Mutharika tells UN Malawi polls were ‘credible’: Obama tips on democrcay
President Peter Mutharika has told global leaders meeting in New York, US that he was elected Malawi’s fifth Head of State in May elections widely criticised as chaotic but he said they were “credible.”
In his maiden address to the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday as Malawi leader, Mutharika told the gathering that the southern African nation on May 20 2014 held its first ever tripartite elections, which enabled Malawians to choose their political leadership, through a democratic and peaceful process.
“ The elections ushered me into office, as the fifth President of the Republic of Malawi,” he said.
Mutharika, however, said despite the “few challenges”, generally the polls were “free, fair, transparent and credible.”
“ In this vein, let me seize this opportunity, to thank all electoral stakeholders, both local and international, for their dedication to ensuring successful elections in my country,” he said, adding: “ Malawi has come out of the election much stronger than before.”
However, the nation is currently facing growing divisions amidst calls for federal system of government and others advocating for the North Malawi independence so that the region can be a standalone state like South Sudan.
In his address to the UN Assembly, US President Barack Obama noted that Malawi had “ peaceful transitions of power .”
But Obama pointed out in his speech that the path to democracy does not end with the casting of a ballot.
He told the Assembly that Nelson Mandela once said: “to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
According to Obama, true democracy demands that citizens cannot be thrown in jail because of what they believe, and businesses can be opened without paying a bribe. It depends on the freedom of citizens to speak their minds and assemble without fear; on the rule of law and due process that guarantees the rights of all people.
“In other words, true democracy – real freedom – is hard work. Those in power have to resist the temptation to crack down on dissent.
“In hard economic times, countries may be tempted to rally the people around perceived enemies, at home and abroad, rather than focusing on the painstaking work of reform.”
In his address, the Malawi leader told the UN Assembly that much as the country has made some strides in the diverse sectors of national development 50 years after independence, there is still more to be done, in order to uplift the living standards of the many Malawians, who continue to remain below the poverty line.
“They too dream of a better future that is only possible if we work with unity of purpose,” he said.
Mutharika said “in a quest to take development to their micro level,” his government has embarked on a journey, to transform Malawi, for the delivery of satisfactory services to Malawians especially the poor and the marginalized.
The Malawi leader also stressed the importance of this year’s session as it will oversee the development and adoption of the Post-2015 Development Agenda which is to set the path of global sustainable development for decades to come.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
ayao angaluse ndiwe opanda mzeru, APM is our predident whether you like it or not am proud to be ruled by professionations lets focus on our problems that is in our hands our neighbours are progressive but we still in an ancient day please Malawi if we love our current presint we will prosper
pa chilomwe timati ‘oruwanawo muruwanege phaama’ (kutukwanako muzitukwana bwino)
f***k u APM
We are one people, one nation, but our comments are not fair enough to others.Let’s learn to contribute, to critisise where necessary.Palibe ufulu onyoza ena ngati ulipo ndiuzeni.
Only God knows
I think Apm has become more uselessness man usandikumbuse za elections chifukwa ine Dausi ndinavutika kugwebana nawo onse bungwe okhuza zisankho. apo ndiye atapanga kapingizoli ndi zotsatira. siuja ine sindinatulawe tulo kwa masiku anai kuwabera komanso kukanitsitsa kuwerenganso mavoti apo otsutsa atawirima ndi mkwiyo titawonetsa luso powabera. lero peter watha mantha kuwauza azungu kuti tinawina mwabwinobwino? Ndiwe chitsiru kwambiri ukhoza kutiphesa
Rubbish,, Which election did Peter and DPP win, thieves and looters, you will reap what you sow
APM ndi mbuzi yamunthu,u are very useless to all malawians,why u take us for granted?fuck u mr.APM
Zinthu zina zili straight forward, kodi a president ayamba kusuta? Why deviating from real facts about the electoral process. Mukutiwawisa mitimatu. Go forward Mr president and not backwards! Kikikiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
