Malawi post-election violence: President Mutharika is a true democrat
Since President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won the May 21 tripartite elections, the opposition, particularly the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and more recently the UTM Party, have been up in arms. They are disputing the election, claiming it was rigged; they have even gone to the courts to seek redress and are asking the courts to nullify the results.
They have not just ended there, MCP supporters have in particular been very vocal and unruly; they have been behaving like wild dogs and have taken the law into their own hands. With urging from their President, Dr Lazarus Chakwera, MCP supporters have been staging some rampage demonstrations mostly in the central region part of Malawi to express their dissatisfaction with the elections.
They have looted other people’s shops and damaged property worth hundreds of millions of Kwacha belonging to government and innocent individuals, and they still look like they don’t care; they have beaten supporters of other political parties particularly the DPP; they even chased people from the southern region of the country from their homes for suspecting them to be DPP because in their minds everyone from the southern region is DPP.
The MCP supporters even took to the headquarters of government in Malawi – the Capital Hill – apparently to chase and flush out all civil servants who are reporting for work so that they must not ‘work for Peter Mutharika’s government.’
In their wisdom, the MCP supporters still think it was Chakwera who won the elections and are doing everything in their means to destabilize and topple the duly elected DPP government.
Ironically, the supporters are doing all these things; behaving like hysterical rabbits whilst the election case is in court. They are like the double-faced Janus with two faces: one face very legal and following the due process of the law whilst the other face illegal and wild, doing everything possible to break the very law the other face is trying to adhere to.
However, the Peter Mutharika government has remained admirably cool, calm and collective under the circumstances. Examples abound of how the same context of politics played out within the SADC region in not so distant past. The late Morgan Tsvangirai was constantly in and out of the hospital for his so many countless battles with Zimbabwean Police under Robert Mugabe.
Tsvangirai can easily go down in history as perhaps the most beaten opposition leader in this part of Africa in a country that calls itself a democracy.
His successor, Nelson Chamisa has also not been spared the vent of government even under a different President. Just after the elections last year, Chamisa was furiously clobbered by security forces when he tried to take a flight at Harare International Airport for a trip outside the country.
In Zambia opposition leader, Hakainde Hichilema can also goes down in history as one of the most arrested individuals in the country’s history for showing signs of insubordination and for instigating lawlessness against an elected government. At one point Hakainde Hichilema was clobbered by security forces fornot giving way to a presidential convoy to pass, apparently because he did not recognize the President of that country as an elected individual.
In Malawi, however, the government of President Mutharika has remained calm under the circumstances, despite the blatant provocation and lawlessness that is being displayed by opposition leaders and their supporters. There has not been any arrest or beating of opposition leaders, and they are all enjoying the comforts of their homes.
In fact, Chakwera has been allowed to be sworn in as Member of Parliament (MP), and he is free to issue his less thoughtful orders for his supporters to be violent from the comfort of his home. There cannot be any mark of democracy more than that, and Malawi can easily go down as the most democratic country in the SADC region.
The other mistake that the opposition are also making is to take Mutharika’s calmness under the circumstances as a sign of weakness. This is clearly wrong. This is a President who has just won an election; he is Commander-in-Chief of the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) and has all the government apparatus under his control. He is capable of making a decision to make the world more painful for opposition leaders and their supporters if he wants to, but has simply chosen not to because he is a tolerant individual who believes in democracy.
This is, however, not a sign of weakness; in fact it is a sign of strength.
As a leader, President Mutharika understands that the true mark of a democracy is not about having democratic institutions but ensuring that the institutions actually work in the promotion of the rule of law.
He is a constitutional lawyer and he is very aware that there are cases in court and that adequate space must be created to allow the court process to flow and make a determination. That’s perhaps the only reason he has exercised restraint against the errant opposition leaders and their supporters. A true democrat President Mutharika is.
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Mcp is a party of violence, always has been and always will be.
So since opposition leaders re not arrested or beaten that becomes the yard stick for one to be called a democrat?
