Malawi President threatens to ‘smoke out’ protestors

By Lance Guma
22 July 2011

After calling for peaceful dialogue on Thursday, Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika made a sensational u-turn Friday when he threatened to ‘smoke out’ those behind the anti-government protests. At least 18 people have died in rioting, sparked by a combination of high fuel and food prices and what many Malawians believe is Mutharika’s increasing authoritarian rule.

“Even God knows that I have been the most patient president on the continent. Enough is enough. You wanted to take government by force, which is against the laws of the land. This time I will follow you into your homes. I will smoke you out,” Mutharika said. The statement was similar to Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, who also vowed to go door-to-door hunting down protestors.

Mutharika has ordered the army and the police to quell the riots which saw 9 deaths in Mzuzu, 6 in Lilongwe, 1 in Karonga and 2 deaths in Blantyre. Already 250 people have been arrested in a government crackdown. On Friday those leading the protests said they wanted to focus on burying the dead first before deciding on whether to continue the protests or try to have dialogue with Mutharika.

The Committee to Protect Journalists meanwhile condemned the “sweeping arrests and attacks on journalists, as well as censorship by the administration” targeting media outlets reporting on the protests. Police arrested Collins Mtika, a contributor to Nyasa Times as he covered protests in the northern city of Mzuzu. The Nyasa Times is a UK based online news site critical of the government.

SW Radio Africa spoke to the editor of the Nyasa Times, Tom Chiumia, who told us the problems in Malawi have emanated mainly from Mutharika’s arrogance. He cited a raft of oppressive pieces of legislation Murharika introduced, which he said were similar to what Mugabe has done in Zimbabwe.

Some of the offending laws include giving police the power to carry out searches without a warrant. In January Mutharika signed a law allowing the Information Minister to ban publications deemed "contrary to the public interest". On Thursday the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority switched off three private radio stations - MIJ FM Radio, Joy FM Radio and Capital Radio - to stop them from reporting on the protests, according to the Media Institute of Southern Africa, Malawi Chapter.

Chiuma also told us Mutharika has pushed through a law blocking people or groups from taking out injunctions against the government. In May local government elections, already delayed for six years were again postponed, adding to the growing sense that the oppressive days witnessed under the iron fisted rule of the late Kamuzu Banda were gradually being brought back by Mutharika.