Riots erupt in cities in neighbouring Malawi

[Masikini_Jeuri]

Malawi is just next door neighbor!

 

[Kachanchabuseta]

 

[Lucchese DeCavalcante]

http://www.paltelegraph.com/images/20117218561467360_20.jpg
London, (Pal Telegraph) - Reports of deaths follow clashes between demonstrators and police amid unprecedented unrest in southern African nation.
Up to 10 people have been killed in clashes between Malawian protesters and police during a wave of riots against President Bingu wa Mutharka, health officials and relatives say.
Henry Chimbali, a health ministry official, told the Zodiak private radio station on Thursday that nine deaths had been confirmed in the northern city of Mzuzu.

Another man died after being shot in Blantyre, the commercial capital, his relatives told the Reuters news agency.

Rioters, protesting against mismanagement of the economy and a shortage of fuel, had ransacked the offices of Mutharika's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Mzuzu on Wednesday, demanding he step down.

Police fired tear gas at the protesters in the capital, Lilongwe, on Thursday, a day after unprecedented nationwide unrest in the southern African nation, according to local radio station MIJ 90.3 FM.

But the situation in Blantyre was said to be returning to normal, with police clearing burning tyres left by protesters in the streets.

The protests were organised by the the Human Rights Consultative Committee, a group of more than 80 rights groups.

A police spokesman in Blantyre said they were still compiling a report on the rioting, which broke out after security forces tried to suppress the protests.

The decision to stop the protests was taken after a group calling itself Concerned Citizens announced a rival march in support of the government.

The authorities warned of "possible disruptions and undesirable incidents" but the protesters had already gathered in Lilongwe's city centre when they were told about the injunction stopping the demonstration.

When police tried to disperse the protesters, they went on the rampage in Ntchesi, said witnesses.

Businesses ransacked

A spokesman for the Human Rights Commission told the AFP news agency that about 400 people had gathered in Lilongwe to protest.

One witness said protesters ransacked two businesses owned by legislators belonging to the ruling Democratic Progress Party (DPP).

"The police were overwhelmed here by the crowd of people, although they finally suppressed the rioting crowd," Mike Chipalasa, a spokesman for the Human Rights Commission, said referring to the violence in Mzuzu.

"The demonstrators were just angry for being not allowed to march by police. They resorted to looting."

The opposition has denounced Mutharika for failing to smooth over a diplomatic row with Britain, after it suspended economic aid to its former colony.

Relations between the two countries were strained in April when a leaked British diplomatic cable accused Mutharika of "becoming ever more autocratic and intolerant of criticism".

Both countries have since withdrawn their ambassadors, while the UK last week suspended around $30.7m of budgetary aid meant for anti-poverty programmes in one of the world's poorest countries.

Mutharika's policies have included a ban on publications deemed "contrary to the public interest".

He has also imposed a requirement for activists seeking to hold protests to make a deposit of about $15,000 with police, intended as a safeguard against rioting and property damage.


Source: Agencies

 

[TAJIRI MKUU WA MATAJIRI]

​

Twelve people have been killed across Malawi after two days of violent anti-government protests, a health ministry spokesman told AFP on Thursday.


Nine people died in the northern town of Mzuzu, two in the commercial hub of Blantyre, and one in the town of Karonga on the border with Tanzania, health ministry spokesman Henry Chimbali said.

"Our assessment is that most of the victims died of heavy bleeding. We have yet to establish the cause of death after a post-mortem of each body," he said.

Another 22 people have been treated for injuries at various hospitals throughout the country, he added.

Rights activist Moses Mkandawire, who heads Church and Society, a charity run by the Presbyterian church, said earlier that seven people in Mzuzu had been shot dead by police during protests on Wednesday.

Police opened fire when looters descended on Chinese-owned shops and offices of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of President Bingu wa Mutharika, Mkandawire said.

Thousands of people were on the streets in the capital Lilongwe and the commercial hub Blantyre on Thursday, with riot police deployed to control the unrest.

The protesters accuse Mutharika of mismanaging the economy and trampling on democratic freedoms.

Mutharika's reaction to the demonstrations

21 July 2011
​

Here is the address President Mutharika made to the nation on 21st July 2011 in reaction to the demonstrations.

I want to greet you Malawians. Let me start by saying that Malawi for a long time has enjoyed peace. We as Malawians have co- existed peacefully. And for a long time, Malawians have been called a peaceful country. And in the past years we have conducted our elections peacefully as there were no deaths or violence.

