By Jones Gadama
President Lazarus Chakwera met with a group of women from Mzimba at the Mzuzu State Lodge, amidst ongoing demonstrations in the streets of Mzuzu.
The meeting, which was not publicly announced, has raised eyebrows among observers who question the timing and purpose of the gathering.
Since arriving in Mzuzu last week, President Chakwera has been criticized for not inspecting any development projects in the region.
Instead, he has been meeting with traditional leaders and supporters of the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
This has led to speculation that the President’s visit is more focused on consolidating his party’s support base rather than addressing the region’s development needs.
The demonstrations in Mzuzu, which have been ongoing for several days, are a testament to the growing discontent among locals who feel that the government has not done enough to address their concerns.
The meeting between President Chakwera and the Mzimba women, therefore, comes as a surprise to many who had expected the President to engage with the broader community rather than a select group of supporters.
It remains to be seen what the outcome of the meeting will be and how it will address the concerns of the people of Mzuzu.