A social and political commentator, Humphrey Mvula, has warned President Peter Mutharika that his image might be grossly tarnished worldwide if he continues to ignore resolving the country’s political crisis with his opponents amicably.
The warning comes following a move by the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) who have written the African Union (AU) asking them to intervene in what they call a political crisis in Malawi.
HRDC’s letter was addressed to the AU chairperson, Cyril Ramaphosa, who is also the President of South Africa, to urge Mutharika to assent to the Electoral Reforms Bills which Parliament passed in February 2020.
Mvula said: “This is portraying a bad picture to other countries that we can’t resolve our own problems and our president does not succumb to the citizens or court orders.”
The commentator however backed the move by HRDC to report the president to AU saying the current political state requires resolution which has failed locally.
He further highlighted that by reporting issues that are affecting the citizens, the human rights defenders are just exercising their noble duty.
On March 17, Mutharika, through his press secretary, Mgeme Kalilani, announce that he will not assent to four electoral reform bills that went through the Parliament in February.
Mutharika also refused to fire Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) commissioners, defying the Public Appointments Committee (PAC) of Parliament’s recommendation to be fired.