In the past years, we have had foreign exchange shortages and fuel shortages as well. We were able to discuss these problems and find solutions. This time around, we have decided to go on the streets, burning houses, looting buildings and businesses. This has brought chaos and
violence to the country and is affecting development of our country.

I called for a public lecture yesterday at State House for all Malawians to attend to discuss our problems and find solutions. Opposition and civil society groups declined by not attending. Instead they organized their supporters and gave them red t-shirts. They went on the streets to demonstrate and looted shops, businesses and banks. In so doing have we solved our fuel and forex problems? Do we have forex or fuel now
after the demonstration? By looting shops, banks or PTC shops, are we going to have fuel?

This is wrong.

Opposition and the organizers of the demonstration are wringing me and you the people of Malawi by denying you Malawians freedom. I am informed that a number of people have been injured and some killed due to the demonstration, These problems are affecting everybody. Right now, we do not have peace amongst Malawians.

I am also informed that the organizers of the demonstration have hired vendors to break shops and other small scale business entrepreneurs, in so doing, is this democracy or development? Most of these shops or businesses belong to Malawians. I want each one of you to help me answer
this question. Each time we have a problem, is a solution going to the streets and demonstrate?

I don't think so.

Those of you who have started this, I know you. But based on the powers versed upon me, I have powers to guaranteed peace amongst Malawians. It could have been better if we had problems to discuss them other than demonstrating. Initially the organizers of the demonstrations said they would be peaceful and all Malawians said they should proceed.

But has it been peaceful? Is this what Malawians wanted when they allowed them to demonstrate? I want each one of us to answer me wherever you are. By allowing these people demonstrating violently, have we solved our problems? Do we now have fuel or forex? Is this democracy? Not so.

I would want these people to find other solutions. Opposition leaders distributed red t-shirts and commanded these people to break and loot
shops. We know CSO leaders who were in Lilongwe organizing these demonstrations. These people are not doing these acts on their own but they are being sent.

Previously we had shortage of forex, did we demonstrate? I would want you to do a soul searching within yourself and give an honest answer. All our small businesses/ vendors have problems but demonstration is not the answer. Am ready to discuss with you these problems. Get organized into committees and inform me at State House so that we can resolve these problems and not violently demonstrating.

We will not solve our problems by doing so.

And am asking you once more, if you have problems, let's discuss. I know the opposition leaders responsible for this but will not mention them.
I also call upon them to stop sending out your supporters and boys to demonstrate. I am ready to meet you as well and the CSO leaders. I am ready and willing to meet you but not sending your boys to demonstrate.

Let's help each other by promoting democracy and development. I am also asking each one of you wherever you are in the streets to go back to your homes and stop looting. Malawi has been a peaceful country for a long time and let maintain it for the sake of development. Let's all join hands and not destroy our name. I hope God will help us as these people are busy working for Satan. For a long time Satan has been competing
with God but God has won all the time and this time around God will be by our side. I am assured God will give us peace.

God bless Malawi.

end of speech

 

[We can]

From North Africa, then to South Asia. From South Asia then to southern Africa. May be Tanzania will not expreience this.... If what is happening in Tanzania today continue for a shot wile to come, Tanzania is likely to be the likely next victim of the MAANDAMANO.

 

[TAJIRI MKUU WA MATAJIRI]

Kikwete ni muda wake sasa kukimbia nchi kama alivyofanya swahiba wake mwenye akili na kuona mbali, huyu si mwingine ila ni ROSTAM AZIZ.
Vijana wenye hasira wanasubiri tu maandamano yaanze, wajipange nyumbani kwa Ridhiwani na kwenye sheli zake za Lake oil tayari kwa kuteketeza na kuangamiza.
Nchi yetu inanuka harufu ya machafuko, tafadhali sana Kikwete soma alama za nyakati.

 

[Bujibuji Simba Nyamaume]

The writing is on the wall
Meaning
Disaster or danger is imminent.
Origin
From the Bible, Daniel 5:5/6 (King James
Version):
In the same hour came forth fingers of a
man's hand, and wrote over against the
candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of
the king's palace: and the king saw the part
of the hand that wrote.
Then the king's countenance was changed,
and his thoughts troubled him, so that the
joints of his loins were loosed, and his
knees smote one against another.
The expression began to be used
figuratively, i.e. foretelling of danger where
no actual writing or wall are involved, from
the early 18th century. For example,
Jonathan Swift's Miscellaneous works, 1720:
A baited Banker thus desponds,
From his own Hand foresees his Fall;
They have his Soul who have his Bonds;
'Tis like the Writing on the Wall.

