By Burnett Munthali
In his closing remarks during the 5th Meeting of the 50th Session of Parliament, Hon. Dr. George Chaponda, Leader of the Opposition, extended his gratitude to the Speaker for the opportunity to address the esteemed house. He began by acknowledging and expressing thanks to Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, former President of the Republic of Malawi and current President of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Chaponda praised Mutharika as a "proven leader" and the DPP's torchbearer for the upcoming 2025 general elections, commending him for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the opposition's efforts in providing necessary checks and balances to the current government.
As the session closed on Friday, September 20, 2024, Dr. Chaponda took the opportunity to extend his thanks to the leaders of fellow opposition political parties, namely the United Democratic Front (UDF), the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), and the United Transformation Movement (UTM), along with independent members of Parliament. In particular, he made a special mention of the UTM members who had recently crossed over to the opposition bloc, welcoming them warmly. “You didn’t make any mistake and your addition to the bloc is a blessing to Malawians,” Chaponda remarked.
In a pointed message, Dr. Chaponda addressed those on the government benches who might be sympathetic to the opposition’s cause, encouraging them to join the opposition formally. “I know we also have members of opposition over that side but are afraid to join us this time around. I can only encourage you to make that decision because Malawians are watching,” he stated, calling for unity and strength among those who wish to hold the government accountable.
Dr. Chaponda’s remarks underscored his commitment to fostering a strong opposition bloc in Parliament, one capable of effectively representing the voice of the Malawian people as the country prepares for the 2025 elections. His closing address served as a rallying call for unity among opposition members and a reminder of their role in safeguarding the nation’s democratic processes.
