Malawi daily newspaper says veep Chilima making sense on Covid-19  input

Malawi’s influential and leading daily newspaper The Nation on Monday April 27 backed  the country’s estranged Vice-President Saulos Chilima  address on the National Situation and Response to  coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, saying his input “makes sense.”

Chilima commending the UTM team that set up the command center

In its extended coverage of Chilima’s televised address which he  dared President Peter Mutharika to demonstrate leadership in the fight against Covid-19  by bringing on board all stakeholders to be part of an inclusive national response, The Nation, used an editorial comment to  back his alternative views.

The paper pointed out that legally, the Office of the Vice President relies on delegation from the President, but that is not the case anymore between President Mutharika and Chilima who have turned unto fierce political foe.

On inclusivity in the national response on Covid-19, the paper stated that while the Vice-President was not necessarily reinventing the wheel in his appeal, coming from an estranged Second Citizen, his appeal strengthen the case of inclusivity.

“It does not help the nation or anyone to sweep alternative views under the carpet or indeed dismiss them as ‘politics’ as is often the case,” the paper pointed out.

It observed that fighting a pandemic of the nature of Covid-19 requires “concerted efforts” from health professionals, opinion leaders, captains of the industry, civil society leaders, the clergy and  even opposition politicians.

“Like we said the other day, no one has the monopoly of wisdom and two hearts  are better than once,” reads the comment.

The paper states that it is time as a country  to draw  some lessons from others who have taken an inclusive approach and are facing little or no  resistance in the implementation of Covid-19 precautionary  measures, including the controversial lockdown which sparked spontaneous protests in Malawi.

Malawi’s leading daily newspaper pointed out that Chilima and many other offering alternative strategies should not be dismissed.

“The issues they raise should be considered in good  faith and not seen with disdain largely emanating from political differences. The pandemic knows no political colour. it is attacking everyone rich or poor, religious or otherwise,” reads the comment in conclusion.

In his  speech titled Remarks by the Right Honourable State Vice- President of the Republic of Malawi on the National Situation and Response to Covid-19,  Chilima  said to win the fight against the pandemic it is important that the response should be owned by the nation.

He said the Covid-19 pandemic should not be used as an opportunity to gain political mileage.

“The stakes are way too high for us to be grandstanding and seeking to gain political advantage out of this. Let us together own the solution to this crisis in the spirit of umunthu [humanity],” said Chilima.

Minister of Information, Civic Education and Communications Mark Botomani, who is the official government spokesperson, said  government would come up with a comprehensive response on the issues raised.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!

Follow us in Twitter
9 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Kalvin kaliwamba
Kalvin kaliwamba
3 years ago

Whether you like it or not no lockdown in Malawi we will be back on the streets if you try again.Muona nyekhwe!!! You must learn to listen mwamva apumbwa ndikuba kwanuko.You can’t fool all the people all the time.we gonna stand up for our rights.

kaukonde
kaukonde
3 years ago

In south africa as we speak Tito Mboweni the minister of finance says foreigners should not benefit from food handout while Julius Malema says all people in South Africa should benefit including foreigners. Nation will always praise chilima even if he enters the toilet.

phiri
phiri
3 years ago

Chilima is obnoxiously power hungry.

Mangaliso
Mangaliso
3 years ago

From comments on chilima stories as per nyasatimes, one would say nation newspaper is lying

Na bi soo
Na bi soo
3 years ago

When SKC speaks the Nation listens viva…..SKC

Banda
Banda
3 years ago

Has The Nation been taken over by UTM? We know Times for MCP. What Chilima said is completely useless. Let him keep quiet. Akutibowa tsopano.

Nana
Nana
3 years ago

What sense from an idiot attention seeker?

Bob Finye
Bob Finye
3 years ago

We don’t need alternative views when current strategy has not been tried and failed.

Bwana Wa Ulesi
Bwana Wa Ulesi
3 years ago

Useless

Read previous post:
Do not be misled, Malawi fresh elections will go ahead – Chilima

Vice-President Saulos Chilima has said the  nation will hold the fresh presidential elections  as  ordered by the Constitutional Court and...

Close