Nominated mohammed asked the dani to be Prime Minister after elections in october fell to produce the government. But to the support that mitochondrial thunder say, they reject the choice of the empties. They are now demanding a complete change in the political system of called on all iraqis to join the protests. I would, after why had reports now from baghdad. The gains on his home to government offices and also International Diplomatic missions. Now that have because were call the president of the go to this region, november rezani has called on the political arrival factions to come to court this time and being dated in, in negotiations to in this crisis. But these protest her say that they will not leave until their demands are met. A narrow the headlines issa a red cross as it still waiting for russia to grant access to people who were injured and strikes on a facility holding prisoners of war in east and ukraine. This, despite russias defense mystery, inviting me to National Committee of the red cross. Im United Nations to investigate the facility. At least 50 ukrainian prisoners of war were killed on thursday when the only new co Detention Camp was bombed, in a separate control part of the dumbass region over 70 all the people were also wounded. Moscow and ukraine are accusing each other of attacking the facility. Weve also been following developments in beirut for the past couple of hours. A part of the citys port silos has collapsed because of a grain fire. Now these items were damaged in the huge exposure that took place at this pause. In august 2020, that had left more than 200 people, dead grain being stored in the silos court fire earlier this month due to hot weather mammogram up right now. The other big story of the hour, england of beaten germany in the final of the womens European Championship in la fords, chloe kellys school, the winning goal after the game, had gone into extra time. The england lioness is now on biesen. Since dutch coach serena wideman took charge and those he had lines ah ah, milan, we have enjoyed peace and political stability since its independence and 1964. But the landlocked nation is heavily dependent on foreign aid and food imports. And food scarcity has become a pressing issue. According to the wild food program at some 5400000. 00 malawi, and thats 33 percent of the population. Dont have enough to eat. The cobra 19 pandemic. And the war in ukraine have made things worse for the small country and its people facing rising inflation. Hundreds of people have been protesting against the government of president lazarus to clara who took office in 2020 promising and ambitious economic agenda. At least 70 protesters have been detained. Raising questions about the president s commitment to democratic freedoms. Chic where his government has ordered an investigation against former president pete in which a rica in connection with the matter of an albino man and 2018 people with albinism in the region are often a target of human rights abuses, stigmatization and discrimination. And while president guerra says human rights must be guaranteed to all malawi. Ians Police Detained investigative journalist, gregory conway, who said he was pressured to reveal his sources on a government corruption story. With his time, an office ending in 2025, wilma lovin see the country and economy their lead a promise to deliver. During his president ial campaign, the president of milan lazarus took where it talks to al jazeera ah, ah lazarus to clara president of malawi. Thank you for talking to alex rivera. I want to start with a pressing issue for your administration and for many millions the global food crisis. Now we know that maloney is a very heavy net food importer in 2018. Something like 17 percent of that came from russia, i believe, including majority of your wheat. Now since the start of the war in ukraine, the price of a bag of flour i believe, has risen by 42 percent. And weve also seen floods late rains. How, why do you about your country going hungry, sir . You know, these real issues you raise their war has not helped me, because prices are food, fuel and fertilizers have 5, and youre right about our consumption, particularly. We related food stamps is been affected negatively. We pray for peace and we pray for there was a list of this things. However, what we are doing currently is to diversify and have other food systems that can enter into the equation. So we can still survive and thrive this period despite the pain that we all experienced. As a result of the shortage. Im curious about what you mean by diversify, because i see the well feed program says Something Like a 3rd of your people are currently facing moderate to severe chronic food and security. I know you removed the a t on cooking oil and a number of other products earlier this year till that isnt enough. So what are your other plans to tackle free prices . We did remove. Ready d, and some of they ported materials that are needed desperately. We did have a shortage in terms of major production. Even though what we were able to produce would still be on average higher than the last 5 years. But we are encourage into production, cassava, potato and others in order to supplement that which cannot be important. And so our biggest challenge right now is to be sure that you have been in places where there were floods because of cycle and, and gone bay and drought because the res came late, we should have sufficient supply of mays to cover everyone. And we believe that that is doable, of course. But amidst all of this, weve seen inflation skyrocket. Equator has been d