Expert, pro govt CSOs rebuke MCP, PP over Malawi President resignation calls

A political expert and some social commentators have condemned opposition Malawi Congress Party  (MCP) and People’s Party (PP) politicians for hijacking the all inclusive Public Affairs Committee  (PAC) meeting to call for the resignation of President Peter Mutharika.

Imran Sharif of Chancellor College, an elite college of the University of Malawi said the calls were misplaced and ill-timed.

“Our Republican Constitution is very clear that the State President will have a five year mandate to rule the country,” said Sharif, a former member of PAC.

He said President Peter Mutharika will stay put on his position until 2019 when the presidency will be up for grabs in the presidential poll.

Political commentator Green Mwamondwe, a former legislator of Karonga central accused the MCP and PP of politicising the noble conference which he said sought tangible solutions to deal with ptoblems affecting the nation.

He said it was not the right forum for the opposition to call for the resignation of the President.

Veteran civil rights activist Rogers Newa said he was baffled to see MCP’s Jessie Kabwila, People’s Party Ken Msonda and Kamlepo Kalua standing up just to call for the resignation of President Mutharika.

“Frankly speaking, these spoiled the two day fruitful meeting. This was uncalled for,” he said.

Another activist, Lucky Mbewe said the actions by Kabwila, Msonda and Kalua calls for PAC to think twice when inviting politicians to such important apolitical conferences in future.

He said PAC, a quasi religious body, should always stick to its non partisan mandate and never be influenced by politicians.

Ken Ndanga, publicist for the United Democratic Front (UDF)  called for sober approach when dealing with issues of national importance, saying political militancy will only bring the country further into deep problems.