3-days stay away from work no demo -Malawi activists

Malawi civil society organisations have announced that the nationwide protests which was planned for Wednesday September 21   has been postponed because police and city assembly failed to grant them permission and instead announced there would be a three-day stay away from work.

The spokesperson of the organisers, Billy Mayaya, announced the decision at a news conference in Lilongwe after High Court vacated injunctions stopping street protests.

“People should stay away for three days,” Mayaya said, describing it as the "best option".

Mayaya: Let Malawians make a statement by staing-away from work for three days

“We have not received permission from Police and district assemblies to hold the vigils,” Mayaya said.

"We have decided that planned vigils should be done in one's own home. We are calling on all Malawians to stay home, pray and reflect on the problems that are affecting this country," he added.

Government spokesperson Patricia Kaliati has since accused activists of "agitating for violence" and has called the stay –away as illegal.

The demonstrations were planned against the Malawi government on political, economic and governance issues which formed the basis of the July 20 demonstrations which left 19 people dead.

The riots were fuelled by anger over chronic fuel and foreign currency shortages, with activists blaming Mutharika for failing to manage the agriculture-driven economy.

Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP),  had earlier announced withdrawal from participation in the protests.

"I can confirm we are not part of the process of organising the protests," said CCJP National Coordinator Chris Chisoni.

CCJP's disclosure comes amid allegations of division of opinion in the civil society ranks whether to go ahead with the protests immediately after the collapse of the United Nations mediated talks between government and the civil society organisations (CSOs).

Chisoni said his organization could not participate in the protests because its mother body, the Episcopal Conference of Malawi was yet to approve its participation in the protests.

Nyasa Times 21 Sep, 2011

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Source: http://www.nyasatimes.com/blog/2011/09/20/3-days-stay-away-from-work-no-demo-malawi-activists/
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