Synod’s Chakwera endorsement stirs debate

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ivingstonia Synod of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) has drawn mixed reactions for describing President Lazarus Chakwera as “the right person” to lift the country out of the present socio-economic problems.

Speaking at St. Andrew’s CCAP in Mzuzu on Sunday when the President attended a church service, the synod’s general secretary the Reverend William Tembo assured him of their support.

He said: “Your Excellency, sir, everyone who is right here in Malawi should be able to know that you have a very difficult moment and that you have been in office for only two years.

“We believe in miracles, but I think we need to give you time Your Excellency.

“You are changing the game in the name of Jesus. We believe that no matter how dark it is, but one day the sun will rise.”

Tembo, however, elaborated that the kind of support the church will render to the government is to ensure that the country fulfils its long-term development strategy, the Malawi 2063.

In an interview yesterday, political scientist Nandin Patel said without a fair assessment of the governance issues in the country, the speech comes out as campaign for the alliance parties and Chakwera as a person.

She said: “This is not the right approach for religious bodies. The speech is not coming out strong on the grim challenges confronting the nation and it is not highlighting the government’s inadequacies in addressing them.”

But governance and political commentator Makhumbo Munthali said there is nothing wrong with the church indicating that they would work with the government.

However, he was quick to say that it becomes problematic where working with government is interpreted to pursue “narrow, partisan and selfish interests”.

Livingstonia Synod has often courted controversy over its perceived radical stand on issues in recent years.