Rights group urges Malawi leader to reconcile with opposition

Malawi’s human rights activists on Tuesday said that there was need for President Bingu wa Mutharika to hold genuine reconciliation talks with opposition leaders to end the current political impasse in the country, and to ensure that such an impasse does not recur in future.

Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) Executive Director Undule Mwakasungura said in Lilongwe that the president needed to be reminded how damaging the impasse has been to the nation.

He said the impasse had tarnished the country’s image on the international scene by placing Malawi, though a peaceful nation, in the same light as Zimbabwe.

"We commend the president for appreciating the role the opposition played during the passing of the budget but it should go beyond this by making sure that he invites the leader of the opposition, John Tembo, and United Democratic Front leader and former president Bakili Muluzi to a round table discussion to finally end the impasse," he said.

Mwakasungura added that the impasse had taught the nation a number of important lessons — which include the importance of the three arms of government not to interfere in each other’s affairs.

But rather, the three arms should complement each other for the good of the nation. \"If this can be respected, then we will have a healthy political environment in Malawi,\" he added.