Malawi's President Angry at Court
By Associated Press

June 4, 2002, 10:39 AM EDT

BLANTYRE, Malawi -- Malawi's president ordered the country Tuesday to ignore
a High Court ruling overturning his ban on demonstrations relating to his
possible third-term bid.

President Bakili Muluzi dismissed Monday's High Court ruling as
"irresponsible and insensitive."

High Court Judge Dunstain Mwaungulu said Muluzi's ban violated
constitutional rights of freedom of expression and assembly. The court is
the second highest in the southern African country of 11 million.

The standoff adds to the already strained relationship between the ruling
party and the judiciary.

Major church groups have announced plans for demonstrations across the
country Friday to dissuade Muluzi from a third-term bid.

Muluzi's second term ends in 2004. Many ruling party members have been
pushing him to run again although the constitution restricts presidents to
two five-year terms.

Muluzi said last week he would evoke emergency powers to stop all
demonstrations related to the debate. On Tuesday, he told reporters he
planned to instruct the police and the army to block any protests.

In the university town of Zomba, 40 miles east of Blantyre, police turned
back students trying to mount an anti-government march.

Forces were on high alert for potential unrest.
Copyright © 2002, The Associated Press

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