valuing, and theres also a Foreign Exchange issue around that. Yes, they did. My ration of departure was a necessary evil. And i think bad realignment has helped a lot for free up some for x, so that were able to. Busy important what is necessary, our continued discussions with the i m f r given us prospects of our whole that we could have a program with them. But their responsibility would still be on us to produce added value to what we produce and then export. And you mentioned the i m f, i understand that theyve said they will pay well they will give aid to malawi as long as the Massive Public debt issue is dealt with. I see youve also introduced or sarah see measures, but its also hitting the Public Health sector. So now there are fewer ambulances than allowed to collect the dead patients in hospital of any getting one meal a day. I mean, thats really quite the trade off. Quite the sacrifice, our discussions with the im mia, hes on, for example, how to manage our did because its become in something that causes distress. And so we believe that our discussions are bearing fruit because we had entered into certain deaths, some of which we inherited very expensive rates. Were believe that this to can be managed. You say that youve been met with understanding, but there has also been a lot of disillusionment and anger. You ran on a campaign that got you elected to produce 1000000 jobs. Now in february, february, you told parliament shed created 997423. 00 jobs in the last year. Thats very specific number. The year before the some 600000 jobs will last. And i know that you will form a labor miss that expected 1500000 job losses due to the pandemic. So let me ask you then, so how many jobs have you actually created since the start of your term . And are you satisfied with them . When youre talking about jobs, were talking about sources of income that could give someone a livelihood. And because of the panoramic 2 year pandemic, yes, jobs were lost and Many Companies were closed. Others are just trying to buy. We have also tried to do the best we can encourage Construction Industry infrastructure across the country to make sure that people get jobs. Our National Economic empowerment funds has dispersed the 37200000000 boucher to various groups in order for them to create such jobs. 162000 such groups have been to help across the country. We are just trying the best we can within the circumstance that you are right, that the pain is being felt by every one. But we want to be sure, even though the whole world is, is, is sharing in these issues. We want to be sure that we can mitigate them. We have to do a sion and be sure that people will gone well. It seems that there are many people who dont believe that your administration has being very successful at this mitigation, so to speak. There have obviously been Anti Government protests that weve seen several rounds of them april last year in november last year, and also just in the last few weeks. So in your minds then, who are the people who are on the streets, who are marching . And what do they want . Do they have a valid complaint . You know, it is a constitutional right that for people to protest and to do it display on to do it safely. And so if you also consider the hundreds and thousands of those that we have been able to do, it helps through social cash transfers across the country, affecting over 4000000 people. And these other issues and programs that i just mention about empowerment that is not an answer for everyone. And so we realize that this is not supplied the jobs that are needed for everybody. And so they are, protest didnt have a right to do that, but we are also doing something that if you asked that millions that have been held, they would also tell a story that sometimes is not being towed when the emphasis is just on those protest. Doctor to claire, you talk about the constitutional right to protest, but in this latest round, Something Like at least 70 people were arrested during these protests. And that does also include human rights activists. I believe an injunction was also issued to try to stop the protest from taking place. That doesnt give a very good impression of will always commitment to democratic freedom. Or you have to understand when i said, people have a right to protest visually. You will notice that they have been hundreds of people that were not theyve been arrested. And so in this particular case, you refer to. There was a case where people begun alluding, breaking into shops, and the police have been recovered some of those stolen items and returning them to the shop owners. This is definitely a criminal, but it has nothing to do with whether people should be able to protest or not. In fact, to other companies and other groups of people continue to protest regarding several issues that they are not happy about. This is a particular case where people are asking charges of criminality. A number of human rights activists were also arrested. Will you make a big commitment then that if people are not participating in criminal activity, they will be released. They will be released, my permitted man has never wavered. Oh, let me ask you then about other democratic freedoms like press freedom malawi, i see has been falling, and the ranking for media freedom. An investigative journalist was detained, back in april, interrogated while working on a story specifically about government corruption. I believe a nurse was recently arrested for insulting usa on whats up. Another man was arrested as well for insulting the minister of labor. Now, earlier this month, you yourself said