CSOs cautioned on airports shutdown: National self-destruction to cost Malawi K1bn

Civil Society Orgaisations (CSOs) under the banner of Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) have been  cautioned to tread carefully  over the self-destruction to the nation the planned airport and border shutdown will have  huge negative impact  to the country’s economy.

Chileka International Airport in Blantyre

HRDC said it wants airport and border entry points shutdown for five days from this August 26  aimed at forcing President Peter Mutharika to  fire Jane Ansah as Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson since she has refused the calls to resign for allegedly presiding over fraudulent May 21 Tripartite Elections..

However, commentators have cautioned HRDC that their proposed action – a copy cat from Hong Kong protests – seems suicidal, as this may worsen the already ailing economy and that the grouping should reflect on who will be the biggest loser  – the millions of Malawians or the MEC chair.

Reports say should the protests affect the airports, a total 32 flights are at risk of disruption with Malawian Airlines being the hardest hit.  About 18 flights to be grounded, 32 international flights to be taken off Malawi skies and the government will lose K100 millionin landing, airport service fees.

Department of Civil Aviation deputy director (Regulation) James Chakwera said airports shutdown  could see aviation players and government lose revenue in excess of K 1 billion.

“It is very sensitive to disruptions such as cancellations and delays, the cost could even be higher than K1 billion,” Chakwera said  in quotes reported by the local press.

HRDC chairperson Timothy Mtambo on Tuesday said the grouping is aware of the huge negative impact the airport and border shutdown will have on the country’s economy.

He said this next wake of demonstrations should “propel President Peter Mutharika, as the appointing authority, to fire Jane Ansah as MEC chairperson.”

President Mutharika has ignored calls for Ansah’s removal in the past three months.

Given the extent of the demonstrations’ damage thus far, the HRDC are being advised to wait upon the courts and those pursuing dialogue on the impasse.

And president of Insurance Association of Malawi (IAM) Donbell Mandala  has said property worth billions of kwacha, destroyed during the Anti-Ansah demonstrations will go uncompensated because insurance companies do not indemnify damages caused by political and civil riots.

Nationwide protests broke out across the country following opposition political parties’ displeasure at how the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) managed the 2019 Tripartite Elections.

President Peter Mutharika was re-elecred  with just 39% of the vote in a wide field. His opponents, led by runner-up Lazarus Chakwera, accused Mutharika’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of tampering with results in some parts of the country.

Efforts to block Mutharika’s inauguration failed and protesters have been on the street ever since. In some instances their activities have turned violent, but the court has upheld their right to demonstrate despite regime efforts to shut down the protests.

Attorney General has taken up the matter to Supreme Court of Appeal to save the nation from more self-destruction through the demonstrations.

The country has essentially been at a three-month standstill and commentators say there should be sobriety at what is good for the country in the long run.

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Njolo mpilu
Njolo mpilu
4 years ago

anthutu amakonda odya naye zakuba. yes noone is going to die for mtambo. he is an eye opener.
just like pitala is the no 1 corruptor.
in this time of disagreements he sends the 2 ladies to UK with hefty loads of £ to spend.he is paying the lawyers to shield him .
mupwetekekatu.

milandu ya ma albino ophedwa congochula ntaba in the team basi zose zii koma afuna kuimba mlandu omwe anamenya dausi. crazy mind.
njauju,chasowa, mwana wa kamuzu ija dzamalala sanamalize post moterm ija???????
nanga Lule munamuicha uja in the name of natural death!!!!!!!!

James Banda
James Banda
4 years ago

This country is not worthy dying for Mr Mtambo

Peter
Peter
4 years ago

Mangalimoto anga ndikupasani osafooka tiyenazoni a galu amenewa said dziwa chomwe tikufuna mxieee

Tariq
Tariq
4 years ago

Jane Ansah goes or the economy tanks. Simple choice. A serious administration would have already fired her but these dunderhead dimwits want to gamble the entire economy to save the person who gave them election. So sink the economy we shall. Mutharika and his thieves have chosen Ansah over the economy and the people of Malawi. So be it.

kaukonde
kaukonde
4 years ago

Judges should stand up to protect their fellow judge from these terrorist. The option now remaining is for Jane Ansah to move the courts to declare that she is being subjected to mob justice and if the lebel leader Ntambo believes there was any electoral misconduct he should bring such evidence and be a witness to Chakwela and Chilima. In all fairness Ntambo should have resigned from MESN and HRC because he has been found to lack principals by signing for electoral result and then come back to disown the same results that he signed for. If he got any… Read more »

Mr Truth Pains
4 years ago
Reply to  kaukonde

Judges can’t stand up to defend corrupt judge Jane Ansah but they will stand up to defend justice otherwise their reputation as well will go in the mud

msundu wumo
msundu wumo
4 years ago

Issues are in court and let the court determine IF ELECTIONS WERE REALLY FRAUDULENT AS YOU PUT IT…MTAMBO PA MUSUNDU PAKO WAPULIKA, NDIWE CHIZEREZA. WHAT ARE THE COURTS FOR? WHAT IF COURT DECIDE A RERUN, WHAT WILL YOU BENEFIT?

msundu wumo
msundu wumo
4 years ago
Reply to  msundu wumo

I WONDER WHAT KIND OF FREEDOM FIGHTERS ARE THESE GUYS, MULANDU ULI MUCOURT, CHIBAZI MWADYA CHONONA ETI. OBVIOUSLY, IN CASE OF RERUN JANE ASAH MAY NOT BE THE CHAIR AGAIN.
KUNGOFUNA KUWONONGA, YOU CORRUPT, WELL SPONSORED BY DIVIDED OPPOSITIONS.

Ng'ombechinda
Ng'ombechinda
4 years ago
Reply to  msundu wumo

I wonder too why people are mixing these two issues as same. The Case in Court is not about Jane Ansah! its about MCP, UTM,DPP and MEC.

Aalex
Aalex
4 years ago

Why can’t you people ask APM to fire this Lady?

aNNSA
aNNSA
4 years ago
Reply to  Aalex

what for idiot?

Ng'ombechinda
Ng'ombechinda
4 years ago
Reply to  aNNSA

She fucked up Elections you Motherfucker! Are in Malawi or not?

Patriot
Patriot
4 years ago

This is utter stupidity by HRDC! Ansah and Mutharika are still enjoying their millions the way they would want to. Their children are abroad and if they wanted to, the would take a 1 month leave and enjoy themselves in another country while you are busy destroying property constructed by the poor man’s taxes. The one suffering and to suufer all your trashy demonstrations is the poor Malawian. Mutharika would still rule this country through to the end of the term no matter how badly he does it, he has nothing to lose. It’s the poor Malawian suffering still. If… Read more »

James Banda
James Banda
4 years ago

Mtambo et al. Those who killed Robert the student and Njaunju there are out there, they wil harm you. And by now you should have realised that Peter and Jane have made up their mind not ignore.

Revolutionary
4 years ago

Desperation on the part of HRDC, after all the burning and looting, Jane Ansah has stayed put…she is innocent until proven guilty by the concourt if it nullifies the elections….Mtambo hona akunange mutu please slow down you are creating enemies for yourself and your kinsmen…you are hurting people’s livelihoods and people will attack you who aren’t even in politics because your arrogance is driving them into an abyss of poverty by losing their property to your hooliganism

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