Donors urge consultation over third term

Malawi's four major donors have asked that the government of President Bakili Muluzi allow wider consultation before going to parliament with another bill aimed at allowing him to run for a third term. There has been mounting pressure from churches, human rights NGOs and the international community over the third-term issue. In a joint statement on Monday issued from the capital Lilongwe, the envoys of Germany, Norway, Britain and the European Union said they were aware that the bill on presidential term limits was gazetted for debate during the October session of the National Assembly. "We note with regret that the tabling of the previous bill increased tensions within Malawian society, resulting in a ban on demonstrations, increases in the level of intimidation and political violence and allegations of corruption. "We would again strongly urge that such an important constitutional amendment be considered only after a consultation process that encourages the free expression of views by all interested Malawians, without fear of intimidation or retribution and in accordance with democratic principles," the envoys said. A similar bill, to amend section 83 (3) of the constitution to allow any serving president to stand for a third five-year term in office, was narrowly defeated during the previous sitting of parliament on 4 July. Muluzi, whose second and final term of office expires in 2004, has so far maintained an official silence over the issue. But the political temperature has been rising since Attorney-General and Justice Minister Henry Phoya announced that he would retable a constitutional amendment bill. Two people have been killed and 13 people arrested in political violence in the Mulanje district, 60 km east of Blantyre, in clashes between supporters of the ruling United Democratic Front and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), a lobby group opposed to a third term for Muluzi. The country's Human Rights Commission has launched an investigation following an official complaint from the NDA. Over the weekend, Muluzi again banned all demonstrations related to his possible third-term bid.