Chilima, Chakwera join Malawi mass protests challenging Mutharika’s legitimacy: ‘Kuti Tisaope!’

June 20, 2019 Wongani Chiuta - Nyasa Times 69 Comments

Malawi’s major opposition leaders who participated in the last month’s presidential race and they are disputing them results in court on Thursday came together to lead anti-government protests held across the country.

Demonstrations over fraudulent elections target Malawian president Peter Mutharika and Malawi Electoral Commission chair Jane Ansah
Protests have seen calls for MEC chairwoman Jane Ansah to step down.

 

Chilima and Chakwera in the streets: If courts will not order re-run, elections are not due again in Malawi until 2024, and Mutharika is barred from seeking a third term.
Malawi must find a peaceful solution to the electoral impasse
Led by human rights activists, protestors also complain of autocratic kleptocracy
The tension won’t die down
Demonstrators pull down President Mutharika’s banner at Mount Soche Hotel in Blantyre
A protestor carrying his banner
Some of the protestors
One of the banners read: Muthatrika must fall, Jane Ansah must resign

The marches, organised by civil action groups, started peacefully in the four major cities of the country as thousands of Malawians are protesting results of the May 21 Presidential elections which declared President Peter Mutharika winner and want to force Jane Ansah and all Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) commissioners resign.

President Mutharika was sworn in for a second term in Malawi late last month, but opposition protesters are challenging the legitimacy of his recent re-election, based on widespread allegations of vote-rigging.

UTM Party president Saulos Chilima – immediate past State vice president – boosted the morale of the marchers when he joined them in Lilongwe before Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president and leader of opposition Lazarus Chakwera joined and walked together in the frontline.

Clad in red golf shirt and camouflage trousers, Chilima urged the protesters to be peaceful but said this was the right to demonstrate against the manipulation of the presidential election in favour of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Mutharika.

In an interview with Nyasa Times, social and governance commentator Makhumbo Munthali said while the demonstrations might be against MEC Chairperson Jane Ansah to resign, it is important not to miss the bigger message being sent by the large crowds that have attended these demonstrations.

“ The bigger message being sent is that the majority of Malawians do  not want President Mutharika to be there leader, and this is partly expressed by the MEC results which showed that at least 62% rejected him,” he said,

“In the absence of 50%+1 electoral system, President Mutharika’s legitimacy will continue to be challenged,” added the governance expert.

In Lilongwe, among others who joined included UTM publicist Joseph Chidanti Malunga, MCP director of youth Richard Chimwendo Banda as well as First Gentleman Richard Banda and other party officials from both UTM and MCP as well as Peoples Party.

In Blantyre, UTM director of youth Bon Kalindo joined the protesters together with UTM secretary general Patricia Kaliati and other civil rights activists on the march.

However, the demonstration were getting out of hand as protestors pulled down President Mutharika’s banner at Mount Soche Hotel in Blantyre.

Police fired teargas to the protestors but they were not relenting.

Whilst in Zomba, Public Affairs Committee publicity secretary Reverend Father Peter Mulomole was with the protesters.

In Mzuzu, CCAP Livingstonia synod general secretary Rev Levi Nyondo as well as other activists was marching against the presidential poll results.

Some members of Mutharika’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) had threatened to disrupt the protests, but the event passed off without clashes.

This comes after Malawi police fired teargas on  Wednesday to disperse protestors blocking the M1 main route into Lilongwe as President Mutharika was due to enter the capital from  the Southern Region.

In the end, the president entered Lilongwe by a different route.

There is very tight security in all the major cities as the protests are progressing well.

A panel of five judges will rule Friday whether or not to dismiss the election case, as requested by lawyers for Mutharika and his DPP.

Malawi is one of the world’s poorest and most aid-dependent countries.

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69 replies on “Chilima, Chakwera join Malawi mass protests challenging Mutharika’s legitimacy: ‘Kuti Tisaope!’”