He is repeating everywhere that elections were fair and credible why? He knows it wasn’t. The North has never called for federal Govt so strong in the past if I remember. Some MPs from the Centre have also echoed same ideas of federal Govt. funny enough, the President hasn’t come to his senses that he is driving the country int a cliff. Leaders are supposed. To. unite not divide. His brother managed to bring Malawians together during his first term. Malawians were very close and never did we hear of Mtumbuka,Mlomwe thing. Now we know why the bro got astray. I think it was APM. The divisive ideas he has planted will be very difficult to uproot. He has planted hatred between Malawians which will be difficult to solve. Unfortunately, the man has expired. I think he doesn’t care what happens because he will be gone soon. Lets open up our eyes my fellow Malwians and unite regardless of where we come from and put these Gogos to shame
Tikati ndale zimamveka bwino mziko mukakhala zipani zambir kapena titi multparty. Kumalawi tikati twonesese ili ngati africa ndi america kufuna kumadyelana masuko pamutu. Achina mpoto pano aseguka maso ndipo ndikuwapanga encourage kuti azizilamulila chifukwa apondelezedwa mokwana. Kumpoto kukupezeka coal, mafuta mu nyanja, chimanga 3/4 chikupezeka kumalawi ndi mpoto so why akupondelezedwa mu zambiri? Tiziti poti ndi minorities? Mulungu ama peleka nzelu kwa kapolo nthawi ikakwana yoti athawire mu ndende or ndendeyo atakutila ndi mawaya owopya bwanji. Achina mpoto tiyeni noza tikhale pa tokha tivutika nthawi yochepa koma kwinko titukuka mwina kuposa blantyre komanso Lilongwe. Tiyeni tigwilane manja tisabwelele m’mbuyo tikhale patokha basi
choka iwe kapanda kuba ukanawina iwe kaye masaya
Obama was telling you my president of bad behaviours telling you to respect other peoples views in democracy you lied to him that the election were credible when you ended in court to win because they couldn’t recount the votes because of time and bribing Mbendera and you call that credible well God will do what you deserve for breaking millons of peoples hearts
Number 14 and 27 you are very cheap minded pple. Mwina muli kwina kwake and not in Malawi. Peter stole elections. We ve seen what he did. amalawi si zitsilu ai. The Malawi elections were not credible. Ai mwawina. One day , I mean one day, the truth will come out. Somewhere, the Living Lord will come to Malawi’s rescue and Will expose all this.
Obama Has Prove This Country Is Not Free Untill DDP Accept The Will Of Citizens Like Federalism. Why All This Time Nothern Malawi Decide This…The Truth Is Always On The Side Of The Oppressed. Raph Kasambala Is Heading To You Mr President On Cashgate List Trust Me Dnt Delay The Process By Your Tricks Lets Know The Truth
Uli ndi bodzaaaaaaa
Comment # 51 : why are you surprised? Malawians bring each other down. They never support one another.. Look at how they curse their own President, friends , parents etc…how do we expect an outsider to even respect the people we castigate openly on the forums. From JB to Peter civility has been thrown out of the window.
We have to start respecting ourselves and then others will respect us. These forums nowadays are stages for showing how good one can disrespect the other, There is little being debated and the world reads this. how do you expect them to think Malawians have heads that can sit around a table to map out something concrete for the future of their country,
No wonder all our neighbours have progressed and Malawi is still in the 1960s
Ndilankhula mu Chilankhuro chothyakuka kuti timvanepo apa. Ndikamatsatira History ya dziko la malawi pomwe kale lidali mmanja mwa azungu, Nkhondo yolimbana ndi ulamuliro wa azungu, idayambika ndi John Chilembwe yemwe kwao kunali ku Chiradzulu, apa nkuti anthu atafika potopa ndi ulamulirowu, Chilembwe ndi anthu ake sadalamule dzikoli, koma kunabwera wina amenenso analimba mtima kuzachotsa nyansi za azungu. Dr Banda adakhala msogoleri atalimbana ndaazungu. Dr banda adalamulira dziko ndi mzeru zimene amaziziwa malinga ndi maphunziro ake, adaphunzitsa anthu chikhalidwe, kuzidalira, ndi zina zotero, malawi munthawi ya kamuzu anthu akasiyanisa ndi ulamuliro wa azungu, adali ndi kukomera kwake komanso kuipa kwake. Kenako kunabwera ganizo la ulamuliro wa zipani zambiri, anthu anasankha ulamulirowu, Apa kunabwera mkulu amene anaoneka kulimba mtima, Chakufwa Chihana amene analimbikisa anthu, nkakumbukira ine inali Arfod, victory, zala ziwiri mmwamba and anthu adamukonda mkuluyu, ndipo adakakhala msogoleri oyamba wa ulamuliro wa Zipani zambiri, koma zidakanika, ntazifunsa ine pandenkha ndi ena, mau anali kundiuza anali oti, Ufumu sagula ndi ndalama, kutanthauza kuti, ufumu ndi mphatso ya ulamuliro mosayang’ana maonekedwe, chuma, kochokera komanso ukulu.
