Opposition shun Republic Celebrations

The opposition in Malawi on Friday shunned the 43^rd Republic Celebrations fearing that they would be rebuked in the public .

Last week Parliament was forced to adjourn because the opposition which has more Members of Parliament(MPs) insisted that the Speaker should declare the seats of some MPs vacant before they can discuss about the 2007/2008 budget.

Government has condemned the opposition saying the opposition was supposed to put aside their grievances to attend the national day.

In his address during the celebrations the President of Malawi Dr Bingu WA Mutharika recognised the role played by former President of Malawi in laying down the foundation for the development of the country.

This is in a big contrast to the former President Dr. Bakili Muluzi who did not have kind words for the former President Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda .

Dr Bingu Wa Mutharika who was Secretary General of Common Marker for East and Southern Africa(COMESA) said Malawi has had enough food for two consecutive years after persistent hunger for a number of consecutive years.

The opposition in Malawi want to impeach the President once the seats of most of the MPs of his party are declared vacant.

However, the High Court in Malawi last year squashed the impeachment procedures saying it was not in line with natural justice.