JAN 17 Demos Petition: CAMA Warns to take Further Steps

The Consumers Association of Malawi (CAMA) has put its foot down that it is eagerly waiting for a quick response from the Malawi Government on the petition which was presented to State President of the Republic of Malawi Mrs. Joyce Banda’s admininstration during the peaceful January 17 nationwide demonstrations, it has been learnt.

According to the local Nation newspaper, CAMA has since warned the authorities in power that it will only discontinue further mass demonstrations if the Joyce Banda administration ‘puts its commitment in writing.’

The local publication has quoted Consumers Association of Malawi (CAMA) Executive Director John Kapito who championed the January 17 demonstrations as claiming that the authorities in power have not responded to the petition which was presented to them during the demonstrations.

“We put our demands in writing and we expect government to do likewise.

“We want government to explain how it intends to address the concerns raised, and do so in writing to enable us to monitor progress.

“We do not want mere rhetoric that government has done this and that. They have to be clear about it and engage in a more constructive process. So far, there is nothing, and from January 17, we started counting down to the 21-day ultimatum we gave,” Kapito was quoted as saying by the local publication.

He further told the Nation that should the authorities fail to address their demands, CAMA is not going to sit down and watch but to take further demonstrations arguing that there are other issues that were presented in the petition that can be immediately resolved by the current administration.

Minister of information who also happens to be spokesperson for government Moses Kunkuyu is on record as to have told the local media that the peaceful demonstrations were the beginning of dialogue between the parties involved.

He claimed that government has already started to address the issues raised by CAMA by among other things reducing the Presidential motorcade as well as cutting foreign trips by Civil Servants.

CAMA petitioned the JB Administration where a number of burning issues were raised including an immediate stop of the floatation of the kwacha which has resulted in soaring prices of basic commodities, reduction of President Banda’s foreign travel and her entire cabinet, declaration of assets by the President as well as salary adjustments of workers in Malawi.

Malawians are feeling the pinch of the devaluation of the local currency by 49 percent by the Joyce Banda’s administration barely few months’ since she assumed office following the sudden death of President of the Republic of Malawi late Professor Bingu wa Mutharika last year.

Analysts believe that the JB administration made the decision following mounting pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

However, the development has caused untold misery among Malawians especially the poor masses who are now coughing almost double the price of basic commodities.