 

[seniorita]

What a speech by Malawian president...he operates on hearsay..."I have heard..." I am sure he has no more guts...peoples' power

 

[mwabaluhi]

I can sense fear, despair and humiliation all embedded in his speech. Time to go Mutharika

 

[Saint Ivuga]

waafrika bana

 

[EMT]

Sasa AshaDii mbona mnatuchanganya na kutuzengua sisi tuliopo ughaibuni? Mara twaambiwa mrudi, mara the future is so bleak bakini hukohuko so which is which?

Unaweza ukabaki huko huko na still ukaisadia nchi yako. Mbona Wasudani wa Kusini waliokuwa nje walimeweza?

 

[EMT]

What a speech by Malawian president...he operates on hearsay..."I have heard..." I am sure he has no more guts...peoples' power

Umeona eh? Where was he whilst all this was happening? Usikute alikimbia nchi kwa muda.

 

[Mnyang'anyi]

What a speech by Malawian president...he operates on hearsay..."I have heard..." I am sure he has no more guts...peoples' power

Inaelekea kule hakuna taarifa za ki - inteligensia!

 

[BAK]

[h=1]Malawi army deployed over anti-Mutharika protests[/h]

The protesters blame the government for rising prices and shortages

The army has been deployed in three Malawian cities on a second day of anti-government protests in which at least 18 people have been killed.
President Bingu wa Mutharika has vowed to "use any measure I can think of" to quell the demonstrations.
Protesters accuse him of plunging Malawi into its worst economic crisis since independence.
The army has been deployed in the capital, Lilongwe, the biggest city, Blantyre, and Mzuzu in the north.
The troops bolster a strong contingent of riot police in the three cities.
The health ministry said 18 people had been killed in two days of protests, with post-mortems being conducted to establish the cause of death.

"The bodies had fractured bones, deep cuts, broken ribs and lost a lot of blood," health ministry spokesman Henry Chimbali told the AFP news agency.
Nine people died in Mzuzu, six in Lilongwe, two in Blantyre, and one in the town of Karonga on the border with Tanzania, he said.

Another 44 people suffered gunshot wounds in the clashes between protesters and security forces, correspondents say.
A police spokesman said the security forces had opened fire in Lilongwe to prevent shops being looted and cars being smashed.

One bystander was killed when caught in the crossfire, correspondents say.
Lorry-loads of soldiers were patrolling central Lilongwe, clearing barricades set up by protesters.
The city centre is deserted with shops closed, correspondents say.

In an address to the nation, Mr Mutharika said the protesters were "working for Satan" and would be defeated.
"As leader of the country, I have powers vested in me by the constitution to ensure peace, using every measure I can think of," he said.

'Autocratic kleptocracy' Rev Maurice Munthali, deputy secretary general of the Church of the Central Africa Presbyterian told the BBC that the nine people who died in Mzuzu had been shot.
"I'm actually in the mortuary identifying the bodies - it's very sad."
Rev Munthali said that some of those in hospital had not been demonstrating but were caught in crossfire.
Police spokeswoman Norah Chimwala confirmed one death and more than 10 gunshot injuries.
[h=2]The president at-a-glance[/h]

• Chosen by ex-President Bakili Muluzi to succeed him in 2004

• Later fell out with Mr Muluzi, who is on trial for alleged corruption
• Initially praised by donors for subsiding fertilisers to raise rural people's living standards
• Now accused of economic mismanagement, with donors cutting aid
• Increased majority in 2009 election
• Now accused of becoming increasingly autocratic

She could not confirm if the police had caused the death.
Civil groups which organised the nationwide protests said Malawi was facing a "series of catastrophes".
The cost of living was rising and the country was facing acute shortages of fuel, electricity and foreign currency, they said in a statement.
"There is cause to believe that the current shortages are the worst in all our 47 years [since independence]," the statement said.

They accused the government of failing to listen to the concerns of people, and they feared Malawi was turning into an "autocratic kleptocracy".
Mr Mutharika - who was elected in 2004 - said he was prepared to enter into dialogue with the opposition but they should stop "sending your boys" on the streets to cause chaos.

