Governance and human rights activist Undule Mwakasungula has torn apart former UTM Party director of youth Bon Kalindo and other UTM Party members participating in the nationwide protests, describing them as ‘blackmailers’.
In an interview with Weekend Nation yesterday he said the protests comedian-cum-politician Kalindo, popularly known as Winiko, has been masterminding leave a lot to be desired as they appear to lack clear strategy in terms of how government should tackle the issues being advocated for.
Mwakasungula’s condemnation comes two days after Kalindo cancelled his second phase of the “peaceful demonstrations” against the rising cost of living, which were slated for Thursday in Blantyre and Karonga.
Kalindo told the media in Lilongwe on Tuesday that the demonstrations would take a 10-day break and resume on January 5 next year, to give citizens time to enjoy their Christmas and New Year holidays.
But Mwakasungula observed that the manner in which Kalindo had been planning and conducting his protests leaves more questions than answers on whether they have “a hidden agenda of regime change”.
“You might question are the demonstrations meant to undermine the Tonse Alliance administration and derail its development plans; hence make it seen as failed to govern?
“This is pure blackmail and can result in government making unnecessary concessions just to meet the demands of demonstrators without proper engagement and dialogue,” said the human rights activist, who led the July 2011 anti-government national demos where 20 Malawians lost their lives across the country.
He has since prodded government to handle Kalindo’s protests carefully to avoid bringing unnecessary expectations that might end in more chaos and confusion.
In his statement issued on Monday, Mwakasungula observed the current challenges facing the nation “will not and cannot be addressed by government alone, or through demonstrations.”
“No matter how many demonstrations we will conduct, if we do not engage and talk, Malawi’s problems will remain and become worse.
“Genuine engagement and dialogue will bring short and long-term benefits, improved relations and cooperation with government, enabling further development through social and political action,” said Mwakasungula in his statement titled ‘Further call for genuine national engagement and dialogue: The current demonstrations are unnecessary.’
The human rights activist also took a swipe at some UTM Party members who are in the forefront organising the demonstrations with Kalindo, especially in the Northern Region, wondering why they were doing so against a government they are part of.
“Is this lack of direction of the entire party not to understand policies they advocated for during the campaign period? I strongly believe UTM Party members, regardless of their positions, must articulate and defend their policies or promises and not running away by pushing the blame to other members.
“High capacity leaders distinguish themselves through tough times, they are optimistic, hopeful and never give up in despair. Therefore, UTM Party members must not run away or jump the boat by supporting demonstrations but must be part and parcel of solving the country’s challenges,” said Mwakasungula.
Kalindo was not available for comment yesterday, but another human rights defender Gift Trapence, commenting on the issue, backed Kalindo’s demonstrations, arguing that they had a background.
“Everyone has the right to demonstrate. It is a constitutional right for people to demonstrate. But it is also important to note that the demonstrations are coming from the background of high cost of living. Malawians have been going through tough economic challenges with rising costs of every basic commodity.
“The failure to fulfil campaign promises is another serious issue Malawians are not happy with. Since the President has presented Economic Recovery Plan there is a need to reflect on the plan as to whether it will indeed cushion poor Malawians and relate it to all the issues that were being raised during the demos,” said Trapence, who is chairperson of the Human Rights Defenders Coalition.
University of Malawi peace and security studies expert Master Dicks Mfune, also differed with Mwakasungula, arguing the leadership has failed to address the issues burdening Malawians, therefore, “no need for engagement in dialogue”.
“The issue Malawi is facing does not require engagement in dialogue at high level or low level. It requires action from the State President to address the issues that the citizens have brought before him. Both Chakwera and Chilima have failed Malawians. But the blame is on Chakwera. His leadership style is a failure. He is failing to give directives or make a foot stamp. He is acting like a family or church pastor who does not want his children to suffer,” he said.
The demonstrations championed by Kalindo are meant to force the Tonse Alliance administration to address campaign promises especially on unemployment and high cost of living.