He is guilty and stupid advisors he has wrongly told him to touch on elections shiiiit you shouldn’t have. I thought those countries sent observers who already gave reports to their government’s????? Poor president. …
When are we going to gave a president who says the truth? How can a Full president of the country lie to the whole world that he won the elections? Shame on you.
Gave=have
I agree with Peter because all the stakeholders declared the elections free, fair and credible. Only stake holders local and international have the right to be heard on this one not a player who wants to be a ref.
bravo !my president brova! malawi bravo !!APM asakufuna akakolope kuchimbongondo
Ufunika kulemba article titled Mtumbuka sazatheka….anthu okanika asakhwi or they do is complain and never come up with suggestions or solutions…they just whine day in day out..olo Khumbo kachale atakhala president olo Inkosi Mbelwa itakhale president mtumbuka sangatheke..ngokanika….anakokelana ambilimbili kukatenga ma degree kunja and what have they done for malawi?? Let alone their beloved tchile of a home in the north??? Nothing!!! Angotukwanana ndikumenyana ku livingstonia sinod….NDATI!! MTUMBUKA SAZATHEKA..ndipo if the north becomes independent trust me it will be like burundi or afghanistan tizavutika tonse nkhondo siyizizatha among themselves ndi ti anthu tamakani tokanika…MTUMBUKA SAZATHEKA!!!!!G
Ufunika kulemba article titled Mtumbuka sazatheka….anthu okanika asakhwi or they do is complain and never come up with suggestions or solutions…they just whine day in day out..olo Khumbo kachale atakhala president olo Inkosi Mbelwa itakhale president mtumbuka sangatheke..ngokanika….anakokelana ambilimbili kukatenga ma degree kunja and what have they done for malawi?? Let alone their beloved tchile of a home in the north??? Nothing!!! Angotukwanana ndikumenyana ku livingstonia sinod….NDATI!! MTUMBUKA SAZATHEKA..ndipo if the north becomes independent trust me it will be like burundi or afghanistan tizavutika tonse nkhondo siyizizatha among themselves ndi ti anthu tamakani tokanika…MTUMBUKA SAZATHEKA!!!!!
Malawian speeches at the UN General Assembly do not attract huge audiences may be thats why our Presidents carry with them large delegations to clap hands after the delivery of the speech kkkkkkk
It is stupid and insulting for malawians to be tald that the elections were free and fair to say the list the worst elections to have taken place in malawian history, if what happened at bvumbe polling center is fail and credible elections then malawi.is a doomed country every body voted registered and un registered, muthalika did not win and the elections were far from.being free, fare let alone credible be wise GOD is watching you and soon you will also be following you stupid late kahuna your brother stupid political self people i hate you all
Fweseki, ukunamiza ndani?
When Comrade Mugabe was delivering his speech, the hall was full to capacity and very attentive. It tells a lot when our President delivered to below half in attendance. Our President for sure got something from this because even when Kagame makes a speech coming from a small Country just like Malawi people are keen to listen. A Malawi why us?
This is total nosense and embarassing. Basi kutenga anthu 68 kukakhala ku America masiku 25 kumakadandaula za chisankho choti munabela? Mudzilamulira nokha chaka chino ndipo sitidzakumverani mpang’ono pomwe. Kupanda manyazi.
Obama you are the man. Teach this guy who calls himself president of Malawi. Being one is not equivalent of oppressing your own people. Democracy doesnt end at ballots but beyond all sort of freedoms; freedom of speech, assembly, affiliation, and the list is long. Now give citizens the opportunity to express what they want not what you and your party want simply because you are in the driving seat. Thank you.
@nyapapi you are the useless animal I have ever seen APM never won that is afact that is why he is going alover the world to covince. those leaders know the truth so go down with your sheet of insulting people from north
Do you have facts on this one? I think you have been brain washed by bad losers.
I TOLD YOU OVER AND OVER AGAIN THE TRUTH CAN BE EXTRACTED ONLY FROM SIDE OF THE OPPRESED..LET THEM DECIDE AND SPEAK THEIR RIGHT AND CHOICE NOT BY DDP’S MANUPILATED GOVERMENT..I WAS THERE I SAW WHAT HAPPEN..EVENTUALY ALL MALAWIANS WILL LEARN THE TRUTH FROM TUMBUKAS A STRONG UNITED TRIBE THAN ANY OTHER ON EARTH..THEY HAVE A BLOOD DEEP LOVE FOR EACH OTHER AND THE DANCE ONE TUNE DESPITE DIFFERENCE IN THEIR DANCING STEPS…
Useless president with empty promises
Atumbuka inu musamatinyanse ngati simukufuna kulamulilidwa ndi munthu yemwe anawina voti go ahead with creating your stupid country!
