Allegations of a coup plot sour diplomatic ties
The US embassy has denied involvement in an alleged plot to overthrow the president, Peter Mutharika.
Analysis
Media reports that the US ambassador to Malawi, Virginia Palmer, met with the leader of the opposition, Lazarus Chakwera, to plot a coup have been dismissed by her office as "mere fabrications". Mr Chakwera, of the Malawi Congress Party, has also denied that such plans to overthrow the government exist, and other opposition figures claim that the story was orchestrated by the state machinery in an attempt to raise doubts over rival parties' commitment to democracy. The parliamentary leader of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party has nevertheless confirmed that the government is investigating the allegations.
Should the investigation progress, there is a risk that it w...