Mutharika’s coup claims is a ‘fairy tale’
Malawi opposition and a top diplomat swifly dismissed the coup claims by President Bingu wa Mutharika, calling them part of a plot to create a pretext for declaring a state of emergency that would give the dictator broad security powers.
Mutharika speaking in his home district of Thyolo on Sunday, claimed he has intelligence reports that some Western donor nations were conniving with local civil society organisations to topple his government through street demonstrations and vigils this month.
He said the climax of ‘Nyasaland spring’has been schedulled for March 14.
The President urged his ruling party youth militia to “do everything possible to rise up and make sure the demonstrations are thwarted”.
He added: “I’ll not accept this nonsense anymore; if donors say this is not democracy, to hell with you…yes, I’m using that word: tell them to go to hell.”
But a top diplomat, who opted not to be named, told Nyasa Times that the claims of a coup plot are a “fairy tale” and “downright delusional” on the part of Mutharika.
The diplomat denied that Western donors are bankrolling a coup, saying the claim is “laughable”.
“The liberation of Malawi is a matter for the people of Malawi. While we support their struggle for democracy, social justice and human rights, we are not part of that struggle,” said the diplomat.
And main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) spokeswoman Nancy Tembo said the coup plot allegations are obviously a ploy to pave the way for further repression of the Malawian people.
Mutharika administration has attempted a number of fake coups through his intelligence and other undetectable intelligence collaborators during his eight year tenure.
His uses treason and coup claims as weapons of clamping down his opponents.
Mutharika charged his former vice president Dr Cassim Chilumpha of plot to overthrow his government.
His predecessor, Bakili Muluzi, was also charged with offences of coup plot. His case did not see any light of the day and others who were wrongly imprisoned on the similar chargs were heavily compensated.
Tired of insults
President Mutharika said he was tired of being “insulted” for his economic and political policies that has seen his administration isolated by Western donors.
“I’m tired of being insulted,” he said. “Let me repeat, opposition leaders and civil society organisations have been insulting me for a long time but enough is enough; I will not accept this nonsense anymore. Even the donors won’t allow anybody to insult their leaders in their countries.”
“I must also ask one thing to all the tribes that are in Malawi, whether you are Lhomwe, Yao, Chewa,Ngoni, Tumbuka, Nkhonde or Tonga, if someone comes to insult your father, do you just stay quiet? Do you expect me just to stay when I am being insulted?”
On opening of the road which has been named after him, Bingu accepted the honours, arguing that despite initiating several development projects, none had borne his name.
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