Malawi faces more protests as Chakwera’s ultimultum to Mutharika on Al–Shabaab claims elapses: Police should be well-equipped
Malawi is facing renewed street demonstrations with main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) set to unleash its supporters back to the streets to protest against President Peter Mutharika’s claims that some politicians are trying to recruit mercenary militias from Al-Shabaab and the Congo war zone to create anarchy in the country.
MCP leader Lazarus Chkwera asked Mutharika on Saturday to produce evidence within 24 hours, to substantiate his claims.
President Mutharika made the allegation in his State of the Nation Address (Sona) in the National Assembly on Friday, that some politicians had conspired to bomb Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on May 28 when he was being sworn in following the contested May 21 presidential elections.
Mutharika did not mention names in his Parliament’s address but said he knows the “two political leaders” who have tried to recruit mercenary militias “from Al-Shabaab and the Congo war zone to come and create anarchy in this country.”
However, Chakwera said Mutharika should substantiate his allegations warning that,” if Mr. Mutharika does not publicly produce evidence of this within 24 hours, then Malawians will know that this is just another one of his tippex lies.”
Chakwera is said to organise his party supporters to get back on the streets and protests the remarks by Mutharika.
“Whatever the case, his remarks only show how unfit he is for the presidency and how detached he is from reality. As a case in point, he even claimed, with no sense of irony, that if citizens continue to protest, they will one day find themselves being ruled by evil,” said Chakwera.
Meanwhile, Civil society organisations (CSOs) under the banner of Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC), has also organised further demonstrations calling for the resignation of Malawi Electoral Commission chairperson Jane Asah and other commissioners to resign and pave the way for investigations into, among others, identifying and prosecuting those who supplied Tippex to be used for ‘doctoring’ election figures.
HRDC announced the development during a post-June 20 demonstrations news conference held at the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) office in Lilongwe.
Gift Trapence, the HRDC vice-chairperson, said the group expected Ansah to resign by Friday, but she did not hence they will launch a campaign of civil disobedience.
“We think they are taking Malawians for a joke, so we will hold demonstrations on 4th and 5th July in form of vigils in 10 selected districts.
“After these vigils, if there will be no action, we will hold other vigils from 8th to 12th July, but this time in all the districts and we will continue until Ansah resigns,” said Trapence.
Opposition leaders Chakwera and UTM’s Saulos Chilima, who finished second and third in the election, respectively, who are both challenging the election results in court, alleging irregularities said they will engage “gear two” if Ansah refuses to abdicate from the commission.
The UTM leader said Malawians should not be afraid as they are expressing their right to demonstrate.
The election was marred by allegations of fraud, including that many results sheets were altered using white correction fluid called Tippex.
Malawian political scientist Michael Jana, who teaches at the University of Witwatersrand, said: “A significant section of Malawi society is disgruntled and does not want the current government. It’s a divided country.”
The opposition have promised to keep the demonstrations peaceful, but tensions are running high and some fear the protests could spark civil unrest.
Meanwhile, police officers are said to be asking for authorities to ensure that they are well equipped to contain the people’s protests.
Nyasa Times understands police are having a shortage of weapons which include rubber bullets, protective gear and tear gas canisters.
During the June 20 protests, some people in Mzuzu, Lilongwe and Blantyre took the law into their own hands, stoning buildings and cars, and burning billboards and flags.
Some yobs went berserk, looting shops, breaking shop windows, burning tyres and flags of President Peter Mutharika as well as manhandling some police officers.
Property worth millions of kwacha was lost and police have said they are still assessing the damages to ascertain how much was lost, but have already arrested a few people in Mzuzu.
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By making that statement he is planning to crack on the opposition..
Kodi iwe Lazarus ukuganibwa bwanji? Ndimayesa nkhani ili ku khoti? Kuyambira lero sukhalanso “Chakwera’ koma ‘Chatsika’ chifukwa nzeru zako zikutsika.
Planning further marches under the pretext of the remarks is preposterous of the fake accent ex-reverend chakwera-wakwera-joisi. Do him and his people have nothing better to do but to cause chaos. Shame on Yona Kamano Chakwera.
Shame on you.
Mwayambo a Chakwela mukabenso mu Bata sizinakukwaneni munaba zija,nkhuku za Mayi uja ku Mchinji munabanso inthe name of Demos.Onse osowa zochita azikapanga demo imeneyo.Onse ali ndi zochita akhala akugwila ntchito yawo.Leader of Opposition now reduced to a mere demonstrator.Shame
NO FEAR NO REGRE,T, GO KONKO PANSEWU
Its easy to spark civil unrest, but its not easy end it. In Libya the so called disgruntled people rose against Gaddafi, they killed him and today Libya is still in turmoil.
In Sudan they toppled Al Bashir and the country is no longer as peaceful as it used to be.
Toppling govt. from power has its own consequences. UTM/MCP supporters are on the street on one side, one can only imagine if the DPP/UDF supporters can also be pitted on the other side.
