US ambassador meets Chakwera, calls for Malawi post-elections peace: Flees teargas
Outgoing US ambassador to Malawi Virginia Palmer has called for post-election peace, saying those with complaints on the discredited May 21 Tripartite Elections, should seek justice from the courts.
Palmer said this on Wednesday evening during a farewell cocktail in the Capital City, just hours before herself was caught up in cross fire between disgruntled Malawi Congress Party (MCP) cadres and the police.
Palmer was teargassed as she was meeting with MCP president Lazarus Chakwera the next day, Thursday at party headquarters in Lilongwe.
Ambassador Palmer confirmed she was meeting Chakwera on Thursday as she has been meeting with senior government officials and leaders of major political parties including former president Bakili Muluzi for final meetings as she prepares to depart Malawi.
Palmer said she was forced to hurriedly leave MCP headquarters as police fired teargas at protests outside.
MCP supporters had gathered in the capital Lilongwe in an ongoing protest campaign after the May 21 presidential election, which their leader Chakwera narrowly lost.
“It was my farewell call and I was saying thank you for the friendship and for the important role that he [Chakwera] has done for Malawi over the four-and-a-half years I have been in Malawi,” Palmer said.
Commenting on polls dispute Palmer said: “The election observers said the elections were well managed, transparent and credible but if there are grievances, the complainants should use the judicial system.”
She also asked the government and opposition to work together for the good of Malawi.
“I just call on all parties in Malawi to exercise restraint and proceed peacefully while the MCP court case is going forward,” Palmer said, adding “This is a peaceful country and a democratic country and we all need to respect these norms.”
Chief secretary to government Lloyd Muhara said Malawi will remember Palmer for a good number of development initiatives which include the US$350 Millennium Challenge Compact which seeks to improve electricity generation and distribution.
He also said Palmer facilitated favourable policies to enable Malawi start exporting sugar to the US.
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So APM and Malawi police planned to smoke Her Exellency V Palmer and Chakwera because they were rioting?
Mr. Wanga Gwede or whatever you call yourself…Chakwera lost narrowly to who??? Are you in Malawi or under the sea? Don’t you hear of tippexed results and doctored figures in favour of the so-called winner?
First of all think before you write.
mmmmmmmmm 2024 mpafupi,just wait.Remember 50 + 1 does not apply in Malawi.Blame Chilima for your loss.2024 will be the worst for opposition,no more tippex,but black paint,muyisova
There you are disgruntled MCP, oChakwera and acolytes: The ambassador has reminded you that the elections were run in a fair and transparent manner, and the results were credible. What else do you want to know?This means, you should not expect American support in your childish complaints.
oChakwera is now politically finished; what is left on his part now is a formal resignation as leader of MCP His political demise is imminent as he has struck out twice!
Senior police officers should be fired for another preemptive raid on the MCP property withput fair warning. It was the police that started the violence by attempting to dispurse a peaceful assembly of citizens. It is every citizens right to protest and assemble just not in undemocrate Malawi. Malawi police have forgotten nor have they learned from the protests of 2011 when 53 citizens were shot and foreign nations withdrew aid in protest when police fired upon unarmed citizens like they did today. Thankfully the Ambassador was not harmed by the carelessness of the Malawi Police Force. You have made… Read more »
@Banda: Crazy. What is the point to give notice to those planning protests before tear gassing them? Let the feel the effects of the gas in the eyes and the noses; and perhaps they can learn that their actions have personal consequences.
We do not want anarchy in this country; and we are a country of Laws – so obey the Laws.
Asa. Zautsiru.
Commenting on polls dispute Palmer said: “The election observers said the elections were well managed, transparent and credible but if there are grievances, the complainants should use the judicial system.”
THE WHOLE WORLD IS LAUGHING AT US MALAWIANS WHY ? EVERYTHING IS UPSIDE DOWN !
Ambassador Palmar is telling MCP and Malawi at large that the international observers said the election was well managed transparent and credible. So why does Chakwera make all this noise. In an election there will always be one winner
Frustration baba. He knows that if he can’t use short cut to achieve his political ambition he can’t become president. Don’t forget that the mcp constitution bars a person to represent the party for presidency for more than 2 times. Chakweras time has expired hence frustration.
We are continuing with Chakwera if you thought of our Constitution to bar him, forget that joloza kikkkkkkk!!! He is here to save Malawi not MCP stupid!!
@Kaitano: Why are you expounding nonsense here? The MCP Constitution is clear on this matter: oChakwera is OUT, as he’s struck out twice!
Sometimes if you don’t have something to say you better shut up your stinking mouth
Nanu don’t be stupid. She is a diplomat. Notice that she didn’t say “the elections were fair etc”. She said anthu akuti the elections were fair etc”. That’s a diplomatic way of saying “I don’t think the elections were fair etc but I’m not allowed to say that since I’m a diplomat “
You can say it again
Malawi Police don’t know which situation needs teargas or not!
STUPID POLICE, GOOD FOR NOTHING!
Exactly
I will remember Palmer for being the first USA ambassador to be tear gassed in Malawi. Auvoir Palmer!
Nyasa Times it is rubbish to write disgruntled MCP supporters. Are a Malawian writer or foreigner. Did you vote or not. Are patriotic Malawian or not. We don’t want such writing when our hearts are burning with tippex Jane Ansa provided to rob Chakwera votes day time. Becareful.