January 17 protesters deliver petition without major incidents

Malawian consumers are today protesting against high cost of living but quietly and silently unlike the previous demonstrations on July 20, 2011 that led to 20 deaths.

In Lilongwe, where the police only allowed four people to deliver a petition to the District Commissioners DC office, most shops and schools are closed.

Human rights activists, including Hebrews Misomali, went to the DC’s office to deliver a petition and looks like that’s the end of it.

There is however heavy presence of police especially because there is also Kenyan President Mwayi Kibaki in town.

In Mzuzu, our reporter Steve Zimba says the northern region city is quiet too with armed police loitering around.

The situation is the same in Blantyre and Zomba according to our reporters.

The Consumers Association of Malawi championed the protests following the high cost of living in Malawi which CAMA believes is the making of President Joyce Banda for instituting IMF dictated reforms.

Among others CAMA wants government to abandon floatation of the local currency but President Banda has stood her ground that this is not the time to give up.

The IMF and other major donors have backed the President on her stand.