The Malawi ‘WhatsApp coup plot’

Malawi Police have charged opposition MCP member Ulemu Msungama for sedition over a  over a conversation on WhatsApp that purportedly talks about how President Peter Mutharika could be forced out of power. Here is part of the WhatsApp conversation the state intelligence has leaked.

27/01/2016, 21:22 – +1 (404) 617-9530: A failed state

27/01/2016, 21:23 – +44 7963 139218: Oooh no! Zolilitsa izi, and Mvula siyikugwa bwino, donors can not support us. Ntchito muli nayo ku parliament ko, be ready because PP nayo yakonzeka for a big fight

27/01/2016, 21:25 – +265 998 58 24 45: What is more troubling for me is the silence from civil society. In the last dpp regime, things were bad but not this bad yet Malawian rose to fight back. This time we seem to be normativising these deadly failures.

27/01/2016, 21:28 – +1 (404) 617-9530: I believe if the opposition leadership is ready to fight, pipo will follow. Pipo always wait for smone to lead & they then cme in #s

27/01/2016, 21:29 – +44 7813 548005: Sad

27/01/2016, 21:29 – +44 7813 548005: Where is that?

27/01/2016, 21:31 – +44 7963 139218: It’s only Billy Mayaya so far and people laugh at him when he takes it to the streets. Last time I talked to Thom Chiumia of Nyasa Times , he said he is planning another Diaspora ultimatum for APM, we will mobilise a big one this time.

27/01/2016, 21:39- +1 (404) 617-9530: If pipo of goodwill cme together in #s, this can cease. Folk hve relaxed beyond belief

27/01/2016, 21:49 – +44 7754 944607: For the government to start listening it will not take opposition leadership but the citizenry who upon rising up will then be backed by the opposition leadership. We a sorry group we don’t want to rise to the cause and in everything we want the opposition leadership while we are fully aware that what we are looking for is the government of the people

27/01/2016, 21:49 – +265 998 58 24 45: Agreed, folks have relaxed, civil society has largely been coopted big time

27/01/2016, 21:51 – +1 (404) 617-9530: The leadership in opposition plays an important role in tackling issues, tgats what pipo r gonna follow, the leadership that stand by them

27/01/2016, 21:52 – +1 (404) 617-9530: Anthu rise up if tgere is a solid leadership to structure the causr & mastermind the dos & donts

27/01/2016, 21:53 – +1 (404) 617-9530: No cause can be effective without proper leadership. Pipo follows those they trust & respect

27/01/2016, 21:54 – +1 (574) 367-2495: Its very sad if people have relaxed chotere, so its like this is normal business as usual.

27/01/2016, 21:55 – +1 (404) 617-9530: Good example, Civil rights, Maumau movement, umkhonto wa sizwe, moral mondays etc

27/01/2016, 21:58 – +44 7754 944607: But in every situation for change to occur it takes the citizenry to rise. How many times after speeches in parliament we are everywhere on social media applauding the points raised without thinking of where we can pick this and put pressure on the government to act on the raised points. A sorry state of citizenry. Do we want opposition leaders to be militant? Is not that the job of citizenry? Think of Egypt

27/01/2016, 21:59 – +44 7963 139218: I presume Diaspora movement should kick start it then the Nation will follow but it’s not easy for MCP as a party to start something, I know the consequences but let the masses do the job, they just need a starting point. Then everyone else will be ok board, these people are suffering and can react so quick.

27/01/2016, 21:59 – +1 (404) 617-9530: Evrything in life needs proper planning for effective results

27/01/2016, 22:02 – +44 7754 944607: Does not opposition have youths who are fearless to tackle the issue head on?

27/01/2016, 22:08 – +265 998 58 24 45: We have youth, pp also has them . I think it 7th a matter of structuring, defining exactly what has to be done, well timed, not reactive, apologetic or too careful, logical etc. Rather, some organised chaos chipping at the elephant from all corners till it falls, all hands on Dec

27/01/2016, 22:08 – +1 (404) 617-9530: We can wrk with our youth for it got to be right minded folk if it is to wrk & get more youths behind us.

27/01/2016, 22:09 – +44 7963 139218: We have the youth in opposition but legally any uprising started by opposition result in treason cases, let’s use the people. I believe if Malawians start it, MCP is ready to take care of them, there might be differences but even those starting this know the potential and opportunities that lies ahead.

27/01/2016, 22:16 – +1 (404) 617-9530: Even aku Egupito anali ndi leadership kungoti coz of their chaotic behaviours, one cld not noticr that. U hve to mastermind anymovement. I remember how we strategised Moral Monday Georgia. U get those whom wants to wrk together & involve their respective organizations & gain support of other right minded organizations, these are ngos, non-profits, civic organizations etc. U hve to hve department minded. Steering, legal structure, legislative, Strategy, General assembly, Insurance comittees

27/01/2016, 22:17 – +1 (404) 617-9530: Faith based organizations also shld play part

27/01/2016, 22:19 – +1 (404) 617-9530: The problem right now DPP & comrades r not taking pipo seriously coz amadziwa akatopa akagona basi & we call it a day

27/01/2016, 22:24 – +1 (404) 617-9530: Civil rights in US & the South African NAC involved people of all walks of life, everyone fitting on their respective professions to help out. Legal, health, insurance, transportation, etc to make sure all angles were covered. R there folk business pipo whom can transport pipo & sacrifice to do that for such a great cause

27/01/2016, 22:25 – +1 (404) 617-9530: Everything in life is a sacrifice, but there is always light @end of tunnel

27/01/2016, 23:03 – +1 (404) 617-9530: Cant just involve the youth without backing them up. That is inhumane. If folk get arrested, will you bail them out; if they get hurt will you give them proper medical support; if they damage property, will you insure them to make sure they r not prosecuted for that; etc

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :