New party founder threatens to lead demos
Founder of a new party called African Nyasaland Party (ANP) Lawrence Sichinga has said he will lead the next nationwide anti-government protests should government fail to provide lasting solutions to the current problems in Malawi.
Speaking on the sidelines of a news conference last week, Sichinga said he is ready to lead the demonstrations and will not allow police to shoot civilians.
He said government should listen to other voices on the current problems which include shortage of foreign currencies, high cost of living and erratic supply of fuel, among others.
“If government does not listen, I am going to the streets with the masses. They will not shoot people. I will be there with the people. Government must be in no doubt. I will lead the next march and no one is going to intimidate me. I will work with the civil society,†said Sichinga who first announced the formation of his party on January 1 2012.
Sichinga’s commitment to lead the protests comes after the civil society gave government March as the deadline to provide solutions to the current problems or face nationwide mass demonstrations.
President Bingu wa Mutharika has time and again said his government will address the current problems in this new year.
Sichinga also took a swipe at opposition political parties, saying they have failed to take government to task to ensure good governance and provision of lasting solutions to the problems.
“This government has reached this stage of crisis because there is no vocal opposition. The parties have allowed the government to run its business the way they want,†said Sichinga.
Malawi Congress Party spokesperson on Parliamentary Affairs Joseph Njovuyalema said his party is ready to offer solutions but will do that after first hearing the solutions from the President himself.
Asked what his party stands for, Sichinga said ANP is for change.
He said the party will not join already existing parties because the ideologies are different and that the other parties are only good at criticising without providing solutions.
The party uses the country’s old flag and Sichinga said the use of the old flag and the name African Nyasaland Party are deliberate to stimulate debate among Malawians on the transition from the colonial era to one party and then democratic governments.
He said he would file documents this week for registration and official launch is expected next month March.
He said he was involved in the African National Congress politics in South Africa and has now denounced his South African citizenship to bail Malawians out of hell.
