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Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) and the Lilongwe Small Scale Business Operations have confirmed that the planned demonstrations which have scheduled to take place in the Capital Lilongwe, on Friday, December 18, 2020 are on.
In a press statement available to Face of Malawi news desk, CDEDI said the confirmation comes after a successful meeting with authorities form Lilongwe City Council (LCC) and the Malawi Police Service (MPS).
“The council has granted CDEDI and The Lilongwe Small Scale Business Operators permission to hold the peaceful demonstrations starting from Lilongwe Community ground passing through Mchesi to Kamuzu Central Hospital Roundabout then present a petition to the Lilongwe City Council Chief Executive Officer at Lilongwe Civic Office,” read part of the statement.
According to CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa the demonstrations were shifted from Wednesday, December 13, 2020 the date they initially set before being informed that the day will carry other activities.
“We could not hold demonstrations on Wednesday, 16 December, 2020 as earlier announced because the city council informed us that the date was already set for the Concerned Local Fuel Transporters as per Section 96(3) of the Police Act being the first organization whose notification was received earlier before ours,” said Namiwa.
The development follows the expiry of a 14 day ultimatum which the Initiative gave government to address concerns raised regarding the issue to do with illegal immigrants’ dong businesses in the country taking over spots belonging to indigenous Malawians.
Namiwa further said CDEDI and the Lilongwe Small Scale Operators will lead all well-meaning Malawians in exercising their right to conduct peaceful demonstrations to demand answers and explanation form President Lazarus Chakwera.
The protest will be the first since Chakwera was elected the President of the country on June 23, 2020 in fresh presidential elections.