  1. Dzulo amalawi alankhula okha ,koma lero ngati sizigwirabe mtima tipita konko eish Malawi ndiwathuyu therefore we have no any other place to stay peacefully

  3. yes mwagenda koma a mabungwe kuli zii, if it was police shooting a demontrator bwenzi kuli nkhani, a mkamanga kuli zii, zodiak kuli zii, times kuli osanenapo kanthu akuti these werw peaceful demonttrations my foot, nanga lero poti ku khoti muluza ndiye u wil kill peopletu, a thindwa is ok to pull down bill board for a president and then u said the police provoked the demontrators? a hamprey mvula u are the who destroyed utm company timango we just lilisten mukatokota mmawayilesimu suja mumatenga ndalama za kampani ndaku pereka kwa mkulu wina wache inu loro mufuna mukhale angelo?

  4. Pakati pa kukhala VP wa dziko kapena kukhala president wa chipani cha ma MP 4 ine ndingasankhe u VP. Pepa Pumbwa.

  5. Heads up – Group la DPP ayamba kale kutumizilana ma message kuti mawa agamula kuti kulibe mulandu. Akuti there is nothing that can overturn their victory. The judges are already compromised it seems. Please don’t allow them to let Malawians down. Like this I do not see people voting in 2024, we might as well just accept that DPP and the Lomwes will rule Malawi forever. A revolution is the only way to defeat this criminal regime, believe me.

  6. The mother of all demonstrations. The people have spoken so loudly. Let those who have ears hear and act with full conformity..

  7. I am sure Chilima remembers this moment back in 2014 popping Champaign on the other side of the fence! Zosiyirana izi!!

  9. This election was definitely not Malawian. A third force is looming behind the scenes. Its neither DPP nor MEC. All current pointers point to an election choreographed in Zimbabwe. Just before the elections Zimbabwean President Mnangagwa cancels a state visit to Zimbabwe and during the pompless inauguration of APM Zimbabwe’s ailing Vice President Chiwengwa was supposed to be the only known guest. In the 2009 election DPP had to rope in the Zimbabwean dreaded Intelligence officials operating from the Zimbabwe Embassy Buildings in Presidential Way kuCity Centre whilst other operatives were planted within MEC operations. The results are there for all to see late Bingu wa Mutharika won with a landslide victory making a clean sweep in even the Central Region which is MCPs stronghold. Peter Mutharika just followed in the footsteps of his late brother and still used the same modus operandi and stealing the elections right in the face of the opposition in gross and blantant complicity of Jane Ansah and MEC. MEC Commissioners like retired Rev Mgawi of Nkhoma Synod are known stooges and apologists of DPP no wonder they chose to look the other way while the election was being stolen. Malawians have every reason to be cross and they have every reason to vent their anger until we see the back of these criminals. The judiciary has a responsibility to once again bring back sanity and the confidence of Malawians in electoral democracy otherwise DPP isawothele ndipangono komwe. If it means demo week in week out so be it until they go. I absolutely am not forgiving on this stance, Malawi is the only country we have not England, not South Africa, not USA, not Kuwait or any diasporic sojourn by Malawians in pursuit of greener pastures. We all belong here and here we should make things right for ourselves and noone else. Aluta continua!

  10. Today is gone tione mawa tsopno, tikayatse khothi akaka yelekeza kulankhula zopepela, we can’t be forced to be ruled by someone who made himself president by bribing an honorable ladymai Jane Ansa? We will fight to the End

  11. We could not see these protests had it been the elections were ran smoothly. All this its because of that idiot called Ansah and her fellow commissioners who connived with DPP against the will of Malawians.

  12. Peter samanama kuti azakunyenyaninyenyani lero ndi izi mmalo mokhala ku State House mwakhala completely reduced to mere NGOs fighting for the freedom you had at Airtel and Assemblies.Mwangoyambapo politics ndi nyansi musova simunati it reduces an integrity person to a toddler.

