The Human Rights Defence Coalition has posted a circular to High Commissioners of Zambia, Tanzania, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, notifying the states that the next demonstrations that are aimed to take place at border posts and airports, will be peaceful.
The circular, cosigned by HDRC Chairpersons from Northern, Southern, Central and Eastern regions, has outlined that the inconveniencing demonstrations are aimed at exerting pressure on Malawi Government, to relieve Justice Jane Ansah of her post as the Chairperson of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC). “..the government has not been responsive. As a result, citizens have resolved to take the vigils to the border posts and airports to exert pressure on government to listen to the peoples needs” says part of the circular.
The main signatories of the circular are Timothy Mtambo and Gift Trapence, HRDC National Chairperson and Vice National Chairperson respectively, sent the circular on 20 August, whilst a day later, Commander-In-Chief, President Peter Mutharika, has ordered Malawi Defence Force and Malawi Police Service to stop the planned airports and border districts shutdown. HRDC chairperson Timothy Mtambo says the coalition is going on with the planned anti-Justice Jane Ansah demonstrations slated for next week, despite President Peter Mutharika warning against the move.