Malawi:18 Die as Army Deployed to Crush Anti-government Protests

Lilongwe--At least 18 people have died in a wave of anti-government riots that have rocked Malawi in the past two days, with the government deploying the military to counter the protests.
 
The nationwide protests that began on Wednesday were organised by the Human Rights Consultative Committee, an 80 member rights group, to decry against the mismanagement of the economy and an acute shortages of fuel and foreign exchange facing the country, demanding the president to step down.
 
The peaceful protest turned violent resulting in looting and other forms of destructions targeting businesses and buildings belonging to government allies and security forces after security forces decided to use forceful means against protestors.
 
The army has been deployed in the capital, Lilongwe, the biggest city, Blantyre, and Mzuzu in the north. Police authorities said the security forces had opened fire to prevent further looting and damage of property.
President Bingu wa Mutharika in his national address on state radio on Thursday appealed for calm and called for dialogue with his opponents to find solution. He condemned the protests which he vowed to “use any measure I can think of” to put them out.
 
“As leader of the country, I have powers vested in me by the constitution to ensure peace, using every measure I can think of,” he said.
In a statement the civil group said Malawi was facing “a series of catastrophes” owing to the current shortages seen to be the worst since independence. They accused the government of failing to listen to concerns of the people, fearing that Malawi was turning into an “autocratic kleptocracy”.
The Health ministry has reported 18 deaths in two days violence. Spokesman Henry Chimbali said post mortem is being conducted to determine cause death of victims whose bodies had fractured bones, deep cuts, broken ribs and lots of blood loses.
The current crisis experienced is due to a recent decision by the government to raise taxes following reduced donor funding over governance issues. A serious diplomatic row with Britain has seen both countries withdraw their ambassadors and last week’s suspension of $ 30.7 UK budgetary aid to Malawi.
 
Tripoli, Libya
Gaddafi Rules Out on Talks with Rebels
Embattled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has ruled out on talks with rebels fighting to depose him from power.
 
Col Gaddafi while addressing a crowd of supporters in his home city of Sirte on Thursday said “there will be no talks between me and them [rebels] until judgment day”, saying they need to talk with the Libyan people who will respond to them.
 
His statement follows a meeting between US diplomats and his government representatives in Tunisian capital, Tunis last weekend with intentions to “repair relations”, but Washington maintains he must exit from power.
 
In another televised speech on the state TV addressing “a meeting of Misrata tribes”, Col Gaddafi called for a march on the eastern city to liberate it from the rebels.
 
Meanwhile rebel fighters have captured prominent government commanders following their offensive push for the Zliten town 160km east of Tripoli. General Abdul Nabih Zayed was captured on Thursday during the rebel offense for Zliten town where he was slightly injured but was taken to Hospital in Misrata.
 
Gen Zayed is believed to have coordinated deployment of tankers to Misrata in March which triggered the revolt and his capture is highly regarded, being the most valued prisoners taken by the opposition fighters.
 
On Thursday rebel diplomatic Chief Mahmoud Jibril said that the Gaddafi forces had set bomb traps in the key oil town of Brega so they could be blown up if the town fell to the rebels.
 
The rebel’s push for Brega has been hampered by vast quantities of mines planted by retreating Gaddafi forces and lack of proper arms to reclaim the town.
 
Rebel leaders touring France have asked French President Nicolas Sarkozy for military assistance to enable them to march to Tripoli. Sarkozy said after a meeting on Wednesday with the delegation that the rebels believe they can march on Tripoli within “days” with a bit of help from friends such as France.
 
The opposition oil ministry seeks to import fuel into eastern parts in a new supply deals to supplement supplies by Vitol an oil trading firm that has been the opposition’s trading partner since the revolt started.
 
The shortages which were even experienced even during peace time are due to lack of sufficient refining capacity which has been compounded by damaging of the oil infrastructure and increased military demand during the fighting.