Fears of fresh unrest as Malawi youths plan protests: Cadets set to take advantage
Malawians are bracing for fresh unrest after the main activists under the banner of Youth for Change unveiled plans for a series of demonstrations with opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) notorious youth cadets set to join in looting and violence.
Youth for Change has announced plans for nationwide protests on July 13 against President Lazarus Chakwera’s appointment of a 31-member Cabinet which is being branded as “tokenism” to his picks.
“What Mr President has done is no more than a reward for the personal battle the beneficiaries fought,” reads a statement of the youth grouping in part.
In an interview, the grouping said it will mobilise one million Malawian youth for the march.
The demonstrations will include a vigil at President’s private residence in Area 6, Lilongwe where Chakwera is currently residing.
“We remain in the trenches and will continue to fight. We will take to the streets to push the presidency to address this Cabinet of nepotism,” said one of the activists.
Meanwhile, Nyasa Times understands that DPP Cadets wants to take advantage of the protest to cause havoc and make Malawi ungovernable.
The new Cabinet has angered most Malawians who took to social media to express disappointment with the inclusion of old-timers and “corrupt” individuals.
“The electorate voted for change, but this new Cabinet lacks novelty. It is definitely uninspiring, if not disappointing,” said Danwood Chirwa, a Malawian law professor at the University of Cape Town in South Africa.
He said the new government should have sent a clear message to all and sundry that patronage; corruption and looting will end but to no avail.
“Individuals who have looted before should be investigated and prosecuted, and that new, clean and competent people should lead Malawi,” Chirwa said.
Gender activist Emma Kaliya also described the Cabinet as a raw deal, saying President Chakwera has not lived up to the promise of 40% female representation and that most women are deputy ministers.
The Cabinet composition shows that Chakwera’s Malawi Congress Party (MCP) dominates with 16 party members — 12 full ministers and four deputies — representing 51.6%, while Vice President Saulos Chilima’s UTM Party has six members: four ministers and two deputies, representing 19.4%.
There are also two independent legislators in the new government.
The president had initially named five people to Cabinet positions within days of his election.
Chakwera, who came into power in June after defeating former leader Peter Mutharika, has also nominated a new police chief, new central bank governor and tax authority head.
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a youlth for change ndinu opusa kwambiri mkungofuna kutchuka ngati HRDC ngati kuti mwina HRDC yo ndima level anu muona tizikakuthizimulirani mkatikati momo tatopa ndi zama demostration we want to make business now
So you think it’s only MCP nyau and their associates that are entitled to demonstrations? Munya muona
Which cadet is this? kkkk now everyone who oppose you is a cadet? Since when did Kajolowoleka join the cadets. Ife ma cadets tili phee ku ma stand watching the dark comedy unfold.
DEMONSTRATE ON THE STREETS AND MEET THE DREADED CORONA VIRUS DISEASE 2019 – otherwise, known as COVID – 19 simply
Why did you not ask peter when several mistakes were made.Did you fear him or you think Chakwera is not a government. Be very careful despite him being a Rev. others can be directed to act.
Iwenso ndi mbuzi eti, what have the courts always said on demonstrations? Palibe chomwe Lazaro angapange wachepa nazo.
The writer is trying to drug DPP/cadet into the issue.
The President has a problem of oversight. There are good people even in his party/alliance, the likes of Kamuzu Chibambo, Chidanti Malunga, Proffessor Chisi( for Min. of Health), Mosses Kunkuyu( for Information Minister) and not Gaffars,etc . A word of warning to the President’ If it starts now with demonstrations before 100 days, then expect your early downfall. By the way was Chilima involved in this choosing? I don’t think so.. help me.
He was didnt you see the pic of two talking
Mr vice timaona ngati tasakha anthu adzelu ndimbatata zokhazokha what kind of this ministers now …agwape ndi afisi
Tiwonan ku msewu komweko. Zoputsa eti. Kuba sikunakutopetseni
Ma Cadet akufuna potontholera, kayendeni ndithu Mufepo ndi Covid-19, ndani opanda nzeru angakayende ku nsewu motsogozedwa ndi bungwe loti lilibe ndi leader yemwe, youth for change? change What? we already changed, there is nothing to change again. ma Cadet awa…
A Yufi ligi mwayambapo zanu zopondeleza anthu zija sichoncho?
DPP MUST KEEP QUIET! KEEP QUIET! KEEP QUIET! KEEP QUITE!KEEP QUIET!
A congoresi mwayamba yanu ija yopondeleza ndi kuzunza anthu eti? Tikukuonanitu!!
Don’t drug DPP or cadets into this no sense you writer!
This won’t be successful