Funeral of riot victims blocked by authorities

The authorities in Malawi have forbidden a mass funeral for seven people killed during rioting in the northern town of Mzuzu. The deaths followed two days of rioting and protests that left 18 dead across the southern African country

Reuters/Eldson Chagara

Other funerals are planned in the capital, Lilongwe and the economic hub, Blantyre.

A total of 275 people have been arrested mostly in the capital, Lilongwe, where soldiers patrolled the empty streets on Friday.

On Wednesday and Thursday, police used tear gas and fired live ammunition to break up protests across the country as demonstrators took to the streets accusing President Bingu wa Mutharika of badly handling the economy and abusing democratic rights.

A police spokesman told the French news agency that those arrested faced charges of malicious damage to property, arson and conduct likely to cause breach of the peace.

The riots highlight growing discontent against the 77-year-old Mutharika, who won a second term in office in May 2009.

Mutharika had initially earned praise in his first term for ending a famine with popular but expensive fertilizer subsidies.

But last week Britain became the latest donor to cut aid to Malawi over concerns about economic mismanagement and Mutharika's moves to rein in the media, restrict lawsuits against the government and limit protests.