that no journalist is in jail for publishing negative stories about the government, nor for insulting the president. Do you still hold that to be true . As they are . Do you must understand. When such things happen, they have been one or 2 cases. We have need that in the bud precisely because we do not want people to feel like they have no freedom to express themselves that god is pretty clear on and so far as im concerned, i have stated not once, but many times that i will not have journalists harassed or imprison, so those people have been released and you as the president , do you believe that people can publicly insult you or they are doing that daily . Well, so one of the things that people have been criticizing you for has been allegations of corruption. Now your former labor minister lands minister, energy minister, are all being investigated, not to mention the vice president. I see in january, the catholic archbishop and several bishops in malawi, along with Civil Society groups. They released the statement that said the cancer of corruption sadly. Now imbedded in malawi, as launch and responsible for keeping the country very poor and underdeveloped. You stacked your entire cabinets just a few days later. How confident are you that your new cabinet is entirely clean . Well, you know, even as we speak, you know, there is a National Conference and resetting moral tone as a nation. And i want everyone to know that we do have that political wheel. But we must address such issues across the board. And we must have all stakeholders participate, and this is the conversation that is currently taking place, but it goes beyond the conversation. Doesnt that go into systems and implementation of those systems . So let me ask you then mister president , how was your new cabinet vetted the cabinet is doing fine. I can tell you that every time that we have issues raised, we know that they are institutions that are mandated to investigate the same. You have been witness to the actions that i have taken and we werent been this morning brief on what has been done, not just talking but the talk and still needs to happen because everyone must participate and then i agree on their way forward. Let me rephrase my question then mister president , whats different this time round with your cabinet . What will stop corruption from happening now . Ever want to scan . They can, they can just well, nearly do whatever they would want. That is the message that is that even at capitol hill, you must understand that even this studies will show you that much of their rupture and as much as politicians will be central to it because of their political will. Thats needed. A lot of public sector, private sector collusion hasnt been bad. This is what we are addressing currently. Well, you yourself have been accused of nepotism. I know youve taken it very personally when your daughter, violets positions, were questioned. I believe she now holds a position that the Malawi Embassy in london, your son in law, sean camp, denny is your executive assistant, the state house director of communications. Now obviously Public Perception, as youve alluded to, is hugely important. So what would you say to those who believe that you are just perpetuating the behavior that you self of has criticized . You must understand that a person like john come funding, for example, has been with me from 2013. And nobody said anything at that time. And so he is the one that works with me. But even those that have raised that question, have come to realize that this is not really the issue because we can show you that there are so many others that are qualified, that have been deployed in various ministries and departments on the edges of this government through the end that you come out, take one example and then blow it like youd say anything out of proportion. But im just talking about Public Perception here. And i think that thats a fair question to ask because other people have raised it as well. And its about how people view you and how you, your government. And i know that you very recently assured me allow, in that you will achieve your vision fuel plans for your developments of the country. That the desire by profits of doom to see you fail will not succeed. So let me ask you, in terms of perception and the way that youre trying to communicate with your electorate, who are these prophets of doom . And they want to say, come out rise, anyone who says not been worked. Anyone who say is that this country will never develop. Thats who im talking about. Im talking about people who instead of encouraging others to work like we wanted to work and get the my united and it is not a specific name. Im just talking about the attitude that needs to change in order for malaria to truly arise. Well, one of the other critics very vocal critiques of your administration is former president piece was a recall after that 2900 election debacle. What is your relationship like now . I see that your government has also recently requested that he be investigated in connection with a murder of an albino. Those matters came out of poor hearings and poor judgments and so forth. But my relationship with the former president as well as other former president s, is claudio. And so presumably youll watch that case of the ill be in the take place and you encourage a full investigation to take place. I will not force anyone to do anything. I would just let those who did, and because me i want people with ive been is, am protected. I want them to leave freely work freely rom freely in this country. This is the land. I want everyone to be