Persons with albinism group rejects Mutharika again: ‘Our demands are an open secret’

The Association of People with Albinism in Malawi (Apam) has again rejected an invitatio to meet President Peter Mutharika at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe for “dialogue” before their protest vigils slated for March 6 to 8 at State House, saying the President should address their demands which are “an open secret”.

Kondowe: Mutharika and his ministers are peddling lies on the security of people with albinism

A presidential adviser on non-governmental organisations Mavuto Bamusi and chairperson of the Presidential Taskforce on People With Albinism, Hetherwick Ntaba, who is also a presidential aide asked Apam executive and trustees to meet Mutharika twice last week but the invitations was turned down.

On Tuesday, Chief Secretary in the Office of President and Cabinet Lloyd Muhara issued a communication seen by Nyasa Times inviting the Persons With Albinism and other stakeholders  to a dialogue meeting with President Mutharika this Thursday.

But Apam president Overstone Kondowe in a statement made available to Nyasa Times  declined the fresh invitation.

Kondowe said Mutharika should address their demands as contained in several petitions about the challenges people with albinism [PWAs] face which were submitted to him.

“Specifically , we demand the immediate implementation of the National Action Plan which sets out clear parameters on how the myriad challenges must be addressed. Government is on record to have committed K3 billion,” reads the statement from APam in part.

“As Apam, this is the central focus of our core demands. It is our view that this does not necessitate another forum as our demands are an open secret,” it adds.

Apam’s refusal to meet the President before the planned vigils comes days after the association withdrew from the Ntaba-chaired task force following Minister of Homeland Security Nicholas Dausi’s remarks that atrocities against PWAs had not reached levels where they should hold vigils at State House or seek asylum abroad.

Dausi has apologised and withdrawn his insensitive remarks.

But the association which has also met several stakeholders, including the country’s Vice-President Saulos Chilima who also leads UTM Party and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president Lazarus Chakwera, say  the honourable thing for Dausi to do would be resigning as minister.

Commentator Stanley Onjezani Kenani  Has said APAM)l  is right in turning down the “made-for-the-cameras” meeting with the President, “whose half-hearted attempts at ending the killings of people with albinism leave no one in doubt that there will be no tangible outcome. “

He wrote on Facebook: “They will provide Fanta, no doubt. Then they will make empty speeches in which they will express their ‘commitment’ to the security of persons with albinism. After that, they will pose for MBC TV and newspaper cameras, then everyone will go home.

“The real reason the President wants to meet them is to stem the political fall-out from his casual approach of handling the situation. He wants votes, not their well-being.

“Two weeks ago, the president told the nation blatant lies that he had ordered the Police to step up patrols, and that the army too had been ordered to help. His cabinet minister ridiculed the cause of albinism, and some accused people are pointing fingers at the government as being behind the killings. So far suspects in two killings committed ‘suicide’, while the third was murdered by the police only last week.”

Kenani says he sees no sense of urgency in this, except lies and mockery and a desperate attempt to give an impression that something is being done to stop the killings.

Meanwhile, Apam’s planned vigils are scheduled to be preceded by a solidarity march from Lilongwe Community Centre ground through Parliament Building to Kamuzu Palace to petition the President.

 

 

 

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Hen Chinkhuku
5 years ago

Iwe Kondowe ukunamizidwatu..chenicheni ukufuna ndi chiani? vigil or protection? ukayambe kwanuko vigil yakoyo ndikuphunzitsanso onse akumakugulitsani wo..ngakhale ulilire asayilamu….tafunsa omwe akhalako ku England zomwe amachita azungu kunnyoza munthu wokuda….kwake..ukuganiza kuti akakulemekezako???? think twice before you become a puppet to those fueling you to decline dialogue with the president. What you should do is : 1) Sign a declaration of LOVING by all parents / relatives that are keeping / parenting any of you. 2) Sign a declaration of PROTECTION by Communities that are keeping any of you 3) Sign a declaration of REPORTING ANY EVIL INTENT TO POLICE & VILLAGE… Read more »

Chilungamo
Chilungamo
5 years ago

Asatitayise nthawi away! Akhale after all they are in minority! So why do you want to hold a Virgil at the state House? Why can’t they find their own security?

Tiyanjane
Tiyanjane
5 years ago
Reply to  Chilungamo

I hope your clan has stopped producing children and I hope your children do not carry the gene that causes albanism

Kamankodola
Kamankodola
5 years ago

So why did President Mutharika appoint Ntaba to be a Task Force Chairperson while on the other hand Ntaba is alleged to be among the albino killers.

Are we really serious in trying to find out the truth of the matter? Really?

Shame!!!!!

political comentator
5 years ago

Let me tell you Mr Overstone Kondowe and your APAM of a thing, those people giving you money are misleading you. Do not think that you kick out MUTHALIKA out of his presidential seat, thats a lie. You are now becoming greedy. You are getting funds from other political parties to cling on your decision, you will regret. You better cooperate and work with Government to be secured………..muwauzenso azibale anu amene amakusungani mmakomo mwanumo kuti azikutetezani osati azikuphani ayiii. Security starts at your home.

Mangochi legend
Mangochi legend
5 years ago

APAM has lost direction

I was listening to zodiac program shortly… an interview with Kondowe, ‘we will do the vigil till the president comes out and speak to us’. ndiye apa akukaniranji kukumana naye?

does the issue here make any sense?
much as we are not happy to hear about their myriad demise, still is irrational to deny discussions with someone whom you are always crying upto for help.

kwenikweni APAM ikufuna chani?

Noxy
5 years ago

So what is it that APAM wants????

Zanga Phee
5 years ago

The old saying goes 100 people can force a Cow to drink but cannot drink if it doesn’t want. Yet one person can take 100 cows to drink without any force. The government need to be commended for inviting APAM for the meeting to discuss and iron out the differences. Malawians have all witnessed this and the government need not to worry anymore. Let the APAM president, opposition and CSOs hold the Vigil as per their desire. We will watch them and see what they will yield at the end. (Mwana akalilira Nyanga ya nsasi, umusemere imfotere yekha. Guys it… Read more »

KALYOTO
KALYOTO
5 years ago

Go ahead. The president must do his job. osamangogona tulo. This government is a government of press statements. No tangible action. Talking too much with nothing tangible on the ground. No votes….

JJ Mbewe the Pathfinder
JJ Mbewe the Pathfinder
5 years ago

Look pachithunzi pomwe alipo, wofaifa kale koma makani tho.

Mapwiya Mulupale
Mapwiya Mulupale
5 years ago

Kudos to APAM for refusing to meet Mutharika and his circus. Akufuna akakulipileni, ask UNIMA students who were dressed down like kids. Tanamizidwa mokwanila Amalawi and we need to guard against political rhetoric. So many empty promises and not even 2% has been delivered. Mutharika is not fit for that office and He will do anything just to secure another 5 year holiday at the State House at the expense of the taxpayer.

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