Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lilongwe (Agenzia Fides) - In a statement released yesterday afternoon, July 21, and sent to Fides, the Bishops of Malawi declare they are "deeply concerned about the turn of events regarding the demonstrations on 20 July". On that day a national protest demonstration had been called which involved the major cities of the Country (see Fides 20/7/2011). The situation, however, degenerated in various cities, shops were ransacked and bloody clashes with security forces occurred. A first toll says that in the past two days at least 18 people died, dozens were injured. The security forces announced the arrest of 275 people.
The population had been invited to take to the streets by the opposition to protest against the most serious economic crisis and against the policy of President Bingu wa Mutharika, who also caused a worsening of relations with Great Britain, resulting in the suspension of financial aid from London to the country.
In their message the Bishops ask "the demonstrators, Catholics and all people of good will, to immediately stop all forms of violence and ransacking, to remember that we are all created in God's image, to refrain from any form of violent language and to create space for genuine and reasonable dialogue".
The Episcopal Conference of Malawi asks the government to "open a clear line of dialogue with all stakeholders; to listen carefully and honestly to the suffering of the people; to safeguard lives and property of people and to do it in a professional manner". "Let us pray that peace and calm that have marked Malawi as a nation, continue to prevail and that everyone can be instrument of this peace" concludes the Bishops’ message. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 07/22/2011)
