Malawi President Chakwera confesses abandoning Tonse’ campaign promises

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera has confessed abandoning his Tonse campaign promises, saying the pledges were made in conditions that no longer hold.

Chakwera made the admission in his national address on Sunday, January 17, 2021 amid Covid-19 cases and death escalation in the new year.

The Malawi leader who is also Malawi Congress Party (MCP) President claimed that the scale of the Covid-19 demands a change of priorities.

“This is important to say because there are some who are still obsessed with politics, some who are still obsessed with cabinet appointments and reshuffles, and some who are still obsessed with campaign promises that were made on assumptions and in conditions that no longer hold.

“When a ship is at sea and it comes across unexpected rapids and is hit by an expected storm, only a foolish captain would insist on maintaining the same course,” admits Chakwera.

In the run up to the June 23 Fresh Presidential Elections, Chakwera promised removal of water and electricity connection fees, reduction in passport fees to MK14,000, loans for youth and women and construction of secondary schools as well as other infrastructure projects.

But in last six months has failed to meet campaign promises.

After he appointed his cabinet last year, Chakwera promised to reshuffle the cabinet in January this year saying the one he has now is a transitional cabinet. But nothing of that sort has been done.

Meanwhile, Malawians have accused Chakwera of using the pandemic as an excuse for his failure to implement what he promised.

“Many failed states across the world have used the pandemic as an excuse to inflict restrictions on democracy and curtail calls for accountability and transparency. If Malawians wanted a danger-warning sign, Chakwera just flagged one today when he veered off his Covid-19 address to attack his critics, especially those he perceives to be obsessed with promises he is trying too hard not to keep on the pretext of the pandemic which was already raging when he made them.

No Mr President, a promise is a credit. The making of a dictator could be well underway,” said Journalist James Chavula in a Facebook post.

The nation is yet to believe on Chakwera’s Tonse promises amid Covid-19 strike which has claimed potential citizens.

Maravi Post Reporter

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