Law Society Questions Mutharika’s Authority to Suspend Parliament

By MFN Reporter

The Malawi Law Society has raised constitutional concerns over President Peter Mutharika’s decision to halt parliamentary proceedings, warning that the move risks undermining the independence of Parliament.

In a strongly worded statement, the lawyers’ body argued that Section 59(1) of the Constitution does not empower the President to dictate how the Speaker of Parliament should conduct parliamentary business.

The society said Mutharika had acted outside his constitutional authority by directing the suspension of parliamentary deliberations.

It also questioned Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleman’s decision to comply with the presidential directive, saying the development was disappointing.

The lawyers have urged Suleman to reconsider his position and allow Parliament to discharge its constitutional duties.

The intervention places fresh focus on the separation of powers between the Executive and Legislature, particularly the constitutional limits of presidential authority.

The controversy comes at a time when Parliament is expected to provide oversight and debate issues of national importance, making its independence a key issue in the ongoing dispute.