Mass Demonstrations On

Organisers of the July 20, 2011 Mass Demonstrations against bad governance say the protests will go on despite government's counter-efforts.
Undule Mwakasungula, Human Rights Consultative Committee's Chairperson, says civil society organisations are not shaken by counter-efforts being orchestrated by purpoted government zealots, describing them (government's counter-efforts) as counter-productive.
"We will go on with the planned demonstrations, and these will take place simultaneously in Mzuzu, Blantyre and Lilongwe (cities)," says Mwakasungula.
Malawians are currently grappling with an economy-racking forex shortage, a problem compounded by fuel shortages across the Southern African Development Community member state.
This has prompted civil society leaders to organise demonstrations.
On Thursday, Britain announced that it had cut aid to Malawi by K5.3 billion, but assured Malawians that direct assistance to social services would continue.
The United Kingdom's action is the latest twist to the chasing of its High Commissioner to Malawi, Fergus Cochraine-Dyet earlier this year on allegations that he was interfering in the internal matters of Malawi.
The UK retaliated by sending Malawi's envoy back home.
Now, with the latest development, hopes of the country's former colonial master ever appointing another envoy (in place of the 'chased' Cochrane-Dyet) are fast disappearing.