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Opposition Said Disappointed Over Alleged Mutharika Threat to Donors

   Peter Clottey 26 August 2010

   The  director  of  research  for Malawiâs opposition United Democratic
   Front  (UDF)  party  has  expressed  shock  after  President  Bingu Wa
   Mutharika   allegedly  threatened  to  expel  donors  and  close  down
   newspapers for reporting that about one million Malawians were in need
   of food aid.

   Humphrey Mvula described President Mutharikaâs threats as unfortunate,
   adding  that  Malawi  could  be plunged into crisis if donors pull out
   their financial support for the countryâs budget.

   âOur   president  (was)  expressing  anger  (and)  disappointment  and
   possibly  indicating  that  look,  Iâve  invested  so  much  into this
   project...  I donât think a newspaper will print a report generated by
   itself.  It  will  print  a  report  coming off from a researcher or a
   research  organization.  So, a newspaper is only a messenger (and) you
   should not kill a messenger,â he said.

   Malawi President Bingu Wa Mutharika (file)

   Mr.  Mutharika  was reportedly displeased with a newspaper report that
   Malawi faces a food crisis due to crop failure.

   Observers  say  the  report  undermines  Mr. Mutharikaâs food security
   policy   which   initially  attracted  both  local  and  international
   recognition.

   Some  economists say Malawiâs economy could face serious difficulty if
   donors withheld their financial support.

   The  country  relies  heavily  on  international  aid according for an
   estimated 40 percent of the budget.

   The donors include the Common Approach to Budget Support group (Cabs),
   a donor grouping of Britain, the European Commission, Norway, Germany,
   the World Bank and the African Development Bank.

   Opposition  researcher  Mvula  said  donor  support  is  essential  to
   Malawiâs budget.

   âTechnically, we cannot do without donors for the moment. We have a 30
   percent  deficit on our budget. We still have so many humanitarian aid
   that  come  off from our donors. So, there is no way we will wish them
   away from this country. We cannot do that for the moment,â Mvula said.

   He also expressed hope that President Mutharika will quickly amend the
   possible  rift  with  the  countryâs  donor community over his alleged
   threats.

   Opposition  researcher  Mvula  urged  the donor community to transcend
   President Mutharikaâs pronouncement, saying their financial support is
   for the betterment of the ordinary poor Malawian.

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