PAC meets HRDC after Mutharika dialogue over Malawi political impasse

August 3, 2019 Nyasa Times Reporter Be the first to comment

The Public Affairs Committee (Pac)mediation team led by Archbishop Thomas Msusa on Saturday engaged  members of Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) in Lilongwe a to thrash out probable solutions to the post-May 21 Tripartite Elections impasse a day after a deadlock meeting with President Peter Mutharika.

Presidents Mutharika and His Grace Msusa  after the meeting PAC
PAC dialogue team meets HRDC

PAC met Mutharika for close to three hours at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre and reportedly asked clergy  to meet civil society organisations (CSOs) operating under the banner HRDC, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president Lazarus Chakwera and UTM leader Saulos Chilima.

Both PAC and State House described the meeting as “very cordial, fruitful and constructive”.

According to Pac Executive Director Robert Phiri, it was evident PresidentMutharika said is committed to promoting peace in the country.

“The final agreement I can say is that the government is committed to dialogue and promotion of peace. He told us that his doors will always be open to continue with dialogue.

“Based on what was discussed, we will have to reach out to HRDC and the presidents of UTM and MCP,” said Phiri.

HRDC vice chairperson Gift Trapence vowed to conduct more demonstrations until Malawi Electoral Commission chairperson Jane Ansah resigns, or is fired.

The PAC mediation team comprised Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa (team leader) from the Episcopal Conference of  Malawi (ECM), Sheikh Ali Kennedy from the Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM), Pastor Towera Masiku from Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM), Sheikh Amir Jafaar Kawinga of Quadria Muslim Association of Malawi (Qmam), Malawi Council of Churches (MCC) Bishop Gilford Matoga and Phiri, who is also recording secretary for the team.

The Presidential mediation team, which was led by Mutharika himself, had presidential adviser on political affairs Francis Mphepo and Bright Msaka, who is Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) vice-president for the Eastern Region.

Last week, former president Bakili Muluzi first met HRDC leadership and later Mutharika in his quest to also seek a political solution to the stalemate but, again, nothing was divulged after Muluzi met Mutharika.

 

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