"I am asking each one of you, wherever you are, to go back to your homes and stop looting," he said.
"By allowing these people to demonstrate violently, have we solved our problems? Do we have fuel or forex [foreign exchange]? Is this democracy? Not so."

Several buildings and businesses belonging to members of the security forces and government allies have been attacked during the violence.
The government passed an austerity budget recently, raising taxes to reduce dependence on aid.
Last week, the UK cut aid to Malawi after accusing the government of handling the economy badly. Other donors have also reduced aid.
Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, with an estimated 75% of the population living on less than $1 (60p) a day.

 

[pumbatupu]

yametimia..

 

[Mwanamayu]

The best strategy for dealing with the army once deployed could be to strangle their families; that is, when they are killing innocent citizens - brothers and sisters - say from barracks A to suburb B, when they get back at their home they found their members of families also dead. From there they will join the citizens to fight the common enemy - Muthalika!!!

 

[sulphadoxine]

Rais Bingu wa Mutharika


Maafisa wa matitabu kutoka hospitali moja nchini Malawi wanasema kuwa kwa uchache watu 18 wameuawa katika ghasia za maandamano nchini humo.
Jeshi limepelekwa katika mji mkuu wa Lilongwe, wakati huu ambapo maandamano yamerejelewa katika miji jirani.Msemaji wa polisi amethibitisha kifo kimoja tu lakini maafisa kutoka hospitali wanasema watu wanane wameuawa.
Waandamanaji wameghadhabika na kuongezwa kwa bei za bidhaa na vile vile na Rais Bingu wa Mutharika.
Rais wa Mutharika amelihutubia taifa na kusema yuko tayari kwa mazungumzo na wapinzani na makundi ya kiraia.
Makundi ya kiraia yalioandaa maandamano hayo yanasema kuwa Malawi inakabiliwa na mzozo mbaya zaidi wa kiuchumi tangu uhuru kupatikane miaka 47 iliyopita.
Serikali hivi karibuni iliidhinisha bajeti ya kubana matumizi na kuongeze kodi ili kupunguza kutegemea misaada baada ya wafadhili wengi kukatiza misaada yao kwa Malawi.
Wafadhili wameishutumu Malawi kwa kufuja uchumi na kukosa kuzingatia haki za binadamu.
Maandamano haya yamefanyika katika miji mingi lakini vifo vimetokea katika mji wa Mzuzu kilomita 300 Kaskazini mwa Lilongwe.

Nipo sasa katika chumba cha kuhifadhia maiti, inasikitisha sana
​

Askofu Maurice Munthali


Askofu Maurice Munthali naibu katibu mkuu wa kanisa la Kipresbyteri aliyekwenda katika chumba cha kuhifadhia maiti kutambua waliouawa amesema wote waliokufa wanaonesha walipigwa risasi, jambo ambalo limethibitishwa na wauguzi.
Askofu huyo amesema pia baadhi ya wale walio hospitali hawakushiriki katika maandamano bali walijikuta katikati ya vurugu hizo.
[h=2]Mashambulio[/h]Taarifa zaidi zasema kuwa mali ya Waziri mmoja wa serikali imeshambuliwa na waandamanaji katika mji huo.
Baadhi ya waandamanaji hao wanamtaka Rais Bingu wa Mutharika ajiuzulu.Polisi nao wametumia gesi za kutoa machozi mjini Lilongwe kuwatawanya waandamanaji na vile vile wameweka vizuwizi kuwazuia watu kuingia katika mji huo.
Mmiliki wa radio moja ya kibinafsi nchini humo Alaudin Osman ameiambia BBC kuwa ameagizwa na vyombo vya utawala kutopeperusha matangazo ya moja kwa moja kwa kuwa inadaiwa yanachochoea kinachoendelea hivi sasa.
Malawi ni moja wapo ya nchi masikini zaidi ulimwenguni ambapo asili mia 75 ya idadi ya watu nchini humo hutumia chini ya dola moja katika matumizi yao ya kila siku.

 

[pmwasyoke]

Too late kwa waliouawa. Hata hivi azungumze kuepusha vifo zaidi.

 

[pmwasyoke]

The best strategy for dealing with the army once deployed could be to strangle their families; that is, when they are killing innocent citizens - brothers and sisters - say from barracks A to suburb B, when they get back at their home they found their members of families also dead. From there they will join the citizens to fight the common enemy - Muthalika!!!

Then the innocent citizens would not be innocent anymore - they would be butchers like the army.