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Zomba young politicians against Jan 17 demos

Zomba Young Politicians Union (YPU) has said it will not participate in the January 17 demonstrations which the Consumers Association of Malawi (Cama) has sanctioned, arguing dialogue must be given a chance.

YPU publicity secretary Benson Phiri in an interview on Friday said organisers of the demonstrations should exhaust all avenues of dialogue with government instead of going to the streets.

Said Phiri: “Memories are still fresh of what transpired during the 2011 July 20 demonstrations against the Bingu [wa Mutharika] administration. We do not want to experience the same this time around, but to give dialogue a chance.

“In addition, most of the leaders in the protests leave it to the youth when the going gets tough during the demonstrations resulting in loss of life and looting of people’s property.”

Phiri, who was in the company of YPU’s research and documentation officer, Wickness Nakanga, and the group’s director, Isaac Masanga, said the union comprises youths from various political parties.

Cama is organising the demonstrations in protest against economic hardships, notably rising consumer and service prices in the wake of the devaluation and floatation of the kwacha.

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