Malawi mum on suspended US aid

BLANTYRE – Malawi kept mum yesterday on the US suspension of a $350 million (N$2,3 billion) grant after last week’s deadly protests, but local media lashed President Bingu wa Mutharika over the latest blow to the poor nation.

Finance minister Ken Kandodo said he was ‘not aware of the development as I have not been communicated to, so I cannot comment.’Information minister Symon Vuwa Kaunda and presidential spokesman Hetherwick Ntaba also refused to comment.Under Mutharika’s tightly controlled administration, ministers rarely dare speak out until the president himself has commented.But the independent Daily Times, in an editorial entitled ‘Where is Malawi headed to?’ wrote: ‘The straw that broke the camel’s back is the government’s rabid effort and highhanded manner in which it tried to quell the demonstrations.’The daily, run by the family of the late dictator Kamuzu Banda, said the country ‘needs every penny its partners pledge to help.’’This is particularly so now when the country’s economy is teetering on the brink of collapse under the heavy burden of the twin fuel and forex shortages and electricity outgages,’ it said.’Good leaders are discerning and read the writing on the wall and then do the needful,’ the newspaper added.The Millennium Challenge Corporation, a US government body that assists developing countries that commit to standards on democracy and basic rights, said it was halting all activities while it makes a final decision on the grant which meant to improve the electricity supply.The corporation said in a statement it was ‘deeply concerned by recent events in Malawi and is placing an immediate hold on all programme operations in order to review its partnership with Malawi.’Mutharika had promised good governance when he signed the grant with the US agency in April. Mutharika, 77, had earlier won praise for stopping a famine through expensive fertiliser subsidies.But Mutharika vowed last week to crack down on protests that accused him of mismanaging the economy and trampling on democratic rights, accusing the opposition of attempting a coup.Nineteen protesters have died after being shot by police who used live bullets to break up the crowds.Britain, another key donor, also suspended aid to Malawi this month out of concern over economic management and governance.Malawi had expelled Britain’s envoy after website WikiLeaks published a leaked diplomatic cable in which London accused Mutharika of ‘becoming ever more autocratic and intolerant of criticism.’- Nampa-AFP