Malawi Government Blasts Britain on Zimbabwe

Malawian Foreign Minister Joyce Hilda Banda who recently visited Cuba. She expressed her support for South-South unity.
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos

Malawi ruler blasts Britain on Mugabe

Thursday, 12 February 2009

Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika has said the British government acted “immorally” by pressing his government to speak out against Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, claiming the pressure undermined the sovereignty of the Malawi government.

The Malawi ruler made the remarks while addressing a joint news conference at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe, alongside the Zambian Head of State, Rupiya Bwezani Banda who was visiting the country, before his departure for home.

President Mutharika visibly irritated following a question from an inquiring journalist on the Zimbabwe situation, said for quite a long time, Britain was putting pressure on his government to speak out against the erosion of human rights and economic meltdown in Zimbabwe, a situation which has seen scores of Zimbabweans dying and few lucky ones fleeing the country.

However, Mutharika said he always wanted to follow well laid procedures within SADC.

"The British government has always wanted me to speak out against Robert Mugabe, but I have always kept quiet, because during one SADC summit, we agreed that we should speak with one voice through SADC and not just individually,” said President Mutharika.

“By pressing me to speak out, the British, you are wrong and at the same time, you have been undermining the sovereignty of Malawi. And for your information, you should know that SADC, is a highly disciplined entity," said, an angry Mutharika, shouting on top of his voice.

Mutharika said the British should realize that Malawi was not going to speak against Zimbabwe for the sake of pleasing other “quarters” who are not in favour of Mugabe.

"We shall always speak through SADC and not on our own. The British should know this. And we will not speak against Mugabe for the sake of pleasing them. We are a disciplined nation and we are not ready to throw that to the wind.

"And by accusing me for not speaking out, the British acted immorally and they need to know this," Mutharika said.

Mutharika has always been adamant on pressure to speak against Mugabe.

This is not the first time that he has blasted the British government over Zimbabwe, the country where he gave 400,000 metric tones of maize.

Meanwhile, Zambia President Banda has left Malawi after what he has called an "impressive trip".

He was visiting the country for the first time after been elected late last year in an election held following the death of the country's second post-democratic leader, Levi Mwanawasa.

While in the country, Banda, visited the final resting place of the country former Head of State Kamuzu Banda in Lilongwe.