Yesterday marked two years since President Lazarus Chakwera was sworn in, becoming Africa’s first opposition leader to defeat a sitting president in a court-ordered presidential election.
Our News Analyst JOHN CHIRWA asks governance analyst Martin Chiphwanya, about the highs and lows of Chakwera’s tenure. Excerpts:
Q
: How do you assess the President’s two-year term?
A
: It’s a mixed bag. There are certain things the President has done well and others he could have done better.
Q
:Would you please isolate some of his biggest achievements so far?
A
: Chakwera’s presidency should be commended for its accessibility. He has set a new tone for accountability at the highest level by going to Parliament to answer questions from parliamentarians. Again, the State House press briefings have been a perfect avenue for the media to engage with the presidency on matters of national interests.
The Minister of Information and other government officials have engaged the media and the public on key national issues through periodic briefings. This entrenches a culture of accountability.
In terms of women empowerment, the President has done fairly well. Credible and highly qualified women have been appointed to lead some key institutions such as the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Malawi Human Rights Commission and Financial Intelligence Bureau. The new Secretary to the President and Cabinet is also a woman.
Chakwera has shown greater commitment towards women empowerment
Q: What needs to improve to create a better Malawi for everyone?
A
: Chakwera’s indecisiveness on highly important matters of national interest has been the major undoing of his presidency.
Again, corrupt acts and suspected corrupt elements involving top government officials, including some of his aides and advisers, have left a big dent on his presidency.
Furthermore, the civic space under his leadership has shrunk enormously. Under his administration, some organised alternative voices have been disabled through the capture of some civil society leaders.
There have also been visible elements of nepotism within the two years that he has been President.
Q: The Tonse Alliance made numerous promises that have not been fulfilled two years on. Do you trust that things will get better?
A
:Not all is completely lost, but it would be difficult for the Tonse Alliance to fulfil its campaign promises at the pace. There is an unclear path in terms of how certain campaign promises will be fulfilled.
Q
: What needs to change for the President to stay the course?
A
: There is a need to start walking the talk and addressing some well-known problems such as corruption and nepotism. While some action has been taken on some corrupt officials, more needs to be done. Chakwera’s administration needs a proper policy direction to fulfil its key campaign promises such as job creation. Some discontent and political bickering among Tonse allies at various levels should be properly managed not to derail the fulfilment of campaign promises. n
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