My plea to leaders on both side is to exercise caution there is no winner in war only suffering and miseries. We should not take for granted the peace we have
Smoke in the Air,zauchitsiru
@ Smoke in the air, koma mukufuna tivomereze this illegitimate government of Tippex? Hell Nooooooo………… come what may! Mr. Kankono must FALL for Malawi to RISE!
MALAWIANS,we in diaspora, are with you in the fight for our motherland which has been thrown under the BUS.iam made to believe that Muthalika and his running dogs are directly involved in this nasty corruption in the history of our unfortunate country.It is shameful for a PHD President to behave like Idd Amin of Uganda who had never entered the class loom in his life-time.The name Al Shabaab,is satanic and head of terrorist organisations per say.On the other side,it is we Malawians who vote for people like this bull dog.You had voted for Bingu Muthalika just bicause is MWANA WA KWATHU you have now seen mwana wakwathu the way how he treats you.I remember once, there was shortage of food for our brothers in Mulanje,for their astonishiment and disbelief people as a whole,they were taken aback and lost confidence in Mathanyula and to their disbelief,Peter told his voters that they could eat Mbewa and grasshopers.Malawians,mind you,this is the Head of State and these are the people who pay for his livelihood.Muthalika you are ashaming Malawians.I think Malawians have learnt their history.BANDA USED TO CALL US,MY PEOPLE HAVENT WE LEARNT A GOOD LESSON FROM BANDA? ALUTA CONTINUA!!!!!!!!!!
More protests for what ? Amene mulibe CHOCHITA go to the streets kuti mukadzole ma tear gas whilst trapence and his family and friends will be home having drinking tea
Thousands upon thousand will go to the streets. Do not underestimate demonstrations. If you are doubting, go and ask Sudanese or Egyptians kkkk
A Jimmy Phiri muziwerenga malamulo, what is inciting violence, and what are protests or demonstrations. Go and read the penal code and as well the constitution before you direct the arrest of organisers of demonstrations. Mind you the ruling party is also organising their own demonstrations, are they going to be arrested?
Tisadelele zinthu mene zikuyendera tiyeni tizikamba zomanga dziko. Look at how ALBASHIR was removed in sudan. He is a military officer but succumbed to civillian pressure and up to now theres no peace. On Alshabab allegations I think the best way Govt would have done is just to arrest the perpetrators and bring them before justice coz the mentioned groups are very dangerous if let to operate here. Ndiye when we start an issue we need to have facts otherwise Alshabab has now known that we qualify to be part of thier play ground, and they can come even without any politician inviting them. In 1992-93 people suceeded in removing Kamuzu through protests and the military joined in with operation bwezani ndiye tisaphweketse. Nyasa times yomweyi tikhoza kuzasowa nthawi yowerengera. Let us preach peace above party affiliations
Yoswa,that is not true.We will fight on until justice prevails.
I move that the opposition leaders who are organizing protests should be arrested and imprisoned for inciting violence, and causing loss to the economy.
“dumb ass’ its their right to protest they can do that everyday if they have to! Al shibabo lies thus inciting violence now you know whom to arrest KKKK
Why don’t you arrest Zungwara ?
In a poor country like this, one wonders from where the opposition parties (Chakwera and Chilima) are getting money to fund and organize these protests. I think ACB should look into the finances of these opposition parties to see who is funding them.. They are just causing loss to the economy, loss and damages to peoples properties. The article says that Malawians are disgruntled with the current government – this is plain lies, and false reporting by Nyasa Times. Most of the population have come to accept the current government (DPP). Mutharika is a good leader, who has done a lot for this country in terms of development. If we give power to the opposition (MCP or UTM), it will be much, much worse… Let’s just get on with our lives..
Protests are free. What cost is there to hold a protest nawe iwe.
Akulu the cost of a protest will be clear to you if they burnt your house or damaged precious property that belongs to you……and that with a claim of peaceful protest
So Mr smart ass tell us what law is there for the ones funding to face? and what crime they have committed again? What level of education did you attain kodi? Its the police duty to safe guard the property and life during protests BTW!
inuso school inakuthawani eti , no need of funding protests , be reminded that these are for free and only to those who feel pain about their country not to the cadet like you
Is Jimmy Phiri most of the Malawians. If you’re happy with the Tippex president just say so. Don’t speak on our behalf blue cadet
MBULI INA IYI
Loss to the economy???? Muahahahahahaha!!!! hehehehehe!!! huhuhuhuhu!!! hihihihi!!!!! tiyeni tiasiyire eni ake izi Bwana!! kkkkkkk
So you admit the situation is bad ?
PITANI MUKABESO ALESI INU
Ndipo sitinati
demonstrations yasanduka solution ya chilichonse kodi eti
The police who have lined up in the photo above are basking in the sun not providing security, have you seen them with guns???