able to feel safe, that as well. I, we, we can do that well, so id like to ask you about another case of interest thats come up recently as well. A chinese man who is now being charged for producing races, videos, getting malory and children to say derogatory things about themselves in chinese. Can i ask you personally, what went through your mind when you saw those reports, especially given how involved china isnt allowing. I wasnt happy about the foot edges that i so when this thing was revealed, but they appeal is to everyone. Its not abuse. Others for whatever reason, let us leave as youre managing one family. Your country obviously has a very robust relationship with beijing. China even built your parliament house. And i see you Just Launched the National Data center that will host all government wide systems thats built in coordination with the chinese government. I believe theyve even commissioned while way to run it. Now at below is Independence Day celebrations. This year you spoke about the dangers of foreign exploitation, and i quote, malawi, you could choose between being a puppet or porn in the race between the east and the west, or rather becoming a shining example in the global south. How do you feel that race between east and west of playing out and africa . Well, some of these political wagner was handled as diplomatic, as we can allow, for example, and africa needs to have relations with all of the nations. And someone should not be able to say dont talk to so on. So if they are not their friend, because we should be able to talk to everyone because we have so decided, let me ask you an under plastic question. Then mr. President , given that tensions are rising between the east and the west, if forced to choose, who would you choose . We do not want to be put in a position where use your code. You choose either this one or both, not either or him, but both and well. Then you also spoke about malawi becoming a shining example of the global south. And obviously one of the big challenges that the global south is currently facing is climate change. What are you doing in terms of trying to adapt to this changing walden and do you actually have, what you need to do is it may not have all we need to do. But whatever we have, we are wanting to use it to do it. We have embarked on projects, for example, in earn a j, where many agrees across the country are being encouraged. Apart from the main agreed, in order for us to have the necessary power for our process and industries and for other industries, because that is number one need in the country. But all of this requires resources and resources requires the rest of the while to be involved, especially when were talking about a country like malawi, thats heavily dependent on aid. So let me ask you, i know youve previously spoken about wanting africa. Have a, a permanent seat at the un security council. How realistic do you think that is and how much would that change thing . It is really a stick question because the time has changed since they you and you know, was versus that out of the league of nations. Most african countries were not even independent at that time. Now youre talking about 1200000000 people on the continent. No permanent seat, the u. N. That is a travesty of justice. Im one to turn to the region as well because you are currently the chair of the Southern AfricanDevelopment Community or authentic and you are handing power over the next month. I believe. Now in the time that youve been in that position, youve had to deal with the ongoing insurgency in mozambique unrest and its a teeny and i know elections and bob way, just round the corner. Where do you see the racist ongoing mutual threats . Yes. Next month ill be handing over the chair shipped to the president. Its a jeddy, but i can assure you that youve been with the issues bedeviled us in most of the about their god. We are handling this as a region together with the cooperation more di, laterally, that also most on big has a right bilaterally to have with others. And so we will continue to do that even in d. C, and other parts of southern africa. Because when realize that piece is definitely definitely needed in order for us to realize in our gratian agenda that we have for transformation and industrialization. While speaking of transformations, you often speak about a new malawi. Arising, your current time ends in 2025, given the broad challenges that youre facing now as a country and within the context of, of the great, great global challenges at the wild faces. All you confidence that well see the dawn of a new malawi before then im more than confident i can tell you that they are things that this country has and some of which things are actually being are discovered right now. So the prospects are huge. We are suffering metal is Just Announced that they have discovered in malawi, the biggest a deposit, so brutal of any where in the world. And we do have others for minerals across the country upon from what were trying to do in agriculture, in order to have good commercialized and mechanized. And they are processed in factories that we want to have. We do believe that this country has the prospect to really be on the trajectory of Real Development and i have no doubts about it. Now there is 2 class president maloney, thank you for talking to out. Yeah. Youre welcome. Ah ah ah ah. Save that. Mm hm. And then International Anti corpse and Excellence Award bought now for your hero. Ah oh, im mary m m i z and london. Our main story. This our, the standoff between rival political goods in iraq is resulted in continued unrest