DPP decries economic mess

The former governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has accused the Tonse Alliance government for messing up the country’s economy in 2023 which worsened the suffering of Malawians.

The party said this in its New Year statement signed by DPP’s presidential and party spokesperson Shadric Namalomba released late on Sunday.

The party maintains that economic mismanagement under the Malawi Congress Party (MCP)-led administration has culminated in losses for business and the closure of small and medium enterprises, which have been subjected to harsh economic times.

This, the DPP said, is as a result of the 44 percent devaluation of the kwacha, foreign exchange scarcity and other bad economic policies that forced in business players to scale down production.

Reads the statement in part: “While it is to be at the heart of each and every political regime to lead an economic transformation and renaissance that uplifts its people from the jaws of poverty into economic stardom, the MCP government does not seem to care.

“If these economic problems were happening under the DPP, what would President Lazarus Chakwera have said?”

While admitting the prevalence of global economic challenges that have spared no country, the DPP argues that Malawi has suffered more than its neighbouring countries.

The DPP has particularly criticised what it describes as a bad environment for trade and investment which has fallen short of attracting foreign investors, adding that Malawi is one of the most expensive countries to fly into.

“It is unthinkable that we can compete with our neighbours in attracting investors. A sector which was vibrant is slowly going on its deathbed. Paradoxically, we expect to be a leading tourist destination,” further reads the statement.

But Minister of Information and Digitisation Moses Kunkuyu defended the Tonse Alliance’s three years in power, stating that it has done much to improve the citizenry’s well-being.

He said: “The year 2023 has ended on a promising note after going through a painful process that was necessary if we were to take a positive turn in our quest for speedy economic recovery.

“The nation experienced the most devastating natural calamities ever but we have come out strong and 2024 looks promising. That tragedy partly derailed the government’s economic recovery efforts with serious damages on infrastructure including roads and bridges.”

The DPP follows  condemnation by the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) which faulted the party for its failure to provide checks and balances on the Tonse Alliance government in 2023.

In their end-of-year statement on Sunday, HRDC said internal conflicts within the DPP have diverted leaders’ focus from overseeing government actions.