Advocacy & campaigns

OPEN PETITION TO STATE PRESIDENT BAKILI MULUZI

SANJIKA PALACE, BLANTYRE

2002-05-16, Issue 64

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/advocacy/7621

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We, concerned Malawians living in South Africa, petition Your Excellency, President Dr. Bakili Muluzi on matters raised below on the basis of the oath of office you took in promising to uphold and defend the Malawi Republican Constitution at all times. Malawians entrusted you with the responsibility of providing them with leadership that is founded on natural justice, human rights and democratic governance. We recognize that it is also our patriotic duty to bring to your attention those issues that impact on national integrity and survival of Malawi as a nation.

Your Excellency, as you may be aware, Malawi is besieged by political conflict and uncertainty that is negatively impacting on the SADC region in realizing the goals of New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and thereby damaging the investor confidence that the region desperately needs.

You are aware that there is a campaign going on in Malawi on, your behalf, calling for the Malawi Republican Constitution to be amended to allow you to run for a third presidential term of office. We know that you have said nothing on the matter despite the negative effects of uncertainty that this campaign is creating. The uncertainty and hopelessness that has gripped Malawi today as a result of the political campaign that your political party is waging has a negative effect on the country and the region. Additionally, Malawi experiences political instability that robs Malawians of unity required galvanizing patriotic efforts by citizens to move their country forward.

Malawi Constitutional Forum
South Africa Chapter
P.O Box 584, Newtown, Johannesburg 2113

14 May 2002


OPEN PETITION TO STATE PRESIDENT BAKILI MULUZI
SANJIKA PALACE, BLANTYRE

We, concerned Malawians living in South Africa, petition Your Excellency, President Dr. Bakili Muluzi on matters raised below on the basis of the oath of office you took in promising to uphold and defend the Malawi Republican Constitution at all times. Malawians entrusted you with the responsibility of providing them with leadership that is founded on natural justice, human rights and democratic governance. We recognize that it is also our patriotic duty to bring to your attention those issues that impact on national integrity and survival of Malawi as a nation.

Your Excellency, as you may be aware, Malawi is besieged by political conflict and uncertainty that is negatively impacting on the SADC region in realizing the goals of New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and thereby damaging the investor confidence that the region desperately needs.

You are aware that there is a campaign going on in Malawi on, your behalf, calling for the Malawi Republican Constitution to be amended to allow you to run for a third presidential term of office. We know that you have said nothing on the matter despite the negative effects of uncertainty that this campaign is creating. The uncertainty and hopelessness that has gripped Malawi today as a result of the political campaign that your political party is waging has a negative effect on the country and the region. Additionally, Malawi experiences political instability that robs Malawians of unity required galvanizing patriotic efforts by citizens to move their country forward.

We would, as empowered by the constitution, demand that you stop this uncertainty by declaring that you shall not change the constitution to suit personal gain but preserve it in line with your oath of office. Of great concern are your systematic efforts in eroding the value and integrity of the Republican Constitution through scrupulous amendments to suit you personally and thereby usurping the people’s power. We further register concern at your manipulation of the Legislature and intimidation of the Judiciary against the constitutional principle of separation of power. We highlight some of the concerns that have characterized your administration.

1. We would petition you to preserve the integrity of the office of the president of Malawi by acting in a manner that would not bring about national embarrassment. Going against the progressive thinking that advocates for transparent and accountable government in SADC, Malawi is now popularly known for lawlessness, intolerance, exclusion, corruption and state terrorism.

2 Your members of Parliament recently passed a controversial motion, which impeached three High Court Judges. As president of Malawi and leader of your party you could have stopped such blatant interference with the independence of the Judiciary. The findings of the inquiry, which you commissioned following the impeachment, have not been made public. Malawians view these acts as pure political tactics by the Executive wing of your government to re-introduce dictatorship through the neutralization of the independence of the Judiciary. Lack of independence in the Judiciary would bring forth injustice such as that which often creates political conflicts. We petition you to stop the intimidation that subordinates the Judiciary to the Executive wing as led by yourself.


3 Hospital statistics have revealed that over 5,700 Malawians have over the past three months died from malnutrition related diseases as a direct result of a clear error of judgment by Malawi government when they looted the National Strategic Grain Reserves and sold a reported 167,000 metric tones of maize to Kenya in order to create a deliberate food shortage that would benefit the unscrupulous businessmen in your cabinet. Malawians demand that the government account for the proceeds of the 167,000 metric tons and urgently replenish the Strategic Grain Reserves as a matter of honor and restore the human dignity of Malawians;


4 Malawians are dismayed with the ever-increasing level of intolerance on the part of the ruling UDF Party. Several attempts by the government to eliminate opposition leaders through the para-military wing of the party have never been investigated by a clearly partisan police force. The beating up of senior clerics like Rev. Kalebe in a mistaken identity for Bishop Tengatenga; and the death of Sheik Bugdad El Banna of the Sunni Muslim Council of Malawi after being assaulted by the so called Young Democrats now believed to be armed, are a measure of intolerance unprecedented in Malawi’s political history. The beating up of Chief Wimbe by UDF Party’s armed wing at a public rally in Kasungu, and in your full view; the killing in custody of a popular local musician whose only crime was to sing a song uncomplimentary to the government are some but a few on the gruesome list of atrocities being committed either with or without your knowledge. Malawians therefore demand that you make a public condemnation of these terrorist actions, which now remind the nation of the famous Malawi Young Pioneers.


5 Malawi’s economy is on the brink of collapse through mismanagement and corruption, which has now permeated all levels of government and society at large. As a result of this, Balance of Payment support which Malawi receives from donors as well as bi-lateral aid arrangements have since all been frozen save for token disbursements to avoid an economic calamity. Malawians therefore demand that you, as President stop the looting of the economy by dismissing all those in your cabinet, who have been involved in serious corruption that has in turn eroded both investor confidence and donor support in Malawi’s development efforts

6 Your party cadres murdered Charles Waya, a young man from Bvumbwe. Evidence proving an existence of conspiracy to cover up this atrocity exists and is buttressed by the unwillingness by the government to investigate the matter. Malawians are reminded of the brutality of Youth Leaguers of the old Malawi Congress Party by the terrorist attacks which the UDF armed wing continues to carry out on an increasing number of people in order that they promulgate their decadent values of one party dictatorship


In the spirit of nation of building, we hope that Your Excellency will pay urgent attention to these matters that are gripping the country and get the nation back on track for sustainable development. We further hope that you will accord Malawians freedom of assembly and association that they are now being denied.

GOD BLESS MALAWI.

For and behalf the petitioners:


Signed:

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