Malawi First , a grouping led by activist Bon Kalindo, has suspended its planned demonstrations after agreeing to give government two weeks to identify and communicate interventions to address the country’s socio-economic challenges.
The agreement comes amid growing pressure on government over persistent fuel shortages and electricity blackouts, with the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) also planning nationwide demonstrations to force Minister of Energy Jean Mathanga to resign over the crises.
Malawi First had issued a seven-day ultimatum to government on October 29, demanding solutions to challenges, including fuel shortages, hunger, electricity blackouts, foreign exchange shortages and unreliable water supply.
However, following a roundtable meeting with government in Lilongwe yesterday, the two parties agreed to suspend the ultimatum to allow authorities time to work out possible interventions.
during the meeting. | George Singini
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Charles Mhango, who chaired the meeting, said government appreciated the concerns raised by Malawi First, but argued that the seven-day ultimatum was too short to address the challenges.
He said some of the problems required short-term interventions, while others needed medium-and long-term solutions.
“We have agreed that government should be given two weeks to identify solutions and communicate to the public and Malawi First the interventions we intend to implement,” said Mhango.
He said President Peter Mutharika was aware of the challenges and had spoken about some of them upon his return from South Africa.
“Even the President has said he is working tirelessly to ensure that the challenges Malawians are facing are addressed. As ministers, we are also working tirelessly to assist him,” said the minister.
Mhango said government would take the concerns raised by the grouping back for further discussions to establish how best to address them.
On his part, Kalindo said the challenges facing Malawians were evident, arguing that people voted for the current administration with the expectation that it would address their problems.
He said Malawi First had agreed to give government two weeks after appreciating its decision to engage the grouping following the ultimatum.
“This is what we want as Malawians. We don’t want fighting or to go into the streets. What we want is a listening government. At the end of the day, this is the only Malawi we have,” said Kalindo.
He dismissed suggestions that the grouping could have been compromised through its engagement with government, saying its interest was to see the country functioning well and the challenges facing citizens addressed.
