Mutharika warns against treason, to remain president: Malawi political turmoil deepens

President Peter Mutharika says he will remain the sworn leader of this country until the successor comes in warning of treason if anyone undermines this.

President Mutharika: I will remain Malawi president , there can never be a power vacuum

In his recorded State of Nation Address (SONA) delivered in Parliament on Friday, June 5, 2020, the president was blunt he was holding to power through a mandate he got from the people after the ballot.

“I was voted by the people as President exactly through the same process that voted for every Member of Parliament and ward councillors. And I was sworn in as President of this country,” the 80-year-old leader said.

“Section 83 of The Constitution of Malawi prescribes the foundational constitutional order of this country,” he said.

According to Section 83, ‘The President shall hold office for five years from the date that his or her oath of office was administered, but shall continue in office until his or her successor has been sworn in.’

Mutharika issued a dire warning that there can never be a power vacuum in the presidency and that he will continue to wield power until he hands over the sword-of-command to his successor  – who will be duly elected  – whenever that will be.

“Those of you who are plotting otherwise will be undermining the constitutional order and therefore committing treason,” he warned.

His comments come amidst claims from opposition to consider having a presidential council after July 3 to manage the transition until fresh presidential elections.

In his presentations during a seminar on the fresh presidential election organised by civil society organisations (CSOs) in Lilongwe, lawyer Justin Dzonzi warned that the office of the President will be deemed vacant if no fresh election is conducted within the period prescribed by the five-judge panel of the High Court of Malawi sitting as the ConCourt.

On his part, Garton Kamchedzera, who is a professor of law at Chancellor College—a constituent college of the University of Malawi,  corroborated, saying  his reading of the law is that if there is no election by July 3, then it will create a vacancy in the presidency and the country will then have to hold elections within 60 days.

In his address, Mutharika challenged legislators to decide whether to hold elections or postpone until the coronavirus pandemic is managed.

“Let us admin we have a dilemma between going to an election too soon or preventing the spreading of coronavirus.

“As a nation, we need to make a collective decision. This parliament must make its voice heard before the people,” he said.

He said “Parliament is more supreme above the Courts” because members are elected to represent the people with the authority to make laws for the Judiciary to interpret.

In his address titled; “Balancing Development and Politics: Renewing Our Love for Our Country”, Mutharika tackled a number of issues affecting Malawians and how his government continues to address them in order to better the lives of the citizenry.

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Wawi
Wawi
3 years ago

Peter kulila kwako tamva koma pepani mwachedwa 150 days inali yokwanila kukhinza zithu usanakane kusayina ma bill pano yakuthera ma book sunawerenge mokwanila amalamula akumalawi kuno anzako akadzuka mmawa akumakapanga zomwezo ku ma office iwe umagwira yophunzitsa. Kukanakhala bwinonkusaliziwa lamulo koma kungoliziwa lamulolo ndilomwe lizakuweruze

nafundo zalo
nafundo zalo
3 years ago

ndikaesa iwe ndi Jeni munkalatsana ndalama kuseli!!!
munthu wamba cant just get out of bed, use his hard earned money to buy TIPPEX and do the doggy business!!! crazy man!!! you dont know how people in the villages find it hard to just spend the little money for their essential needs.
You still dont know ukungogwilizila cabe u mpandou.?????

PARA
3 years ago

It us treasonous for judges to create a power vacuum when the constitution has already taken care of that. It might be a good idea to impeach those corrupt and incompetent judges.

Noxy
3 years ago

The top notch defender of Malawi constitution is the President so APM is right. Let the courts and judges not manipulate the constitution for the sake of installing Chakwera and Chilima to fulfill their personal goals.

Good critic Mtamba
Good critic Mtamba
3 years ago

When i read the comments I just out that muthalika is lackin wisdom I don’t why may be coz of age he should just go out of that position

Josh
Josh
3 years ago

The treason APM is talking about would have to be proven before the same judges he is denigrating. Doesn’t anyone see the irony in all this? The executive and the legislature can not finalize everything on their own. For final interpretation of the laws, we still have to go to the courts. The 3 arms of Govt are co-equal: None is above the other. They complement each other. APM shouldn’t forget that it was the same courts which saved him from a very real treason case in 2012/13 and it was the same courts which ensured that he could be… Read more »

Monosile
Monosile
3 years ago

Have observed that Malawi does not have intellectuals who have wisdom. Everyone making comments is doing that to protect the interest of his or her party or just for fame. Did not expect, lawyers, clergy, chiefs, business leaders to differ on something they could come together for the consensus for the good of Malawi. Malawi has people who can mobilise themselves and come up with decision that can embrase every citizen of this country. Currently the voters have not been consulted or heard on political dilemma in this country . I would be to the opinion of having refrendum instead… Read more »

King
King
3 years ago

Amp has not been campaigning.now I know the reason why.they would like to postpone this election.they know it’s hard to win.tricky times

mchisala
mchisala
3 years ago

What is treasonous to Malawi (and Malawians) is clueless Mutharika’s leadership: incompetent, corrupt and lacking respect for rule of law!!! Well-meaning Malawians fighting that can not and will NEVER be treasonous by any stretch of the definition of treason!!!

Mbwiyache Sulali
3 years ago

The problem with a lot of the half baked judges in the judiciary is that they forget Muntharika was part of writing that very same constitution.

mchisala
mchisala
3 years ago

Dumb Mutharika was neither present nor among the resource persons relied upon for putting together our beautiful Constitution and we should be happy for it—the guy is extremely dull to contribute anything positive!!

nafundo zalo
nafundo zalo
3 years ago
Reply to  mchisala

while was busy for good 40 years abroad busy with the cheap chicks in South Bend.
bastard.
you are triyin to pull strings to protect yourself from this DIRTY DEAL OF MUST. IDIOT

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