  13. Koma APM waonjeza mpaka no action against these disgruntled untrustworthy opposition people.

  14. Ndipo atatha kuyendako wina anabwerera kunyumba adakali lova wina adakali mtsogoleri wotsutsa boma…nkhani ndi zomwezi

  16. Shame baby Chilima and gule pastor Chakwera.Mulira simunati and nkhaniyi simuyiwina olo anthu atavotanso chanu palibe.2024 am DPP new presidential face on the ballot.Tikumana& ineyo sindizaupeza ngati Peter nonsenu muzalowa Exile.Take it or leave it,love it or hate it!

  17. Mukamati 62 % of Malawians ,what do you mean .Was utm and Mcp together during the polls ,just accept kuti mumanamiza anthu kuti muwina lero simunawine ndiye muzitinyasapo apa .Chakwera knows well kuti his time as ended in Mcp unless something happens .While chilima is crying because of hasty decisions ,umuwona ngati politcs is about telling lies all the way .The real life for Chilima has started and survival is very minimal ,2024 ndikutali and the pomp that you had towards 21 may ,will be reduced in 2024 .Remember in politics one day equals 1 million years.

  18. God is always wonderful! May His name be praised. Malawians will agree with me that we were blind about these two idiots (Chakwera and Chilima). We thought Chakwera is a man of God but alas! that was total misinterpretation of him. Again, we thought Chilima is a gentleman that wanted to change the lives of Malawians but nay, he just wanted to come in to enrich himself with his concubines. God has strengthened the lives of these two idiots the same way He did with king Pharaoh of Egypt. In the end these two will be swept by large waters the same way it was done with Egyptians that time. Keep on chasing us, it will reach a point when you will be punished to hell and you will regret after all your monies, efforts and the so called wisdom is gone from you. I am sure you will come to agree with my words. Just wait and see.

  20. 50+1 ,Electrol Reforms ….Independent Electoral Commission, Independent ACB,FIU palibe Ikuchita Amwenye akupitisabe Ndalama wathu Kunja…Access to Information ….NOW !!

  21. Malawians can not be taken for granted 4eve. pipo r tired with nyapapi ndi chipani chake. For Malawi to rise munthalika must fall

  22. Chimulilenji umupalire Dingiswayo Madise namunyake Ivy Nyakamanga namachero kugamula vya hona cha! Tikumba mbuzi ziwiri ( Dr Madando SC and JA and Prof. of Tippex) izi zifumepo zanjira muchiwaya kwendera pawindo.

  23. Nthawi yogwirizana inali nthawi ya campaign to earn votes apumbwa inu. This is too little too late. Governments are changed through the ballot not on the streets.

  24. Koma munthu sayamikadi ndithu, a Chilima inuyo Muthalika anakukonzerani tsogolo lanu lero muli patsogolo kupanga izi? Ayi mulungu siJames.
    All what I can say is the opposition can not usurp the presidency without a vote and remember that our voting pattern is regional. With what vocal MCP & UTM supporters are doing Muthalika will have a lot of sympathy votes from ordinary Malawians in case of rerun.
    Mr President just go and stay at Sanjika in BT, a nice city in terms of weather. Kamuzu & Bakili used to stay in BT and things were running perfectly. Even if the court rules in your favour stay in BT to show these people that the presidency can operate without Lilongwe because the way I see it these people will not relent even if the court rule in your favour. Koma once court rule in your favour and they continue doing these demos zaathireni machaka basi. Malemu Bingu sanakanyengerera izi, no way. You were declared a winner by MEC, sworn in by the Judiciary and inaugurated by MDF and Malawi Police so you are constitutionary the legitimate President of Republic of Malawi!

  25. Peter laissez faire kind of leadership not good for Malawi. Am sure he is crying in his bed instead of facing opposition head on. He is a weak leader ; no not a leader at all chifukwa tilikudziwa who is pulling the strings koma akupweteketsa chifukwa those people do not understand what Malawians need except to trick you so you drop them sacks of money. Believe you me the future generation not long shall tippex your legacy in all books if your will is only to listen to riddles from your inner circle. Break the cocoon and see the reality out here. Zoti munakhalako kunja seems Nthondo’s folktale. The road you build us are money siphoning holes. Change your perception this country cant continue to be ruled in blindness.

