Press Release
(For Immediate Release)
9th February, 2020
CALL FOR MALAWI CONGRESS PARTY TO EXERCISE LEADERSHIP FOLLOWING COURT RULING
The Government of Malawi would like to condemn remarks made by Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Secretary General Mr. Eisenhower Mkaka that MCP leader, Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, is President of the Republic of Malawi and Mrs. Monica Chakwera is the First Lady.
Mr. Mkaka made the unfortunate remarks on Saturday, 8th February, 2020 during what the MCP called a “Thank you rally” at Msundwe in Lilongwe.
Government would like to remind the MCP that the Constitutional Court nullified the May 21, 2019 presidential election but upheld Professor Peter Mutharika as President of the Republic of Malawi until elections are held as ordered by the court. By extension, the judgment means Professor Getrude Mutharika remains the First Lady of the Republic of Malawi.
Any views and utterances contrary to the court’s ruling are a departure from the rule of law and recipe for violence. Malawians are aware that Msundwe, where Mr. Mkaka made the unfortunate remarks, has become a hotspot for violence. As such, the remarks at Msundwe may have been strategically made with the aim of inciting more violence. Government condemns in strongest terms the spirit of violence perpetrated by the MCP.
Government also finds it very unfortunate for the MCP to choose Msundwe as venue for the party’s rally. It is an open secret that Msundwe is now associated with violence. In addition, the MCP president did not condemn the unfortunate remarks by Mr. Mkaka, signifying that they were premeditated.
Government would like to call on all political leaders to exercise statesmanship following the court ruling. His Excellency the President of the Republic of Malawi, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, has on several occasions called on all Malawians to maintain peace and restrain from utterances that can result into violence. Government urges all Malawians to take heed of the President’s call for the sake of our beloved country, Malawi.
MARK BOTOMANI, MP
MINISTER OF INFORMATION,
CIVIC EDUCATION AND
COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
