Malawi opposition leader Chakwera calls for peaceful protests
Malawi’s leader of opposition in Parliament Lazarus Chakwera has called for peaceful protests against government this coming Friday, April 27 2018 which civil society organisations (CSOs) are organising nationwide to petition President Peter Mutharika and his administration on governance shortcomings and handling of the K4 billion allocation to members of Parliament (MPs).
Chakwera , who has endorsed the CSOs cause, has said time is now for the people of Malawi to rise and peacefully protest against the government.
“My appeal would be, let them be done peacefully. Let them be done in a way that truly expresses the grievances that Malawians feel at this particular time,” said Chakwera.
CSOs want to force cancellation of disbursement of the K4 billion fund, and push for the resignation or dismissal of Cabinet ministers Goodall Gondwe (Finance, Economic Planning and Development) and Kondwani Nankhumwa (Local Government and Rural Development) over their roles in the scam.
Chakwera, who is also Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president, said as a first person to protest about the disbursement of the K4 billion to legislators in his speech when Parliament was rising, he was in support of the demos.
He said: “I was the first person to protest… because the government was failing to explain. We acted in good faith but our friends acted in bad faith.”
Initially, the MCP leader was part of the agreement by members of Parliament (MPs) to allocate the said amount to all the 193 MPs instead of the initial 80, before making a U-turn later.
The influential quasi-religious grouping Public Affairs Committee (PAC) also endorsed the demonstrations, according to chairperson the Reverend Felix Chingota and his spokesperson Father Peter Mulomole said yesterday theorganisation’s executive board was yet to meet to discuss their postponed demos in relation to the April 27 CSOs demos.
Said Mulomole: “We are supporting the April 27 demos because they are being organised by fellow civil society organisation.”
The demonstrations will be held in Karonga, Mzuzu, Lilongwe, Blantyre and Zomba and Trapence said it was in accordance with Section 40 [2] [d] of the Constitution.
The demonstrations will be held in Karonga, Mzuzu, Lilongwe, Blantyre and Zomba and Trapence said it was in accordance with Section 40 [2] [d] of the Constitution.
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Useless leader of opposition udzakhale patsogolo iwe ndi mkazakoyo. Tiyenazoni. Ndale zakukanika basi.
This type of flip-flopping by someone who claims is ethical is very dangerous. How can we trust such a person as a country? Leaders ought to take responsibility for their actions. Chakwera has clearly show here kuti ndi tambwali
go go go go CSO’s
Chakwera is the most misguided leader MCP has ever had. Really, when you and your party supported and saw thorough the passing of the 2.4 billion in parliament. You must be a total idiot. If I were you, I would not open my mouth and support these foolish CSOs because MCP and you are as guilty as DPP.
MCP is in the best position to fight for Malawians right in parliament. Why hasn’t it been successful in being an effective opposition? Why are they now supporting CSOs Demos? What has MCP done for its people other than just opposing? Chakwera, please focus on what you have planned for Malawians once you’re in power. That will win some votes for MCP next year.
as far as no blood sheds,CSO’S they contribute nothing to the government of Malawi