President Peter Mutharika has appealed to Malawians to continue living in unity for the country to attain meaningful development and spoke against calls for northern region to be a stand alone countryu.
Mutharika was speaking on Saturday at Mzuzu Upper Stadium during his first development rally since he ascended to the position of the highest office of the president in May 2014.
The President said for Malawi to achieve meaningful developments Malawians must join hands regardless of political affiliation, tribe, religion and colour.
President Peter Mutharika: Calls for unity
President Mutharika then called on political, religious and traditional leaders to work together with the current Government and bury their differences if there are any.
“Let us build this country together, if they are some disagreements, then let us come together and discuss for the good of our country. Malawi is a small country so if we divide it further it will not help us,” said the Malawi leader.
His appeal comes amid calls by some opposition political party leaders that Malawi’s northern region should secede or that the country should adopt a federal system of government to ensure equitable distribution of developmental projects in all the regions.
“I appeal to church leaders, civil society organisations, political leaders and all people of this country that let us unite to resolve differences and forge ahead as one nation,” President Mutharika said.
Mutharika explained that his government has lined up a number of development programmes in the country including the Northern region.
He said his government will soon embark on constructing the Mombera University in Mzimba, the Mzimba-Kafukule Road and the Jenda-Edingeni Road.
The Malawi Leader assured the people in the North that his government will in second phase of his development programmes upgrade the Mzuzu-Nkhata Bay Road, construct the Nyika and Chikangawa-Nkhata Bay roads in order to open up the Northern region for various developments.
“But for all these developments to take place, we need to unite as one country. Malawi is a small country. Let’s not break it,” President Mutharika said.
Speaking earlier, Vice-President of Democrat Progressive Party (DPP) responsible for Northern Region, Nick Masebo, who is also Advisor to the President on Youth affairs called upon Malawians to desist from listening to what he called jealousy politicians who want to divide Malawians after losing in the May elections.
Masebo said those who are championing for cessation of the North or federal government in this country are doing that for their personal benefit.
And speaking earlier, Inkosi ya Makosi M’mbelwa V of Mzimba assured the President that the people from Northern Region will work closely with the DPP led government for the development of the country.
M’mbelwa V thanked the President for his government plans of constructing Mombera University in Mzimba which, he said, after completion will benefit many people not only from the North but the entire country.
During the function, Jappie Mhango, a Member of Parliament for Rumphi North, Christopher Munyenyembe of Mzimba East who both won on an independent ticket and former Secretary General of AFORD, Khwauli Msiska, announced that they have joined the ruling DPP.
