President Chakwera taking Malawi to ‘war-torn Baghdad’ not “Canaan”

Former pastor and devout evangelist President Lazarus Chakwera who clocks one year in office in two weeks is said to have lost steam and is now taking Malawi to war-torn Baghdad than Canaan following a series of u-turns and misjudgements which are damaging his standing with the public.

Africa Confidential, an influential fortnightly newsletter in its Volume 62 No 11 reported that Malawians “say that he (Chakwera) only has led the country to war-torn Baghdad” having promised to lead them to Canaan during the heated campaign to wrestle power from Peter Mutharika and DPP.

Chakwera campaign promises

Following a drop in its exports as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, Malawi’s economy is sinking beneath soaring fuel and basic commodities prices, and rising unemployment. Crime too is getting rampant.

“The government is vulnerable to accusations of corruption—the very thing the Chakwera’s Malawi Congress Party (MCP) promised to root out in its coalition with Vice-President Saulos Chilima’s United Transformation Movement (UTM).”

Chakwera has been accused of promoting nepotistic and tribalistic ways of roping people from his Lilongwe district and Chewa tribe as a qualification into public offices—a repetition of the DPP’s behaviour that had most people in government appointments coming from the Lhomwe belt, President Mutharika tribe.

Chilima making his UTM promises: 1 million jobs, free water & electricity connections, Kudya katatu, cheap passports & driving licenses etc

“Hopes for a clean slate after the Mutharika years rose last year when Chakwera promised a review of cabinet promises within five months, having been attacked for appointing husband-and-wife teams and brothers and sisters to office, and other favouritism towards people from his Lilongwe home district,” it said.

But there has been no reshuffle to-date despite Brian Banda, presidential spokesperson, announcing on March 26 that a new cabinet would be announced within 48 hours, which was later withdrawn on April 11.

According to the report, such incidents fuel the impression that the President is indecisive.

MCP vs UTM war

However, Nyasa Times understands, that much as President Chakwera’s MCP wants to kick out some of UTM’s topnotch including energy minister, Newton Kambala, a prominent businessman in the construction industry, fears are still high within the alliance if they lose equally powerful Chilima who aided their ascendancy to the presidency.

It adds: “To be arguing over appointments to top jobs this long after the election is not a good look for either coalition partner, each of which accuses the other of hogging the best jobs. Much sought-after diplomatic appointments are being held up, and leaked documents indicate that most of the plum jobs are going to MCP allies.”

Socio-political commentator, Jackson Msiska, said in an interview on Tuesday that Chakwera and his Tonse Alliance cronies have left Malawians in unprecedented disillusionment.

According to Msiska, Chakwera has an enormous task to regain public trust.

“The thing is that there is really no second chance in making first impression. Chakwera had his first chance but it has been visibly spoiled, and now people are now beginning to see no difference with the ousted DPP and its leader Peter Mutharika,” he said.

The 2021 -2022 national budget has addressed some of the campaign promises made by UTM like the duty-free week, the free and water electricity connections.

UTM’s flagship promise of creating 1 million jobs in year one is yet to be quantified since the economic conditions seem to point to more jobs being lost each week.

No date has been set for the reduction of passport and driving license fees contained in the UTM manifesto.

Chakwera is said to have described some of the UTM promises as unworkable needing review.

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Jack austin
Jack austin
2 years ago

Every day, literally everyday prices increasing…. think about us who are living middle class and low class lives…..wake up guys tonse alliance has failed and we are paying the price bcos we voted for them! Harsh, but reality.

Zoona zenizeni
Zoona zenizeni
2 years ago

Chakwera will not do anything he is virtually under capture

Nabetha
Nabetha
2 years ago

Please give Tonse some time to display their skill and know how, stop pressuring them in the middle of Covid crisis. You know the depth of dysfunction left by the bad people DPP! If they can dare sweep the rubble at once the system will go in shock mode, the offices may need to be closed temporarily 😫😫. Simply calm down and wait Ooh 🙆‍♂️🙆‍♂️🙆‍♂️🙆‍♂️🙆‍♂️

SES
SES
2 years ago

Yes challenges have been noted for this tonse government since ascending to power but can be corrected if not ignored. My suggestion is all politicians in the current government be reminded that you have been voted to serve the voters and not your pockets and family.

Chathengo
Chathengo
2 years ago

The article is focusing on UTM manifesto, why not focusing on Tonse Alliance manifesto? Was UTM on ballot paper?

Wakwiya ndi kadeti
2 years ago

Malawians are simply confused people and do not really know what they want. We talk about things without producing facts. There is now talk of “pa ground sipali bwino”. Kuzolowera receiving hand out and kuba. Pitani mukagwire ntchito. Ndalama has no legs. Not all of us can have jobs. The Burundis came to Malawi as refugees and they are now doing fine and ife manja lendeeee kufuna za ulele. The Nigerians came with vehicle spare parts business and they are doing fine. Do you think the president can simply take out money and give it to everyone? When talking give… Read more »

Joloza Kapokola
Joloza Kapokola
2 years ago

Where is the capital for Malawians. Mesa you promised to give people loans. Where are these loans? Ukunamatu

no name
no name
2 years ago

things fall apart

Maimane
Maimane
2 years ago

Cost of living now had become unbearable

Chkoti
Chkoti
2 years ago

Any hope in sight for a better Malawi within the next 5 years?

John Maduka
2 years ago
Reply to  Chkoti

We need a dictator.

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