvuto Bamusi said instead, urged the delegates to discuss issues with sober minds in order to come up with resolutions that can make Malawi move forward.

“We should have collective responsibility for the problems affecting our country. Calling upon the president to resign or giving him unnecessary ultimatums is not the way to go,” he said.

He said the government has high respect for PAC, saying this is why senior cabinet ministers would be attending the meeting in Blantyre.

“This tendency of finger pointing is not helpful,” said Bamusi, saying the government is ready to listen to all resolutions made at the conference and if possible offer solutions.

Delegates are expected to discuss the political landscape, the economy and food scarcity that has hit the nation.

“Delegates to the meeting should also be able to listen to the government, to listen to the steps the government is taking to address the problems,” Bamusi said.

PAC spokesperson Father Peter Mlomole faulted Bamusi, saying he was putting words in delegates’ mouths.

“No one has said the President should resign, no one has issued ultimatums, where did the delegates say this? Let the meeting run its course,” said Mlomole.

Mlomole said all the delegates are Malawians and the government should let them discuss issues freely

. On reports that some civil society groups are allegedly up against the meeting, Mlomole said they are exercising their freedom to disagree with PAC saying that is normal in democracy.

A  grouping of 30 Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)  – mostly been deemed pro-Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government  -under the banner of Civil Society Platform for Constructive Dialogue (CSP-CD) accused PAC of being against government but providing no solutions to the country’s socio-political environment.

Mulomole said PAC does not serve individual interests but serve the public.