Lilongwe, June 26, 2015 (MaraviPost): Malawi President Professor Peter Mutharika has described political enmity and discrimination as vices which if resolved, could see Malawi development move gain positive strides.
President Mutharika was speaking at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe on Thursday evening on his return from Mozambique where he had gone to join the country in their 40th independence anniversary.
In his speech which he described as successful and important in cementing the two countries’ bilateral relations, Mutharika said he was specially inspired by the good working relationship between Mozambique’s former Presidents, Joachim Chissano and Armando Guebuza with the incumbent Filipe Nyusi.
Joyce Banda refused to hand over power formally to Peter Mutharika after she lost the elections. She has since refused to participate in any supportive role to the Peter Mutharika led government as customary of any defeated incumbent in a democracy.
Peter Mutharika and Joyce Banda have thrown insults at each other since the election. Peter Mutharika has publicly accused Joyce Banda of trying to kill him when he was arrested on treason charges fabricated by Joyce Banda. He has openly shown his bitterness. On the other hand globetrotting Joyce Banda after failing to annul the elections she lost, has accused Peter Mutharika If not directly of stealing the elections. An accusation many find implausible as she was the one who controlled all government resources.
However the feud between the two has not been good for Malawi. Peter Mutharika could have used the abundant international connections and goodwill Joyce Banda appears to have in Abundance.
Making matters worse Joyce Banda has basically mirroring Peter Mutharika’s Presidency at prestigious events. She showed up at the United Nations and attended many meetings without coordinating with the Peter Mutharika Government. Just recently she was in SA at the AU meeting receiving awards to the chagrin of Malawi President peter Mutharika.
“I was particularly impressed to see Chisano, Guebuza and Nyusi chatting and laughing, a clear example that it’s not necessary to have enmity and discrimination after hand over of political power,” said Mutharika who added; “This is one good example we need to learn from the Mozambicans.”
He explained that there was too much political hatred, enmity and discrimination in Malawi which needed to be ended if Malawi was to move forward and attain the development heights it desires.
“There is too much negativity and too much discrimination and we need to end all this if Malawi is to move forward,” further said Mutharika adding, “People can hand over power without hard feelings.”
On the two countries’ development ties, Malawi’s head of state disclosed that he had left behind (in Mozambique) Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Relations and Minister of Industry and Trade to sign Memorandum Of Understandings with Mozambique which would enhance mutual development benefit between the two countries.
Peter Mutharika shoulders some of the blame. He should openly extend a hand to Joyce Banda and invite her to participate without fear of arrest or harassment.
The President was welcomed by Vice President Saulos Chilima, senior Government officials and members of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