Big up Nyasatimes, this article is well balanced.
This is no time to talk about credibility of 2014 Malawi elections guilty one…!!!!
Do we believe in what we say or its just fulfilling a schedule which we even dont care about as long as we wine and dine in the populous Astoria Hotel. Can we really tell the world which knows us much better than we understand ourselves that we as a nation has come out stronger from this year’s elections than before? Are we such cowards to face, tell the truth. If we live in denial how can we resolve the divisions that Malaw is facing as a nation, mind my word, as a “nation” and not a “country”.
Good speech, good content. I recommend that the President rehearses his speeches, so that the delivery comes out naturally. I’m also disappointed that he addressed a half empty hall, in some cases no single country delegate was available. Kodi anthu amangopita ku New York for shopping and sight seeing eti? Shouldn’t they be in the hall when heads of state give their statements? I’m looking forward to the time my president addresses a full assembly hall.
Free wake uti? Mulibe manyazi kunamiza mitundu ya anthu ku UN ko?
Nanga mukaniranji kuwerenganso mavoti?
Nanga bwanji Mbendera anakhetsa misozi ya ng’ona?
Nanga bwanji munachita phuma kukalumbiritsidwa pa khoti?
Nanga bwanji munawotcha warehouse ya MEC?
Nanga bwanji ma million anathera mthumba mwa ma judge ndi ma lawyer?
True. Indeed free, fair and credible elections save for those crying and federalists Mzomera and his group.
rigged election
Hey guys,kumaganizapo pangono Malawi is a very small country it does not need to be divided into two territories tikusangalal m,mene zinthu zilili pakali pano, what will you beneit iif the country is devided ngati munali mphawi mungokhalabe mphawi chofunika ndi kulimba kumagwila nchito kuti mupeze chakudya chokwanila basi
Please take note what Ban ki Moon and Obama have said. Marry the two then you get the picture of what US and UN think of Malawi: too much room for improvement. If we want to be taken seriously,then we have to read between the lines and improve. NOT believe what we percieve to be. We are deficient on international standards.
Yes tinamusankhadi , kuti choonguu, kapena Diinduu .
That’s obvious..no one can stand on that podium and say I rigged elections.
Palibe zeru posakha mutharika
Kapolo wathu iwe ukunama zoona ungamati chisankho chija chinali credible ? Ma mistake onse aja ok UMFA IFA YANGATI YA M’bale wako uja uona polekera ndinkhope yofunika panel & biting yo mxiiiiiiiiii
FREE, FAIR, TRANSPARENT AND CREDIBLE WAS NOT THERE WE COULD HEAR FROM OTHER ANGLES THAT ALOT HAD MISTAKES—— [ KUBELA ]
OBAMA SENSE ======== TELL THE MALAWI PRESIDENT THE TRUTH.
Pdter plz swallow your pride and take Obamas pieces of advice seriously. Dont cheat the world that u were elected in a free fair and credible election becz the whole world knows that Mbendera and Kenyata nyirenda carried u at the back. Pple are waiting for u here to face 24% salary demos and it is not north alone, centre is in support of federalism Kaya wasala wekha ndi ulomwe wako. The lower states are also in support
Mbuzi Pitala. Very tribalistic and deserves death which is coming to him soon. The man is 80 years and him and Goodall Gondwe will kiss goodbye in less than 10 years. Ukalamba ulibe 2 koloko.
PETER MUTHARIKA YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE U S A FOR OVER FOURTY YEARS / YOU HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE OF HOW THINGS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE BUT YOU ARE RUNNING A COUNTRY LIKE SOMEBODY WHO HAS NEVER BEEN ABROARD AT ALL .!!! YOU BRING SHAME TO MALAWIANS TO CALL YOU OUR PRESIDENT SERIOUSLLY !!
The whole world know’s that the elections were free and fair. Anybody who thinks MCP or PP won the elections is frankly STUPID and fond of barking.
IF THAT IS THE CASE ,WHY ARE WE IN DOUTFUL. WHO ASKED US,AND WHO NEED THE EXPLANATION.
OBAMA ANSWERED, THEN WHAT ARE YOU SAYING BIG MAN? THE WHOLE WOURLD IS STUPIT AND FOND OF BARKING. BIG MAN SHAME ON YOU.
Are you sure you understand what Obama said?