Freeze all trucks carrying tippex into the country and you will enjoy your peace. I am still working on my broken pit latrine.
We thanked Mr President and the winning DPP for remaining calm and not retaliating at the violent and volatile MCP. However things seem still not good at the moment as losing MCP have no respect for law. It is urgently suggested that certain freedoms and rights must be frozen in this country as we can not substitute unlawfulness for these freedoms and rights. In an election there is one winner and losing an election does not mean grieve violently over the loss.
Kodi kupangitsa msonkhano osangalala kuwina chisankho munthu wamkulu kumanena kuti akulira kuti “Mia Mia” kumeneko nkumati he is a Democrat or ndiwodekha? Rewrite your article and include the MIA-Mia to balance it up. Ndiyankhe kape walemba article yi
No much to comment about the article, but the part about the President of the MDC in Zimbabwe, Nelson Chamisa, being clobbered soon after the general elections last year is not correct.
Malawi was a peace loving country admired by many countries in Africa. What many Malawians do not know is that the ruling Party did the same style in 2014 and other parties simply accepted for the sake of maintaining peace and stability in the country and NOT that DPP won the elections.2019 the same has been repeated and their friends have finally played the word ENOUGH is ENOUGH. MEC and Mr Peter are creating Revolution in the country which is not fair at all! MEC knows the wholly truth of the matter but where money has exchanged hands the Commissioners do not want show on faces that they messed up all election process. Often times I personally laugh when I meet some commissioner officers calling themselves people of God? hehehehehe! Koma MULUNGU WAZIWONERA NDITHU. Of -course some of them can read on their faces that they are genuine thieves BUT enawo? Very sad indeed. I truly cry for my used to be the beloved country – MALAWI.
The column is empty. I have just wasted my time reading it.
Tangokharani muwone zomwe ziti achitike boma ndi boma basi
It’s true peter is our president kwakuka mkuderela basi ofunika awathire zingwe.
I was there in 1968 when Hastings Kamuzu Banda tried to define democracy in malawi. Check your Hansard. I am here today someone trying to define a democrat. I do not know about tomorrow. But who cares!
article yauchitsiru iyi. Try to to arrest our presidents and see what shaved nkhanga mpala. za mkutu basi
My fellow malawians we are all in one boat called Malawi and if this boat sinks we shall all sink regardress of our party affliation therefore lets love our country.When the boat sinks innocent people suffer.God created us and gave this country with a reason and every leader is put on the throne by God himself.Who are you to question God?
Or the leader most unable to read the situation. Let us not mistake ineptness with being democratic. This is a simple case of not seeing it coming or thinking it would always be that way. A leader must have the pulse of the people; usually the UNDEMOCRATIC fall into that trap because they failed to LISTEN or RESPOND to their people. And when things are not going to script they are still hoping they will go back to the old days. Malawi did not just arrive here, the root cause is our UNDEMOCRATIC LEADER.
To Bristone Mabichi!!!!…..Kikiki…the girl was pregnant not that quota-system played any part….
Evidence that the election was stolen is still pilling up even from MEC itself. Why are they changing election data on their website?
The Question is how did we Get Here.. .In this Mess…Proposals to Have a Government that would be Elected by Majority ….50+1 were Rejected by Same So Called Democrat( By the Way for Fought for This Democracy93/94)….How did we End Up with Tippex on Election Results… Who supplied it …Just Questions Majority of Malawians are asking …Our Patience and Calmness Since 1994 should not be taken for Foolishness…This Anger was going to come out Anyway …Corruption ,Impunity ,Nepotism …Have been Tolerated for Too Long by Your Democrat…People are Just Tired…Just Listen to MBC you would Think we are still in One Party Malawi in …1989…
Absolutely nonsense! You can not say Mutharika won if there is ample evidence that he not only paid MEC officials to change the data entered in the system but also had election monitors using Tipex which MEC denied to have supplied. Why don’t you address real issues why MCP and UTM did not accept the outcome? Stupid biased article written by a stooge and Mutharika’s hand clapper.
