Chiefs against calls for APM to resign

Some traditional leaders are against calls that rose from some delegates to the Public Affairs Committee (PAC) 5th All Inclusive Stakeholders’ Conference in Blantyre last week that President Peter Mutharika should resign.

Two of the country’s major opposition political parties—Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and People’s Party (PP)—submitted as an oral recommendation that Mutharika must step down within 30 days because he has economically and socially failed Malawians.

However, briefing journalists on issues of “national importance” in Blantyre yesterday, the traditional leaders said the issue of giving President an ultimatum is worrisome considering that the country has a working Constitution that puts him in power for five years until the next election.

The chiefs included Paramount Chief Kyungu, Paramount Chief Lundu, Senior Chief Kapeni, Senior Chief Lukwa, Senior Chief Kaomba, Senior Chief Malemia, Senior Chief Tsabango and Traditional Authority (T/A) Kilupula, among others.

In his remarks, Kyungu said traditional leaders are custodians of peace, stability and continuity in the country and they cannot condone such calls and irresponsible statements from anyone, be it opposition or ruling party’s politicians.

“We as chiefs do not support the calls for resignation of the President because we believe that the problems that the country is facing have been there for ages and they have not come because of the President. Our advice to people is that they should not fall prey to ill intentions of people who do not wish this country well,” he said.

Senior Chief Kaomba echoed Kyungu’s sentiments, saying the challenges such as food security and the ailing economy cannot be attributed to Mutharika’s 18-month rule.