From: wsargeant@IGC.ORG (Winslow L. Sargeant)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.african
Subject: IPS:Malawi, security forces arrest oppos'
Date: 9 Apr 92 18:55:40 GMT

/* Written 11:03 am  Apr  9, 1992 by newsdesk in cdp:ips.englibrary */
/* ---------- "MALAWI: SECURITY FORCES ARREST OPPO" ---------- */
Copyright Inter Press Service 1992, all rights reserved.  Permission to re-
print within 7 days of original date only with permission from 'newsdesk'.

Title: MALAWI: SECURITY FORCES ARREST OPPOSITION LEADER


an inter press service feature

by obinna anyadike

lilongwe, apr 6 (ips) -- malawian trade unionist chakufwa
chihana, a strong advocate of pluralism, has been well aware of
what would befall him when he returned to his home country that
has tolerated no opposition since independence in 1964.

on his arrival at lilongwe, malawi's capital, monday from a
trip that took him to zambia and south africa, chihana was met
by security officials who whisked him off to an unknown
destination.

had he not been arrested, his primary mission assigned him by
malawian dissidents in exile was to mobilise inside malawi the
opposition forces demanding multiparty reform.

chihana left malawi a few weeks ago for zambia to rally the
various exile groups that would thrash out a political programme
to harness the opposition against president kamuzu banda's 28
years of dictatorial rule.

''the people want democracy, they want change. i don't fear
any persecution because i think the people are ready for that
change. dr banda has read the writing on the wall and is
panicking,'' chihana, 52, told ips.

the current southern african trade union coordinating council
secretary general, he was detained for seven years -- five of
those in solitary confinement -- in the 1970s for his political
dissidence and outspokenness.

but he believes that the time is now ripe for multipartysm in
malawi, ruled since independence in 1964 by banda as a one-party
state, which has been regularly slammed by international human
rights organisations for its brutal suppression of basic
freedoms.

but cracks have begun to appear in what previously was cast
iron control. in march, eight catholic bishops presented a
pastoral letter demanding political reform. this was followed by
student demonstrations in support.

there are reports that malawi's military hierarchy is also in
favour of change.

chihana's message to the various exile groups abroad is that
change can only take place within malawi. an interim committee,
which at a seminar in the zamabian capital, lusaka, he was
elected to lead, will agitate for the convening of a national
conference to map out malawi's political course. (more/ips)


malawi: security (2)

''i expect all malawians to unite together to change the
current situation in malawi. time is against dr banda, he is
going to die a very sad man,'' chihana said.

''in an abnormal situation like malawi, there are so many
people who have benefited from the abnormality. people have
social and political power because of their closeness to banda,
and to dislodge them is not going to be easy.

''time is very short, the country is at a crossroads and the
onus is on the government to take us seriously. if they don't,
the kenyan example (of recent political riots) will be a garden
picnic compared to ours. the stand we have taken is very risky
and some lives will be lost, but we must hold to our course,''
chihana added.

it is only recently that the west has begun to apply pressure
on malawi over its appalling human rights record.

while in zambia, chihana had had several meetings with
embassis, and had also visited south africa. according to one
western diplomat who preferred to remain anonymous, ''he has our
support''.

''the west now realises that malawi has no strategic value
and they must side with the people. we welcome this humanitarian
gesture, although it is late,'' chihana pointed out.
(end/ips/oa/ar/apc/92)

att editors: please relate the above story to ''malawi:
opposition leader arrested'' moved from lilongwe.
Newsgroups: soc.culture.african,soc.culture.african.american