HRDC gives Muluzi cold shoulder on dialogue

Human Right Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has turn down an invitation by former President Dr. Bakili Muluzi for second dialogue meeting over the ongoing protest aimed at forcing Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson Dr. Jane Ansah to resign for administering the fraudulent May 21 tripartite election.

On Monday, Muluzi wrote HRDC Chairperson Timothy Mtambo seeking for meeting ahead of the forthcoming demonstrations which will see all borders and airport being crossed for 5 days.

“For the sake of this country may I propose another meeting between your team and myself to find solutions to this impase. We should endeavor to work at finding peaceful lasting solutions that will keep our country together,” reads in part the letter addressed to Mtambo.

But reacting to Muluzi call, HRDC has trashed the meeting saying Muluzi seems to lack seriousness.

“HRDC feels its high time it wasted time engaging in manipulative dialogue that has no direction other than advancing one’s political agenda. HRDC welcomes the extended invitation by the former head of state #BakiliMuluzi but being frank with each other here, the invitation itself lives HRDC less desired hence not in its interest to comply . This time around what HRDC is up is not not dialogue with Bakili Muluzi as per say , but strategically for the benefit of this Nation,” said HRDC in the statement.

HRDC has since asked the former President to make public what transpired on the meeting he promised to have with President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika.

The grouping has also asked Muluzi to have a meeting with Jane Ansah and force her to resign from her post.

“Otherwise the motive behind this so called dialogue by #BM is suspicious. If Muluzi is so serious about this country, let him talk to #JaneAnsah and #APM who is the appointing authority. The silence expressed by Jane Ansah and APM himself is dangerous is as far as this country’s direction is concerned,” added the statement.

Meanwhile HRDC has vowed to continue with the planned demonstrations scheduled to commence on August 26.