Mzuni students disown statement on PAC
The Mzuzu University (Mzuni) Students’ Union has distanced itself from a statement released last week criticising the Public Affairs Committee (PAC) over resolutions drawn at its recent conference held in Blantyre.
The resolutions called for President Bingu wa Mutharika’s resignation or a referendum to resolve the country’s current problems.
In an interview on Thursday, Mzuni Students’ Union president, Moses Chalera, said the statement, which he said indicated that it was coming from the entire students community at the university, was authored by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) operatives.
“That statement does not represent the view of students’ community at the university. Views from the university students come through the union. I am the official spokesperson of the students and did not author any such statement.
“We have several clubs at the university and that statement came from the DPP club,†said Chalera.
In the statement released to the media last week, the concerned students urged Malawians, particularly the youth not to support PAC and other civil society organisations, accusing them of working to bring problems in the country.
“It is against this background that we, students from Mzuzu University, who are also the bonafide citizens of the Republic of Malawi, with respect to the democratic principles which provide for the freedom of expression that we share our stand on this development with fellow countrymen in this press statement.
“We appeal to the public not to support the PAC resolutions and advancements aiming at ousting this democratically elected and legitimate government.
“It is just a sheer sign of greed, lack of maturity, unpatriotism and irresponsibility on the part of the plotters to think that some of the problems the country is facing can be solved through this undiplomatic approach,†reads the statement in part.
It adds that overthrowing the government would lead to unbearable consequences such as massive bloodshed and destruction of property like the case in recent events in Libya, Egypt and Tunisia.
At the end of the all-inclusive meeting last week, delegates to the PAC conference said Mutharika’s administration has failed to offer solutions to the country’s problems; hence, the call for resignation within 60 days or a referendum within 90 days for Mutharika to seek a fresh mandate if he still believes his government is popular.
PAC said Malawi has changed from being a country on the move between 2004 and 2009 to one that borders on a failed State because of Mutharika’s poor stand on governance and human rights since 2010.
