Malawi govt need to make statement on President’s health

The President’s health is subject of speculation and causing anxiety among Malawians. Some civil society organisations and political commentators have called for the president to step aside for the vice president to take over until he fully recovers. However, the government have maintained a tip lip over the president health as if “he is enjoying robust health.”

Onlookers were suspicious that upon arrival, the president used his left hand to wave to the crowd and greet dignitaries. The prolonged stay in the US where the president went for the UN General Assembly and the lack of credible information has already damaged the credibility of government. It is like Malawians are still living in a one party state where everything is done in secret. One would have thought DPP has learnt a lesson from the mistakes of the past.

Those who are hiding the status of the president health may be viewed as having clandestine motives. They may be  pushing their own personal agenda and making crucial decisions on his behalf.  Already civil society organisations and the experts have questioned the appointments of the judges and the chairperson of Malawi Electoral Commission.

For example, legal expert Sunduzwayo Madise is sceptical about the appointments. He writes: “I am unclear as to exactly how these judicial appointments have been made.” Indeed one wonders how the president could have made such appointments when his away reportedly unwell.

To call it a spade a spade, it is normal for any person to get ill. Every person gets sick at one point in their lives. So why the secrecy? By withholding the information from Malawians those close to him are giving the impression that they want to be governing behind his back. They want to be using his name for their own benefit.

For example, it was announced on Sunday that the President will launch the ID project on Wednesday 19. But now the launch has been postponed because the National Registration Bureau want to address some shortfalls before the launch. Really?

The failure to launch of the national identity project is a graphic example of how those close to him want to hoodwink Malawians that all was well. For how long are they going to hide the truth? Sooner or later they will run of lies and the truth will be known.

When President Michael Sata was ill in the UK the Zambian government came out in the open to information the nation about his health status. They were even updating the nation about his status.

Government should come in the open and issue a statement about the president’s health. The silence is not good for the nation. It is fueling speculation and rumour mongering because there is a blackout surrounding the president’s health. Those close to the president should show leadership and accept reality.

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