UTM President Saulos Chilima joined demonstrators in Blantyre on Tuesday fulfilling his promise to re-energise the commercial city’s drive to force Malawi Electoral Commission Jane Ansah to reign or force President Peter Mutharika to fire her for what they call incompetence in presiding over the May 21st tripartite elections.
Chilima arrived in the morning at Kamuzu Upper Stadium where demonstrators convened and reiterated his slogan of no fear dressed in camouflage flanked by UTM secretary general Patricia Kaliati.
Despite the numbers not living up to the estimated figures of 1 million marchers something organisers Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) pinned on the late ruling of the injunction appeal by the Attorney General to stop the demonstrations Chilima said the turn out was ‘good’
“First let me say its good turnout, lots of people, very peaceful and this is what is should be. People should come out in large numbers and show their frustration in support of the cause we are fighting for that Madam Ansah should go, so good turn,” he said speaking to journalists.
Asked on what will be their next move looking at the fact that Ansah is being adamant to resign Chilima in strongest terms explained they will continue to demonstrate until she goes saying they have the energy and the numbers.
Commenting on the cartel ling of the demos by government through the Attorney General and Inspector General of Police in the court the UTM president applauded the judiciary for standing with democracy.
“The ruling today is yet another landmark ruling. There are some people who don’t listen, you heard the Inspector General last week trying to stop us from demonstration, the IG is our employee and I have never seen an employee stopping their boss like you can’t do this.
If they are not competent to handle the security situation they too should resign, we salute the court for standing with democracy, we need to protect it, so kudos to courts and we look for more demonstrations in future as we continue with our fight,” Chilima said.
Malawi Congress Party Vice president Sidik Mia who joined the demonstrations and walked side by side with Chilima said as a party they are in full support of those fighting for the rights of freedoms of Malawians, everyone who wants to know the truth about what really happened and who presided over the elections Jane Ansah to resign.
Mia said: “Everyone is not satisfied with how things went. Everyone is getting tired now of Ansah not resigning so you will see a growing numbers of people week after week coming out o the streets to protest.
He added the pressure will continue and if she doesn’t resign still, it means she doesn’t have the welfare of Malawians at heart because one person can not manipulate the will and truth of the people.
Kulinji.com
