HH discusses political situation in Malawi
The opposition leader for the United Party for National Development (UPND), Hakainde Hichilema, has praised Malawi on its handling of the 2019 presidential election in which the court ruled that it be nullified and that fresh elections be held in 150 days.
HH praised the people of Malawi “for upholding the values and ideals of institutions of governance, democracy and the rule of law, in the landmark decision by the Malawian courts that led to the nullification of the 2019 Presidential elections”.
He spoke of his pride that Malawi “still has a judiciary and that there are members of the judiciary that are able to do what is right”. He spoke of his respect for the members of the judiciary who had clearly withstood countless temptations that were offered to them.
“The courts must be the place of last recourse, where we go to seek justice. Injustices are done every day in our elections, we know it here in Zambia, 2015, 2016..we know it”.
HH spoke of his regret that there has not been similar scrutiny or justice in Zambia following the corruption that occurred throughout Zambia’s election in 2016. “Unfortunately it did not happen in this country, but it’s happened in Malawi and we are so proud of Malawi’s constitutional court’s decision. I hope we can all learn something from this ruling, that you cannot continue cheating the people, the very people who give you an opportunity to save them”.
He congratulated the opposition in Malawi and praised their ability of “coming together”. He spoke of their stark difference to Zambian opposition who are fragmented in comparison, stating, “here we have some oppositions who are surrogates to the ruling party, who are used to abuse fellow opposition”.
HH also commended the Malawian citizens and voters “who did not allow for their vote to be manipulated and when their vote was manipulated they showed it and went to the streets to express their displeasure on how someone had stolen their votes. They did it for months and it encouraged the judiciary. The battle and fight must be fought from different ends”.
