By Ajong Mbapndah L
It is time for Malawians to get decisive leadership action and not continued excuses, says former President Peter Mutharika as he continues to offer hope and strike a shape contrast between him and incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera. With elections looming in the horizon, former President Mutharika and his successor President Chakwera are the leading candidates in what will be a rematch of the 2020 elections.
“Malawi is at a critical crossroads. Our nation’s challenges are immense, rooted in failed leadership and a lack of vision. Many of you are tired by empty promises and leadership that delivers no solutions. This cannot continue,’ President Mutharika recently told Malawians in a national address on the hunger crisis devastating the nation, the economic collapse tearing apart families, and the threats to democracy and freedoms.
Together, we can rebuild and reclaim the promise of our great nation with leadership you can trust, Prof Mutharika said after reassuring Malawians that he understood their acute pain, the burden of uncertainty they carry, and the hardships they have been left to endure without guidance or hope.
For President Mutharika and the Democratic Progressive Party-DPP that he leads, it is the inept leadership of President Chakwera that has taken the country to the brink and stopping Malawi from its current race to the bottom requires a decisive vote to remove the government that has betrayed the country.
“It is time to stand united, to speak with one voice, and to reclaim the promise of our great nation. Help is on the way. Freedom is within reach. But freedom will only come if we rise together, reject fear, and boldly make our voices heard at the ballot box. Let us not allow oppression to silence us. Let us vote decisively to remove this government that has betrayed the trust of Malawians,” Prof Mutharika said in his address.
Fielding questions from PAV, Prof Mutharika says he and his party are optimistic of victory because the current President has been a failure in terms of governance and has admitted so himself. Fixing the economy will be the priority, says Prof Mutharika.
“We need to deal with forex shortages, inflation and shortage of basic commodities such as fuel, fertilizer and food. I have set up a committee of seasoned economists who are preparing an economic recovery plan to be implemented on day one of my second administration,” Prof Mutharika told PAV.
How will you sum up Malawi today economically, socially and politically?
Economically, the economy has collapsed. The country has zero foreign reserves. Socially, our society is no longer cohesive. It is divided along regional lines. Politically, there is a serious threat to democracy as the government resorts to reckless political arrests.
May we know the essence of the address that you made to Malawians on January 13, what was its intent?
The essence of the address was to point out the dire economic and governance situation the country is facing and to encourage Malawians not to lose hope.
There have been a few dissents with some disenchanted members left, how prepared is your party for the upcoming Presidential elections?
Actually, no member left. We expelled ten members of the party for gross violation of the party constitution, indiscipline and disloyalty. We are very prepared for the upcoming Presidential, Parliamentary and Councilor elections. The unprecedented massive patronage of our rallies are a clear manifestation of the popularity that our party enjoys.
To the people of Malawi, you where there for a full term, what makes you think you are the one to get Malawi out of the current mess, and why should your compatriots trust you to deliver?
I believe we have the capacity to take the country out of the present mess. We did it in 2014 after the infamous “Cash gate”. We know the root causes of the problem. My compatriots are aware of our record. The massive support they are giving us is a clear indication that they have confidence in our capacity to deliver.
It will literally be a rematch of the last elections between you and current President Chakwera, besides the reversal of roles, what makes you optimistic of victory?
We are optimistic of victory because it’s clear beyond any doubt that the current president has failed to govern this country. He himself has admitted that.
If elected, what are some of the priority areas that will receive immediate attention from the second Mutharika administration?
Of course, the priority will be to fix the economy. We need to deal with forex shortages, inflation and shortage of basic commodities such as fuel, fertilizer and food. I have set up a committee of seasoned economists who are preparing an economic recovery plan to be implemented on day one of my second administration.
In your recent address, you urged Malawians to stand united, to speak with one voice, and to reclaim the promise of their great nation, how do you think a second Mutharika presidency impact this promise?
The second Mutharika Presidency will certainly build on what we did in the first Mutharika administration -massive infrastructure development, Youth empowerment through skills training, Women empowerment through cash transfers and subsidized access to decent housing to the elderly, disabled, orphaned families and people with albinism.
On the age card that the ruling party and some actors have tried to play, what how do you respond to that or reassure Malawians that there is nothing for them to worry about that ?
I am frankly now very tired of this age thing. Recently, I have addressed ten plus rallies in one day. The age thing is complete baloney. However, I have said many times that should I reach a point where I feel that I cannot manage to campaign, I will withdraw from the race. I have no intention of embarrassing myself or my family. No job on earth is worth that. Let me say this to those Malawians who are so obsessed with the age thing: If you don’t like APM because of his age, don’t vote for him!
How inspired are you with the return to power of President Mahama in Ghana and what is your take on the 2024 election cycle in Africa with shocking defeats from some incumbents and ruling parties ?
The return of president Mahama in Ghana and President Trump in the USA are quite inspirational. The defeats of some incumbents and ruling parties in Africa is a reflection of our mature democracy. Our people are now looking at issues not personalities and that is good for our continent.
You have accused the current administration of repression aimed at silencing the voices of Malawians. How confident are you in the Institutions of the country to deliver free and fair elections ?
I have reservations about the ability of the Malawi Electoral Commission and the National Registration Bureau to deliver free and fair elections because these two institutions are being manipulated by the Government. They are incompetent and they are biased towards the Government
If for some reason, Prof Mutharika is beaten fair and square in the elections will you accept the results ?
Yes
Any last word to the people of Malawi and Africa as we wrap up this interview ?
Africa is now at crossroads. The stakes are very high. In choosing leaders for our continent, our people must look at substance not trivialness.
*Culled from February Edition of PAV Magazine
