Malawi:President WA Mutharika dismisses PAC resignation calls

In an adamant show, he said he already told Malawians that his mandate expires in 2014 and that Malawians want his younger brother, Professor
Peter Mutharika as the next head of state. He was speaking in the lakeside town of Mangochi during this year’s World Water Day commemorations.

“I want to tell you all that PAC cannot ask me to resign. I will rule on till 2014,” he challenged.

A communique signed by chairperson of the PAC summit held on 13th March to 14th, highlighted a number of shortfalls in the leadership, including poor relations with donors and development partners, devalued Kwacha, economic woes and escalating prices in basic needs.

“At the moment my Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is in majority in parliament and can support me if I wanted to stay on in power. I will not respond to those calls and rule on to 2012,” he added.

Political persecution, which Mutharika’s administration and himself deny, are also highlighted.

Yesterday police arrested son to former President Bakili Muluzi, Atupele, for going ahead with a political rally in the capital city’s Area 24, raising public anger, seeing people overpower and torch a police station injuring one in the process, and chanting anti-Mutharika and government slogans.

Government also arrested chairperson for the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) Kapito on trumped up charges that he printed and was
in possession of counterfeit forex. Last month government also arrested lawyer and opposition figure Ralph Kasambara, a former Attorney General in the current system, for alleged assault of government sponsored ‘assassins’ working under the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB).