LIMBE, Malawi -- Malawi's parliament ended its three-week sitting on a lacklustre note on November 1 after the much-talked about Bill seeking to extend the presidential term failed to take off.
Instead the limelight was stolen by a demonstration which turned violent as police dispersed critics demonstrating against the Bill which sought to pave the way for President Bakili Muluzi to stand for a third term of office in 2004.
The controversial Bill seeks to amend the Constitution to lift restrictions on the terms of office of the president. But government representatives could not shed light on whether the Bill would be tabled or not in future.
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General Henry Phoya was quoted by the newspapers as saying the decision to come up with the new Bill came from the public. It would be tabled if the people wanted, he said.
While parliament was winding up its three-week business in the capital, Lilongwe, there were ugly scenes in the commercial hub, Blantyre, where violence interrupted a planned public demonstration against proposals by the government to lift constitutional restrictions on the terms of office of the president.
At least three people were reported injured from knife wounds allegedly inflicted by youth wing members of the ruling United Democratic Front known as Young Democrats.
Among the injured was a high ranking official of the National Democratic Alliance NDA whose leader, Brown Mpinganjira, has vowed to oust the Muluzi regime. An official, Mike Mezalumo, was seriously injured on the eye and had to go for surgery.
The protest on the morning of November 1 was organized by the Forum for the Defense of the Constitution and attracted thousands of people opposed to the extension of the two five-year presidential tenure
The demonstration ended in disarray shortly after commencement from the old Town Hall in Blantyre, when the police opened fire and tossed teargas to disperse a looming clash between the marchers and groups of armed government supporters who had gathered at the clock tower, a kilometer away.
The organizers of the demonstrations blame the police for favoring the violent attackers instead of protecting the peaceful demonstrators who were licensed to hold the demonstration. There was however a wide range of views expressed by the public against the police action, which they say, was instructed "from above".
On the day of the riots, President Muluzi was attending a Muslim gathering known as Ijtima in a predominantly Muslim district of Nkhatakota. In his address to the Muslim faithful, he described as "nonsense" the pre-occupation by some leaders with the subject of presidential term.
Muluzi congratulated organizers of the annual event for focusing on AIDS pandemic instead of the controversial Bill. He censured Opposition leaders who he did not name for trying "to use religion to divide Malawians".
One of the organizers of the protests, Harold Williams, of the Forum for the Defense of the Constitution, an umbrella body of civic, religious and opposition groups, says they intend to take the police to court because the law enforcers did not respect the people's constitutional right.
The forum, whose aim is to stop the government from adopting the proposed constitutional amendment Bill, complained that heavily armed paramilitary police used gunfire and teargas to disperse demonstrators.
By Hamilton Vokhiwa
-
Former President Jimmy Carter Honored with State Funeral, Grandchildren Reflect on Sunday School Legacy
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, remembered not only for his leadership but also for his lifelong dedication to teaching Sunday school, was laid to rest on January 9 in a solemn state funeral filled with scripture and heartfelt tributes.
-
5 times fire was used in the Bible as judgment: Reflecting on the LA wildfires
The recent wildfire in Los Angeles has prompted Pastor David Zhai (翟大衞) to reflect deeply on five significant instances of fire in the Bible. Pastor Zhai, a frequent speaker and preacher at churches in the Vancouver area, often interprets current events and news from a biblical and faith-based perspective.
-
Franklin Graham defends Pres. Trump not swearing on the Bible: 'It wasn't intentional.'
In an exclusive interview with Premier, Rev. Franklin Graham shared his reflections on President Donald Trump’s second inauguration, addressing the unexpected moment when Trump did not place his hand on a Bible while taking the oath of office. According to Graham, the incident was not deliberate.
-
Global Christian Relief releases first ever world persecution report 'The Red List'
Global Christian Relief (GCR) has published its first-ever persecution report, highlighting the five countries where Christians face the most severe persecution across five critical categories. Released on January 7, the 2025 GCR Red List is described as the first quantifiable, verifiable index covering incidents from 2022 to 2024. The report tracks violence in five key areas: killings, attacks on buildings, arrests, displacement, and kidnappings/assaults.
-
Trump Launches White House Faith Office: A Bold Bet on Religion in Government
In a move that underscores his deepening focus on faith in public life, President Donald Trump has announced the creation of the White House Faith Office, a dedicated branch designed to strengthen the role of religious organizations in government affairs.