Peter Wakuba Tipex Ansah Mutharika and Jane Tipex Wakuba Tipex Mutharika Ansah both of you are so stupidity, ndipo anthu awiri kuzuza dziko,inu kukhala ngati ndani? tipite ndikuyenda paliponse nkhani izikhala yainu ngati ndani? uchitsiru wanuwo muzitininkhiza ife?
Have demonstrations ever worked in Malawi? If so, when?
They Worked in 1992 and 1993.
A repeat is here
Who knew they would finally work in Sudan for once, in Egypt and in Zimbabwe! There’s always first time! Never say never! Keep fighting the good fight
u will see this year 2019
APM IS VERY STUPID, WE ARE GOING ON THE STREET MASSIVELY,NDIPO SITISIYA NO FEAR NO REGRETS
you will regret my brother because ukuzichedwetsa malo mokalima ma ndimba kuti thumbidwa zako zija zisasowe chakudya lazy people mxi.
Who is stupid between Mbava Pitala and Chakwera who is fighting for the truth. Koma anthu amadya manyi ndithu
which truth you talking about is chakwela who is stupid when did he took votes that can make him a president?
Ndikumva chisoni ndi munthu wa Mulungu. Zikanakhala bwino mukanakhala ku Assemblies komwe kuja ndikumatumikira ndichikumbumtima cha ngwiro. Sikwanga kuweluza koma zikuoneka ngati ulemelero wa Mulungu ukutithawa. Ngati kukhala mtsogoleri woopa Mulungu ndikumeneku ndiye ayi bola amene saopa Mulungu alibwinonso. Liwonetseni dziko bwana kuleza mtima kwa Khristu Yesu. Ngati zikukukanikani kuleza mtima muli ku opposition nanga asilikali ndi apolisi onse ali pansi pa ulamuliro wanu titani? Mungotisalazapo tonse ndi akasinja. ndikupsa mtima kwake kumeneku. Petulo inde ndiwakuba koma pankhani yoleza mtima sangafanane ndi inu abusa. Panopa ndayamba kukhala ndichithunzithunzi kuti mwina Mulungu sakufuna kuti mukhale mtsogoleri chifukwa siinu mulera khungwa. Mulungu amakudziwani bwino khalidwe lanu ndikaganizidwe kanu komanso mtima wanu kuti mwina sizoyenera kutsogolera dziko. Mutitsogolera bwanji chonchi ngati khalidwe lanu ndilotere. Panopa ndili ndi chisoni chachikulu ndipo ndikanakondwera kuti zimene mukuchitazi zikanati zisachitike munthawi yanga ino. Ndikanakondwera ndikanaona kusiyana pakati pa mtsogoleri owopa Mulungu ndi amene saopa Mulungu. Koma amene saopa Mulungu alibwino kuposa amene saopa Mulungu.
Amen Abusa atembenuke mtima
Doesn’t this prove that Chakwera is recruiting al Shabaab? Why going to the streets when you have already destroyed so much property and hurt so many people? MCP is going to come out of this with a bloody image of a party which has never reformed.
Inu a MCP, are you sure your president is still sane? Is he such devastated to point of losing his mind? You Wil realise too late that abusa has suddenly gone nuts! Thank God he saved us from being led by this lunatic who is surely overreacting to whatever passes his eyes. Mathero a Chakwera ngati makatani ndiye ndi amenewa! Chilima be careful if you truly want to lead this country. You have a great future koma abusawo atha kukutsogolera ku msipu wa chiphe. Choose your own path Chilima I advise you
Is a dunderhead professor of yours sane? Where is the evidence?
A philosopher ndinu achidzete omwa madzi ometera ngati mmayesa nkhalamba yanu ilamulila itakutumani kuti mubere a philosopher ulendo uno mwauponda. The description you put for MCP president fits your chinkhalamba pretending president and your description you ascribe to MCP supporters fits the very blind DPP supporters and it’s very sad that in Malawi anyone can be aligning himself with the most hated party in.malawi like dpp hmmm its the most boring party to align oneself with
Ever heard of freedom of association?
Stupid and blind supporters……
acapulco ur are also stupid
Not as stupid as you.
You are more than him
You are very stupid mulomwe wokwera lore ya nthochi kubwera ku lilongwe… People in blantyre you are losing your sense… Am sorry for this abale … you mean you cant think kuti there was corruption.. NEXT elections adzabere and yet the government is not delivering anything.. BLANTYRE WAKE UP PLEASE… in manese chilimba ndirande safalawo chinseu bangwe chilomoni nthopwa mbayani uve umphawi uli thoooo…. you don’t have Medical insurance MASM.
Simunga changamuke ayiya anthu mu blantyre amakhala ku gula ufa in packets muli ndi polima inu… what do you have wake…am from blantyre very few people are happy here there’s no money only poverty striking people..
Lets change things fight for equal opportunity and rights .. kupusa yet .