Emily Mkamanga

A failed government creates chaos

Honestly speaking, the current socio-economic problems in Malawi are an indication of a failed government. What follows this is all manner of chaotic situations ranging from declaration of a Thyolo/Mulanje Republic to ceaseless demonstrations against government.

It does not need a genius to know that for Malawi to develop there is need for continuous production of agricultural produce and mining, etc for export. Two of the main components of production are availability of electricity and water.  Unfortunately, these are the two things Malawi is severely lacking. Water might be available, but in the unavailable form because it needs to be lifted from where it is, such as Lake Malawi, to where it is required.

Lack of electricity has so far been exhaustively commented on. Indeed, there cannot be any meaningful production when people experience 20 hours of blackouts per day. President Peter Mutharika and his government know this very well.  While having no clue about solving the problem, sometimes the President puts the blame on past governments for failing to invest in improving power generation. He might be right, but the President was also part of the Bingu wa Mutharika government as a Cabinet minister. Therefore, he should have initiated the investment in power generation then. Undoubtedly, he might have already known at the time that he was the likely successor to his brother, Bingu.

At the moment, production in the country is dwindling and the government has run out of ideas and feels defeated. However, to cover themselves up the government has an irritating habit of repetitively talking about investors that it is engaging and yet there are no signs of operations on the ground. The government and its entire leadership should know better that its success cannot be measured by their mere intentions.

Needless to say that the danger of a failed government is that it creates chaos, which starts with the leadership lacking unity. There is no solidarity. The proof of this is in the recent revelation by President Mutharika about ‘Judas’ in his government, in addition to some people who pretend to serve him but are just fortune seekers. Obviously, such people being close to the President might have silently concluded that the government has failed and what remains is for them to try their luck. This is a shame. Mutharika does not need fair weather friends, but genuine supporters with meaningful ideas.

Take it or leave it, it is because of that state of affairs that invited people like Vincent Wandale to declare himself president of the so-called Thyolo/Mulanje Republic.  This is so embarrassing that such a challenge comes from Mutharika’s home area. In addition to this, people even talk about introducing federal system of government.  Both suggestions and many more out there are meant to rescue Malawians from the unprecedented suffering brought about by the Mutharika government.  Naturally, if the current administration was successful there would have been no need for these strange suggestions.

Usually, the government likes to cover up its failures by saying there is no money.  They parrot a statement without any remorse and yet they know people find it unacceptable.  This is because Malawians can see the opulence and luxury at State House and with all the government elite. In addition, corruption in high offices is institutionalised. Unfortunately, this seems to be a no-go area for justice.  Surprisingly, government leaders think that they can stop the plunder of the country by simply talking about it on the political platform. As long as government continues to fail, chaos in the country continues too.

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