BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-In a surprising turn of events, President Lazarus Chakwera was on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 installed as the chancellor of the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), despite his earlier commitment to end the tradition of presidents holding chancellorships at public universities.
Chakwera’s assumption of chancellorship role marks yet another instance of his administration deviating from its campaign pledges.
During his rise to power prior to becoming the president of Malawi, Chakwera was vocal about his intention to separate the presidency from the chancellorship of public universities, a move aimed at promoting academic independence and reducing political influence in higher education.
However, Tuesday’s ceremony at MUBAS suggests a different trajectory for his presidency. A smiling Chakwera donned the Chancellor clothes with no reminisce of his promise.
This is not the first promise that Chakwera has walked back on.
Throughout his tenure, he has displayed a pattern of retreating from his initial commitments, raising questions about his adherence to campaign principles.
As critics and supporters ponder the implications of this latest development, the spotlight remains firmly on President Chakwera who is potentially geared to compete for the second term of his presidency in next year’s presidential elections.
The installation ceremony took place in Blantyre where MUBAS was holding it’s first graduation ceremony since it became a stand alone public university.
The ceremony was being attended by various dignitaries and university officials.
Meanwhile, country’s civil rights group Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has questioned Chakwera’s decision to assume MUBAS’ chancellor.
CDEDI told the news conference in the capital Lilongwe on Thursday, May 30, 2024 that Chakwera acceptance of MUBAS’ chancellorship contradicts his promises made prior to 2020 Presidential elections that he would not be chancellor of any public institutions.
CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa hinted that his grouping will keep on reminding Chakwera promises made ahead of 2025 elections as he seeks second mandate.
Namiwa hinted that Chakwera must be accountable for failed promises before seeking second mandate in 2025.