Former United Democratic Front leader Atupele Muluzi, who recently hinted at returning to active politics, says the country requires right leadership with a solid and sound economic development plan to address various challenges that are hitting Malawians hard.

Muluzi, who was the presidential running mate for Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) torchbearer, Arthur Peter Mutharika during the court sanctioned June 2022 fresh Presidential polls, believes Malawi has the raw ingredients necessary to become a strong economy within the region and Africa, but the current administration is failing to come up with candid development plans that would address the most binding constraints first.

“I passionately believe that with the right leadership, a solid economic development plan and strategy that is inclusive and equal to all, Malawi will Rise.

“The next step forward will not be about an individual but finding solutions together on how we can transform our economy and eradicate poverty,” said Muluzi, who announced plans to rejoin politics three months after quitting the game.

He said in order to address the gaps, there is need to identify game changers which will accelerate the pace of economic growth and development.

Muluzi further observed that most the of the challenges rocking Malawians are “man-made” and President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera administration is not doing enough to reverse the situation.

“What has happened since 2020 is man-made. and the leadership should produce solutions to economic challenges that biting hard. We need realistic solutions and promises, otherwise things are getting worse,” said Muluzi.

Recently, Chakwera assured Malawians that his administration is doing everything possible to mitigate and bring sanity to the situation.

Chakwera attributed the current economic crisis to hefty loans left by the former ruling DPP, Covid-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war, which according to him, have fueled the cost of living within and beyond Malawi.

Meanwhile, former Reserve Bank of Malawi Governor, Dr Dalitso Kambabe observes that since 2020, “more and more Malawians are being relegated into the abyss of abject poverty.”

Writing on his official Facebook, Kabambe claimed that Malawi economy is crumbling with the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) falling with each, tanking to a paltry 0.9 percent as of this year.

“In 2019 it was at 5.5 percent. In 2021, it dipped to 1.2 percent. This year, it is such an uninspiring figure. This is against annual population growth rates of 3.0 percent. What does this mean? Our economy is failing to sustain the livelihoods of Malawians let alone providing for new entrants.

“Kids are being born into untold misery and suffering. This government is even robbing a decent standard of living from kids the moment they are born.

“I said this, and I would like to repeat approach elections as investment. The decision you make to support a candidate is you depositing, or stealing from, your own future and that of your loved ones.

“Support capability, commit to merit. You deserve an economy that guarantees your decency and humanity. You deserve an economy that can support your ventures. An economy that guarantees your children a solid future,” said Kambabe, who is also eyeing the country’s Presidency.