Mzuzu youth hold protests: Petitions Malawi President Mutharika

Business was stand still in Mzuzu on Monday morning when the group of youth launched peaceful protests against President Peter Mutharika’s government, defying heavy police presence in the city centre.

The youth staged the demonstration demanding the DPP led government to come up with drastic measures to solve the food shortage and economic crisis that has rocked the country.

The demonstrations started at Katoto Secondary school grounds and they moved to Nkhata-bay road to Mzuzu city council where a petition was delivered.

Speaking before handing over the petition to the chief executive officer for Mzuzu City Assembly, Andrew Longwe who was secretary of the events told the marchers that as the youth it is high time that government should do something  to address the economic meltdown that is also making more youth to be jobless.

The youth delivered the petition to Mzuzu chief executive officer Macloud Kadamanja entitled, “the worsening economic hardships, food shortage and the suffering of Malawians.”

The youth have given government an ultimatum of 21 days to act and 7 days to respond in writing the demands carried in the petition.

They warned government to brace for more mass demonstrations if there will no action to their demands.

“Demonstrations are going to increase in all parts of the country, and with greater intensity, until Mutharika takes action to address our concerns,” said the petitioners.

“We want our leaders to take the country out of its economic crisis or else they should resign and allow competent people take over,”

“This is the beginning of bigger demos to come. The police and security should not treat us with heavy-handedness because we are hungry and angry,” Frank Kaunda one of the youth protesting said.

This follows demands by opposition to have President Peter Mutharika to resign peacefully within 90 days.

Mutharika said on Saturday that his administration was in control of the food crisis ravaging the poor southern African nation.

The President said several measures have been put in place to check the crisis, adding: “The government is in full control”.

He, however, disputed media reports that people have already started to starve to death.

Mutharika said he will give a national address on the food situation