About 50 opposition supporters in Malawi went into hiding following clashes with militant youths apparently aligned with the ruling party, opposition officials said on Sunday.
The opposition supporters fled the town on Zomba, 68 kilometres east of Blantyre, after militant youths beat those they suspected were against the president running for a third term, said Wilfred Shaba, an official of the opposition National Democratic Alliance.
Supporters of President Bakili Muluzi have been pushing to change the constitution to enable him to run for a third term. His second term is due to end in 2004.
Muluzi has not yet said whether he planned to try to extend his reign. Shaba said over the weekend vendors wearing a purple ribbon – which has been adopted as a symbol by those active in the anti-third term campaign – were targeted in the town’s market.
Several were beaten and had their stalls overturned.
Shaba said the police refused to protect them. Police officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, acknowledged the clashes and said an investigation was underway.
Presidential Affairs Minister Dumbo Lemani distanced the ruling United Democratic Front party from the violence.
”Our youths are disciplined but are only used as scapegoats by these failed politicians,” said Lemani who comes from Zomba.
Meanwhile, Muslim leaders in Malawi have given their support to the push for a presidential third term that would allow Muluzi, a fellow Muslim, to continue ruling the country.
Sheik Alhaj Omar Wochi, chairman of the Muslim Association of Malawi, told journalists Muslims do not see any sense in setting term limits for leaders.
”Even the holy Quran tells us that a leader is chosen by God,” he said. ”So why should we oppose the will of Allah?” Church groups in this poor southern African nation of 11-million people have been active in the campaign to squash the third term bid. – Sapa-AP