International Development: Malawi - "These soldiers may shoot you... so don't accuse my government of abusing human rights if they shoot you"

Malawi's President Bingu wa Mutharika, has told a rally that food aid convoys will be protected by troops with orders to shoot looter. In a statement that leaves little room for misinterpretation, he warned, "These soldiers may shoot you... so don't accuse my government of abusing human rights if they shoot you".

The BBC, reports that Mr Mutharika said his government had uncovered a plot by opponents to ambush trucks ferrying maize so that they could accuse him of failing to contain the food crisis.

There is always a lot of money and political mileage to be made out of poverty.