LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-One of the country’s civil society Center for Mindset Change (CMC) on Friday, called upon Malawians not to politicize the COVID-19 pandemic but rather working together.
The grouping is rather urging the citizens to unite in fighting the pandemic.
In a press statement issued signed by its Chairperson Philip Kamangirah says the battle against the pandemic is for everyone not only government.
Kamangirah observes, “We are very much worried that some people are claiming government is using the pandemic to disrupt the Electoral process.
“This is not just unfortunate, it is also uncivilized and typical demonstration of political hypocrisy”.
Below is the full CMC statement made available to The Maravi Post
COVID – 19 has spread around the planet, sending billions of people into lockdown as health services struggle to cope.
Since being first recorded late last year in China, the COVID-19 has spread around the world and been declared pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO).
It is heart breaking to note that since 31st December, 2019 and as of 16th April, 2020, (2,029,930) cases of COVID -19 (in accordance with the applied case definition and testing strategies in the affected countries) have been reported.
Let us be mindful that in Africa alone, 17, 243 cases have been reported and most countries with most reported cases are (South Africa, 2,605), (Egypt, 2,505), (Algeria, 2,160), (Morocco, 2, 024) and Cameroon with 855. We know the disease is spreading so quickly.
This is no longer a regional issue, it is a global problem that requires collaborated efforts. As we speak Malawi has recorded 16 cases on the same according to records from the Ministry of Health.
It is against this background that we, the Centre for Mindset Change wish to express our shock that some Malawians have chosen the path to politicize the pandemic.
We are very much worried that some people are claiming government is using the pandemic to disrupt the Electoral process.
This is not just unfortunate, it is also uncivilized and typical demonstration of political hypocrisy.
We find such allegations to be heartless, insensitive, reckless and inhuman.
To begin with, we haven’t heard anywhere that the current administration is planning to disrupt the fresh election scheduled for 2nd July, 2020 as directed by the Constitutional Court.
However, if indeed government finds it necessary to do so, it can only do on the interest of the people of Malawi.
The government of Malawi has the mandate to protect its citizens and if anything seems to pose any threat to such a protection, the onus is with the same government.
We would therefore wish to call upon all stakeholders to prioritize the welfare of Malawians amidst political instability and make sure we detach the politicization of COVID – 19.
The whole world is in intensive care unit and it is an iota of mediocrity and naked demonstration of leadership malnutrition if we become careless on the pandemic.
Let us all stand together in fighting the pandemic
Let us have one voice
Let us protect the people of Malawi
Let us adhere to all guidelines
Above all, let us keep on praying for Malawi to remain the Land of Peace.
God Bless You All
Signed:
PHILIP KAMANGIRAH CMC Chairperson