Tembo insists Mutharika should appear before parliament
By Charles Kufa, Nyasa Times
Malawi opposition leader John Tembo is sceptical talks between government and the civil society organizations will yield any positive results, saying his Malawi Congress Party (MCP) not involved.
Tembo, who is also MCP president, said dialogue will not help resolve the impasse that has ensued in the country unless government begins to be honest and listen to issues of general concern.
Speaking on Zodiak Rado’s Tiuzeni Zoonaexclusive interview programme, the veteran politician insisted that Mutharika should appear before National Assembly and “hold talk” with legislators.
“We have been asking the president for dialogue. We asked Mutharika to come to parliament. He refused. That’s a place where we can have disciplined talks,” said Tembo.
He said his MCP party is not part of the on-going dialogue process and has not been formally informed of the same.
Tembo however said his party can join the talks only if they are of “national interest”.
“Malawi should be ready to unite for the good of the people, particularly the rural people who are impoverished,” said Tembo.
Civil society groups want the president to declare his wealth, solve dollar and fuel shortages that have hit the economy and restore diplomatic relations with former colonial ruler and major aid donor Britain.
