Malawi’s Former VP Supports Protestors

Opposition leader and former Vice-President Saulos Chilima has reiterated his support for continued peaceful protests in the country. 

Civil society group the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) have been staging a number of nationwide mass protests in recent weeks, protesting the outcome of the elections held in May. Among the demands of the protestors are the resignation of Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chair Jane Ansah and her colleagues, who have been accused of meddling in the process.

Chilima, who is challenging the official results of the polls in the courts, has stated that the people should be allowed to continue their peaceful protests, free from fear.

“For my part, I wholeheartedly support and encourage the people of Malawi to exercise their rights without fear, including the exercise of their right to assemble and demonstrate peacefully and unarmed as we all demand an end to electoral reforms fraud and the resignation of Dr. Mrs. Ansah who has completely lost the people’s trust,” he stated.

Opposition presidential candidate Lazarus Chakwera, who came second in the May elections, is also challenging the outcome on the basis of alleged electoral irregularities.

The next mass protest has been scheduled for August 6.