Date Of Article: 5/29/2002
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Muluzi bans all demonstrations
By: Ephraim Munthali
President Bakili Muluzi yesterday banned any demonstrations for or against the third term in the country, saying allowing such protests threatens to throw the country into chaos. Muluzi, making one of his toughest speeches in recent years, told a rally in Machinga that he would instruct the army and police to deal with anyone involved in organising or participating in any demonstration relating to the amendment of Section 83 (3) of the Constitution that limits a president to two terms of office. He said anybody defying his order would be doing so at his or her own peril. He said he had the responsibility bestowed on him by the Constitution to protect Malawians. “As Commander-in-Chief of the Malawi Army and the Police I will not allow anybody to demonstrate for or against the third term. I cannot allow that to happen. Don’t use democracy to achieve your own motives,” Muluzi said in a speech monitored on MBC Radio 1. The President said he has never commented on the third term debate because he believed that it was only Parliament which has a constitutional mandate to make and change laws in this country. “I respect Parliament and I will not, and I repeat, I will not allow anybody to bring war in this country by taking the law in his own hands. MPs were elected by people and the same MPs will decide on the issue,” he said. Muluzi also said he is the rightful leader of this country because he is well known both in the Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc) region and the whole world, adding that no one can rule a country without fame. He said he is a civilised and experienced politician, whose only commitment is to serve Malawians instead of wasting time castigating other politicians. “I want to commit myself that I and my MPs and ministers will continue helping Malawians. In fact, I have a lot of development plans that will benefit Malawians and I want to finish implementing them,” said Muluzi. Speaking at the same rally, outspoken UDF regional governor (South) Davis Kapito accused Britain of cheating Malawians on the terms of office for the president when that country’s own prime minister Tony Blair has announced that he will contest for another term. “Today Tony Blair is announcing that he will stand for another term. Everyone is quiet. No one wants to stop him but here, churches have abandoned their Bibles and are busy protesting against third term. When Britons go to polls to elect Blair, we will also go to polls to elect Muluzi,” declared Kapito.
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