  26. Achoke ndithu tatopa nawo tikufuna msogoleri wazelu osati mbava chifukwa chulungamo akuchiziwa koma Peter ndiye akufuna kuphesa athu chifukwa ndiye anabwela ma vote ndiye athu amutulukila ndiye kulibwino asiye pasi udindo chifukwa akatula Masi udindo bac sikuti pakhalaso nkangano or zioneselo ayi.

  27. What is happening with Peter Mutharika if he sees such a multitude of Protests in His Country. Someone will die of Cardiac arrest sooner than later.

    I can also see that Peter thinks that these protests will die eventually on its own with time. He must be joking in his comfort zone. The anger of people has never been like this before. We are in South Africa watching but yooooooo Peter must think twice pliz. Courts are scared now if they make a mistake here to favor Peter again, more trouble is coming.

  28. Taonani anthuni, mgwirizano eti. Izi oChilima ni oChakwera akupanga pa chithunzichi ndi zimene akanapanga pa ballot paper yao pa 21 May paja , osati ku nsewuku ayi.

    1. Much as I gree with you, but we should also know that the agenda and or manifestos were not much similar if you may recall, I guess and point ment my finger to Mr Chilima to have himself boast like he was the only person who would make us and or the whole Malawi to change, I’m sure as you said, this could be a very good combination, they would first put Malawians and the history would be created and or written by Malawians themselves, so ya you are right, but let’s see where it can take to, surely something good out of this combination is coming, and I can see Malawians are ready for anything,. Chakwera said, this problem we have seen this time a round, is not an mcp or any other party but it’s a National problem, wHicham is very true, I can see your wish is just as mine, we need to stand up and fight for New Malawi.

    2. Nothing would happened because Peter rigged the vote please understand this simple equation.

  31. Indeed some Malawians have spoken but not all Malawiana. Akakhala a Chilima uku ndi kulira paja ankatiuza kuti pa 24 May tikwapeza ku State House as President lero zakanika mpaka kukhala number 3 .So we really understand the fury he has. Akakhala Chakwera we know his time to run for presidency are shattered as 2024 MCP will feature another candidate

  32. ANAMACHENDE INU MUKUGWILIZANA LERO WHEN ALL ALONG WE TOLD YOU TO JOIN FORCES SHUPITI. DYERA LANU TALIONA

    2. Allomwe nthawi yanu yatha ndithu ngati uli mulomwe uziwe kuti our eyes are on you and we will deal with all the lomwe.

  33. Hahaha! so APM had to use a different route to enter Lilongwe ? APM should just accept the fact that MALAWI does not want him ! we do not want him ! we did not want him and we will not want him to be our President! the actions are loud and clear! what else does he want?? Apa Malawi wakwiya,even ma 5 judges wo nawonso saakumufuna munthuyu.!! we will have a re-run

    1. A Chakwera ngongole zikuwasowetsa mtendere amangotenga ngongole avekere ndibwetsa ndikalowa upresisdent.Walemba madzi.Naye Chilima amanamiza anthu akuja kuti awina boma nanga zatheka mpaka no 3.MWALEPHERA IFE TIRI NGA NGA PAMBUYO PA APM COME RAIN OR SUN SHINE ndipo tikatopa nanu muonanso.

  35. Yes Malawi Good over Evil sometimes money fail to produce a voice I hope mr president you have eye to see

  39. APA NDIYE TIMATI MALAWI WAKWIYA, NDIYE MAWA RULING YA KU KHOTI IKAKHALA YA CHAMBA THINGS GONNA BAD TO WORSE EVEN MYSELF AM READY TO DIE FOR THE TRUTH. APA MWAZI NDIYE UKHESEDWADI

  41. Malawians have spoken, don,t surpress them because of one man called Muntharika, who is he kodi? what has he done for malawi apart from milking the thin cows. MUntharika must fall indeed. Ingopakirani agogo

      3. Can never be all, there some deaf and dumb Malawians who can not speak. I hope you are not one of them!!

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