Fresh calls for Chakwera to trim powers

Centre for Democracy and Development Initiatives (Cdedi) executive director Sylvester Namiwa has asked President Lazarus Chakwera to trim presidential powers as promised during the campaign period.

The call is contained in a letter Cdedi has written to Chakwera stating that two years was enough for him to work on trimming his presidential powers.

Reads part of the letter: “The only option the Tonse Alliance government has to win back the trust of the people is by swiftly going back to the key promises made to the people of Malawi, and honouring them.”

The letter further states that if Chakwera works on trimming his presidential powers, Malawians will have the perception that he is committed to live by his campaign promises and that he is clean from any alleged corruption.

Cdedi further asked the President to ensure amendment of Section 91 of the Constitution and has since given him 14 days to engage the Malawi Law Commission through the Attorney General’s office to start the process.

Presidential press secretary Anthony Kasunda yesterday told journalists the President was prioritising review of other laws (see the lead story). 

Governance commentator Makhumbo Munthali in on record as having stated that ceremonial and administrative reduction of powers may be part of the process, but general calls for reduction of presidential powers lean more on substantive powers.

He said trimming presidential powers, both ceremonial and substantive, requires legislative and constitutional amendments such that it is an issue that requires the Executive, Legislature and the general public including the civil society to work together.