Malawians prepare to embarrass Mugabe during visit next month

By Tererai Karimakwenda
24 April 2006

The Malawi political scene is rife with talk of Robert Mugabe’s planned visit next month. Many organisations are preparing to demonstrate against honours being bestowed on him by president Bingu Wa Mutharika. A cartoon which appeared in a Malawi newspaper this past weekend showed a series of closed doors with the message “Not Welcome” as Mugabe stopped in front of the only door open which was labelled - Malawi. Our correspondent Simon Muchemwa reports that he saw placards being prepared and t-shirts being printed by organisations that plan to demonstrate against Mugabe. They say they want to make it clear they oppose plans to rename a major road after Mugabe.

Mutharika is also being accused of adopting a Mugabe-style oppressive form of government and proposing legislation which erodes human rights and democracy in Malawi. The change in his behaviour has been linked by opposition to his growing closeness to Robert Mugabe. Last week the government removed street vendors from their stalls in a Murambatsvina–style operation. The vendors were then made to apply for space that cannot accommodate them all. Angry vendors and residents engaged the police in running battles in Blantyre on Friday. Muchemwa said the demonstrations planned for Mugabe’s visit on May 3 rd are expected to attract huge crowds intent on embarrassing both leaders.