Minister of Information and Digitisation Moses Kunkuyu has described as “misleading and a clear provocation” assertions by Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) assertions that President Lazarus Chakwera risks impeachment due to the myriad economic shocks in the country.
The minister, who is the official government spokesperson, was reacting to a front page story published by our sister newspaper Weekend Nation on November 2 2024 quoting the United Kingdom-based think tank’s political and economic outlook which forecasts the high living costs. The report said fuel scarcity and food shortages which have left 22 percent of the population in need of food aid could stoke public protests.
But in his reaction yesterday, Kunkuyu said the prevailing challenges were not new and that the governing Tonse Alliance administration is putting in place measures to build a resilient economy.
In the report, dated September 1 2024 but released on October 14 2024, the EIU sees an intensified prospect of the country holding early elections before the scheduled September 16 2025 General Elections due to the country’s economic challenges.
But Kunkuyu said where there are projects in the pipeline that can turn around the economy and ease people’s suffering, such forecasts are misplaced and a clear incitement.
He said: “These acts do not occur when people are able to freely and soberly analyse the situation. Where people are appreciating where we are coming from, the efforts being made by government and where we are, the President cannot be impeached. Public protests if any, will be held taking the civil course as a constitutional right not a tool for driving political agendas and any call for early elections will definitely have no basis.”
The minister said Malawians know where the country is coming from and that it is not yet where the government would have loved it to be.
Kunkuyu said a successful tobacco marketing season, promotion of teachers after decades, police officers occupying beautiful houses and 97 percent of needy students accessing student loans were some of the success stories.
He said: “If civil servants can be on medical insurance, they have what it takes to engage their government peacefully when there are problems other than opting for protests.
“If people have seen the beautiful roads being built in the country in the past year, why should they plan protects instead of waiting patiently for more roads.”
On whether the Tonse administration still feels it has the mandate to efficiently govern following the withdrawal of five partners, Kunkuyu said government is an established set up with different layers attending to various functions.
He said: “That establishment has no regard for how many political parties are in the agreement to form government on behalf of Malawians and anyone who opts out does not in any way degrade the institution of government but rather express their dereliction of public duty and trust.”
Kunkuyu said research such as the one done by EIU is a process of seeking out answers to a specific problem and is conducted for several purposes depending on a situation.
According to the EIU, the intensified prospect of the country holding early elections before September 2025 is due to the recent pulling out of the UTM Party from the coalition which also has created parliamentary shiver and made “policymaking very challenging.”
In the 17-page report, the EIU observes that given the low public support for Chakwera due to poor governance and the enduring economic crisis, the country will remain politically unstable during the period 2024 and 2025.
But political and governance expert George Chaima agreed with Kunkuyu that while Chakwera may be struggling to govern the country, suggestions for impeachment and early elections are mere power play.
Another social and political commentator Humphreys Mvula said while it was correct that the socioeconomic outlook has been relatively poor there are no signs or symptoms of either an impending political revolt or political machinations that would culminate into an impeachment of Chakwera or result in an early election before September 2025.
The minister of information kunkuyu akudya mapwefupwefu, he can’t see that many Malawians are suffering. He’s talking about roads ndi misonkho ya Amalawi… next year They’ll see like what has happened in in America.