I am trying to think. But I have been overtaken by the events….parliament and constitutional court……
That happems when you know the population is against u. At least he has a conscience that he wasn’t dully elected and any efforts to deal with the opposition leaders will backfire..we are tired of his stupidity…never again
Indeed, as a Constitutional Law expert, APM was one of the framers of our post Kamuzu Banda (and his MCP) dictatorship.
APM is showing signs and markers of a democrat; and it is as if he inherited democracy in his genes. But NO! He just learned it in his life, and experienced it, and he thinks it is the best political system so far. And he is right.
Yet, MCP and their so-called leaders continue to advocate social and political chaos: not realizing that they are continuing to damage their brand.
And, as for Chilima: if he continues on the political path he has taken so far, by tagging onto the cocktails of oChakwera in a defiance stance and demonstrating recklessly, he (Chilima) has no chance of tasting the Presidency of this country! Majority of voters will not forget his unsavory and unpatriotic actions; much as in the same vein Malawians will not forget atrocities of Kamuzu’s MCP. This is not an exageration.
1.7 million Malawians voted MCP, have these forgotten about Kamuzu atrocities? Bring another argument. MCP’s popularity has continued to grow since than parties which have never committed any “atrocities” where is UDF? where is Aford?
Very thoughful words put together. I salute Muthalika as a true democrat. I was one of those who did not want him win the election but with the behaviour of the opposition especially the unruly Malawi Congress Party members I don’t regret their loss in the elections. Why would protesters storm Capital Hill and stop civil servants from working telling them to pack and go? Why would a sane citizen dig up a road leading to his own home? Why would a normal human being demolish a health centre as if the health centre made their party president lose the election? What had bata shop to do with elections to deserve rooting of their shops by hooligans calling themselves party supporters? I cannot trust such a party and happily don’t regret their loss. The old spirit still haunting them.
He is a democratic thief
Who in their right minds can have Sidik Mia as president of a counntry. Sidik, bankrupt as he is is paying people to be on the streets and distabilise the country.
Let people revote, MCP will be shamed I can assure you.
How much you got paid to write all this nonsense?
Too bad… do not beat up officers
He is not and he has never been: A girl with 12 points committed suicide because of his quarter system. He has brought education genocide for the northerners, keep out writer.
Truth of the matter this violence is backfiring on Chakwera and Chilima. They desperate. They are willing to allow the country burn if they can be king of the ashes that remain. Pity. A Chilima munthu wapanambala 3 with 4 MPs behaving as if would be a winner even if the country voted again. Accept reality people!
How can you call someone a Democrat when He knows kuti anabera? There is no action which He can do cos AKudziwa kut very soon He will be in jail for what he did
It is only the wise that can criticize the current violence perpetrated by Chakwera and Chilima. Nyasa Times deserve an applause.
Well done Nyasa Times editorial. You have spoken the truth. If this madness from MCP and UTM (Chakwera and Chilima) continue, it is our country that is going to suffer. Our economy is going to be severely affected.
We will burn this country until Justice prevails. Wina amva m’bebe
BRAVO Nyasa Times for standing up for democracy and giving credit where it is due. Mutharika is a very calm person and he has shown that he is tolerant. We need to applaud him for that. May God Bless Mutharika, his government and Nyasa Times.
If the leader himself knows that he is tippexed, how can he judge others or arrest them???
This is the result yo bela mavoti kuphana ndi kumenyana
I do not think a democrat would go rigging.Rules of the game must apply
Haters seething from recent success of their opponent can’t like this Editorial! In fact, I even looked to see the name of the writer, only find Nyasa Times’ Editor… this one is based on a true reflection of the situation on the ground.
Mbava ikagwidwa sibweza moto. Imalira zabodza. Pitala afa anytime. 80 sipanotu. Kungolowa mchipatala organs start dying. Apa mikono idafa kale.
Mr president(APM) you are good man! I know a good person when I see one and you are indeed a good leader! I hope to meet you 1 day to praise you face to face! I hope these rabid dogs Chakwera and criminal gang get what they deserve. These are power hungry and want to steal! Am glad I don’t have to hear that fake accent ever again and as well Saulos stinking face!
