By Chifundo Nedi

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera’s Tonse administration has been given a week to address citizens concerns or face national wide demonstration and vigils.

The ultimatum comes after frustrated citizens under the banner Centre for Democracy and Economic Initiatives (CDEDI) on Friday, December 18, 2020 demonstrated against President Chakwera’s impunity and arrogance.

Among key issues Chakwera has failed to address including foreign nationals who are alleged of conducting small businesses instead of leaving them to locals, increase of fuel price, hotel gate scandal, and salary increment for Members of Parliament (MPs).

Addressing the press after presenting the petition to Lilongwe City Council Chief Executive Officer, John Chome, CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa warned that if Chakwera will not address the raised issue within seven days, the going is to call for national demonstration and vigils.

“President Lazarus Chakwera has decided to keep quite on State house Crossroads scandal, the other issue is that of the landless people in Mulanje and Thyolo whose lands were grabbed by white settlers and the fuel price increase.

“So we are reminding the President to tackle these issues. We have given him seven days to act on the issues otherwise will take another step of vigils and national wide demonstrations,” warned Namiwa

In his remarks after receiving the petition,Chome lauded demonstrators for peaceful protest.

He therefore assured them that the petition will be send Chakwera for concerns response.

Prior to June 23, polls Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and it’s parteners in the alliance promised part of Heaven in Hell for Malawians but nothing has been done since then.

One of the protesters Jacob Banda said Tonse alliance government has lost people’s trust because of it’s lies. He said time for leaders to take people for granted is over. He said as was the case during the previous regime Malawians will not keep quite when the government failing in its obligations.

While Ayami Nkhono Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) member said Malawians who protested against the former administration will keep their eyes open when government is failing in it’s duties.

He said the same measurement Chakwera and Chilima used against Mutharika would be used against the current administration.

While MCP member who opted for anonymity said the current government seems not concerned with the plight of Malawians.

He said if the government was serious it could not allow legislature to hike their allowances and salaries at the time most Malawians are facing chronic economic challenges.

“I am MCP, but before that I was Malawian, so I should not support the party at the time it is oppressing us,” he said.