A big man aka Bowler musatinyase apa. Tazingopangani sexually harass atsikana ku missioniko. Machende anu
Ask MEC on whether the elections were credible or not. by the way what do you expect from PITALA on his contribution to the debate whether the elections were credible or not?
The truth is that Malawi has come out of the elections more “regionally” divided than before…..not stronger! Look at the secession and federalism debates!
Muthalika tells UN Malawi Polls were credible & fair, Can u believe it! This president always talk lies.
Akunama anasankhidwa mma system a ma computer, ballot onyowa ndipo madzi, mavoti amene kuti tiwa balance lero, akhoza kungokawotchapo,
He is lying he was elected in computer manupulations, figures were factured, recounting the votes he refused and was declared winner midnight, after being so heavily critised by many people for refusing to allow recounting process.
God knows who won elections and He also know who stole elections by the means of computer numbering and tampering
36% mpaka kulongolola choncho zaziiiiiiiiiii
credible??!!! free n fair kkkl.devil,satana, dyabulosi usankha wekha udasowa zokamba
zachamba zimenezo
Koma Pitala ndiozerezeka, zoona anganene kuti “he was elected, instead of saying that he stole the vote and came through the back window to rule” shittiiiii apa ndiyeeeee!
My foot!!! which elections were you refering to Peter? No wonder but your days in state house are numbered, keep lying!!!!!
Hehehe free and,fair or free and frail? GOD KNOWS,WHAT,EXACTLY HAPPENED IF OUR ASSERTIONS ARE WRONG WE SHOULD BE FORGIVEN. If indeed free why reprimanding innocent souls? My piece of jawbreaker
AM GLAD OBAMA KNOWS A LOT ABOUT MALAWI.
EG TO GET GOV BUSINESS U HAVE TO BE A MULLIE AND U HAVE TO BRIBE UR WAY THRU.
MORE SO CASTING A BALLOT ALINE NOT ENOUGH NURTURING DEMOCRACY.
BRAVO OBAMA. FEDERAL SYSTEM THE ONLY WAY OUT. WE CANT HAVE ONE COFNER OF MALAWI EATINNG OUR CAKE!!!!
Which elections were free & fair? My president just plunder our money dont lie to world that you were elected in free & fair way. We know whon won elections not you
Thom, you report with independent mind unlike the tenthani,s whose mission is always to promote pp and jb agendas. Keep on giving us unbiased coverage
Plasdent walomwe kukamwa ngati mbuzi anakuvotela anthu kapena munapeleka ndalama kwambendela? Awuzeni anthuwo zeni zeni
Munthuyo akunena zoona chisankho chidayenda bwino
i agree with number 1. Balanced reporting. Kaninso mumatha zinthuzi?
Fair and credible? May be our president was speechless when granted the opportunity to speak
This is liar Malawi Election was not Credible! Malawi Electoral Commission Warehouse in Lilongwe was set on fire to destroy evidence of rigging…So far nothing has been done about it…The MEC Chair and MEC who failed to deliver credible Election Results are still working at MEC, MEC Chair and the entire team at MEC have vote of no Confidence from Malawians…MEC is continuing to conduct By-Elections amidst of lack of transparency and accountability…
Government is awarding Mulli Brothers Limited Contracts and unlawfully compansating it out of court settlements billions of Kwachas for loss of contracts in the Joyce Banda administration
Thanks Mr Obama for pointing out Important things on Good Governance… Good Governance does not end with Casting Ballots,there is a lot of Hard Work and Commitment! Malawians want Federal System of Government to save Malawi from these greedy politicians!
Musanamize anthu, chisankho munachita kubera.
I am happy the issue of federal government had been addressed by Peter Muthalika in UN assemble by himself. Who is Vuwa kaunda,bishops. Has the president refused? or Has the president refused that the May 20 election had many challedges? Central and Northerners dziko la dziwa za federal tsopano ntchito ndi kuziwisa anthu kuti aza vote bwino. Azambelazo. We do not want MEC chairman .
You went to UN 10 days earlier to tell the world that??? What is wrong with this dunderhead????
OBAMA SAID IT WELL,AND NOW ITS UP TO APM TO BRING ALL WHAT WAS SAID IN PLACTICE.
The speech was boring. Not captivating at all. Looks like the muckraker was right. This guy can’t talk. He was literally reading. Content and presentation were equally mediocre.
It’s a good cooked speech , full of stories. Malawi has been divided because of rigging .
Bwana APM mwakhwana wakwiya ndimfiti
Good reporting nyasa times