ALL THE BEST PRESIDENT PROFESSOR ARTHUR MUTHARIKA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do you hate Chakwera or MCP? What makes you think Mutharika is a true democratic? He knows that Tippex compromised election results. If Jane was careful and listened to the voice of reason we could not have seen all this.
Its hard to believe in what Mafias do and say,,,
He may have been beaten by police in civilian to implicate innocent people…look closely to the fotos good people those who are carrying him are not normal civilians,,,,Kametedweko kakusonyeza kut ndi apolisi amenewo,,,
MDFsoldiers will not me be intimidated to take unlawful orders against Malawians.
Nyasa times editor, pangali yambone apa. Ulendo upali, Walambwisye wane ndawi jine, nambo ngawankwalambusya wandu wosepe ndawi syosepe.
So the writer want DPP tippex government to do what?
Its not about APM being a democrat, its about him being a useless leader of a cabal of crooks called the DPP. You dont have the support of over 70% of the voters, you have no mandate, you are leading the 3rd poorest country in the world and your entire cabinet is corrupt. Under such circumstances no leader will arrest anybody, frankly the army and the police would stop him if he even dared a crackdown on the population. He has no mandate.
As for the DPP cadets who want to act as if they are some powerful majority, you are just a small group of corrupt thieves led by Chimulirenji and Dausi, try and attack the people in this environment and it will be your funerals.
Biased article not worth reading; the writer is oblivious on what happened in the election process
The author of this nonsense is a dpp diehard…..how can we allow tipex to govern hahaha
Piece of garbage article. Straight to the trash.
Please look at the root of all the unrest, and stop trying to garner sympathy for APM and DPP.
The issue. The constitutional right of every individual was violated when election process was compromised and election results altered. That’s what’s sparking the anger.
Wasting everyone’s time while the case runs in court. It is in the best interest of the country that this case goes to trial. If DPP, Jane Ansah and APM have clean hands, why are they afraid of going to court to answer the charges that have been brought against them. If you are innocent, go ahead and prove your innocence.
Walemba zizizi ndi mwana wa hule.Make ndi hule lenileni polowetsa anthu ambirimbiri and hope iweyo bamboo ako sukuwadziwa.
I can not agree more with the writer. True, Mkango ukanyowa sindekuti si mkango.
Adpp inuuuu….mutinamizepo apa.
So here whoever you’re writing this article in disguise of Editorial, think that the elections produced the real will of the people? Do you really with all your heart think that the figures which MEC released are the correct figures???? I for one don’t think so. If it were true that Mutharika freely elected & truly won the elections why the rush to be sworn in & inauguration??????
If he was a true democrat he’ll accept that he is illegitimate leader in the light of irregularities of 21 May election. The evidence is overwhelming for the world to behold, now as constitutional lawyer he should be ethical than siding with his misguided evil cronies.
Apm wanyanya kufatsa ndiye mmalawi ukafatsa amakutenga ngati opusa so mr preasdent akuyenela kuchitapo kenakake kuti mwina asamujayile.MMALAWI AMADANA NDI CHILUNGAMO
When you have stollen something and the owner accuses you of theft which you know is true, the best you can do is to keep cool other than making noise. That is exactly what Peter Mutharika is doing. So, your reading of Mutharika the Author is totally wrong. If he was a true democrat, he would not have stollen the votes through tippex.
DPP SYMPATHISER!!!
you have written a very biased article here!
i hope you have pocketed some dirty moniez from THIS STUPID DPP!!!
if you are professional enough, can you say that Malawi had a free, fair and credible general elections in May, 2019?
useless article!!!
Mbava sibwezera man
Sukudziwa chimene ukulankhula, kudekha sikupusa m’bale wanga
That’s what happens when one writes articles when they are off their meds.Take your meds son.
@ Chikulupati cha ku chakaz have you taken yours?? I mean meds papa…
Take your meds.son hahahahah
you first brav
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