Article By: Lloyd M’bwana

The mass joint rally opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) conducted together with People’s Party (PP) and Alliance for Democracy (Aford) at Kalambo Primary school, Area 25 in the capital Lilongwe on Sunday, February 28, has called for President Peter Mutharika to resign after 90 days if he fails to fix the ailing economy.

This continues the pattern of Peoples Party and Malawi Congress Party of making calls for the incumbent Peter Mutharika who they failed to beat at the polls to resign. Similar demands were given during Public Affairs Committee (PAC) Inclusive conference which was held on February 17 in the commercial city of Blantyre.

The calling for Mutharika to resign comes also barely a few days after youths in the northern city of Mzuzu on Monday, February 22 through mass demonstration petitioned President Peter Mutharika to fix the country’s economic woes within 21 days or he must resign from presidency to pave of for capable individuals to run the shows of the state.

Pressure is daily mounting on President Peter Mutharika to fix the social-economic ills currently Malawians encountering which include maize crisis, insufficient of medical and drugs in public hospitals, high inflation and falling of the Malawi Kwacha which has resulted into skyrocketing prices of goods and services.

The joint mass rally which drew MCP President Lazarus Chakwera, Kamlepo Kalua (PP’s Second Vice President), Enoch Chihana (Aford President), other officials and supporters from parties aimed at addressing the nation on the ailing economy and food crisis.

Chakwera told thousands of supporters that Malawi was in a mess due to lack of insightful leadership which could formulate practical policies that might invigorate economic growth.

MCP leader further reminded the gathering that he was not hungry for power but rather fighting the rights of the voiceless who need urgent attention. Chakwera wondered as to why the nation was in food crisis while all in all the country was blessed with fresh water bodies.

“This is not the time to practice chip politics but rather providing insightful direction for bailing out Malawians from social-economic turmoil. President is entrusted with power to govern this nation through provision of food, water, education, quality health services. So if a leadership fails to meet such demands then better give up.

“When we are demanding government responsibility over its people, it doesn’t necessarily mean we are hungry for power but reminding it the trust Malawians gave through elections. Malawi needs a leader who can distribute developments without considering regional and tribal lines.
We are having a leadership which put their person interests above people’s needs.

“We will keep on fighting for the common good of our people. People want food on their table, enough drags in public hospitals, good climate for business through sound economic policies. If these needs aren’t met then the fight rages on”, challenges Chakwera.

Taking his turn, Aford President Chihana minced no words by challenging the police to come and arrest him over the call for President Mutharika to resign saying he has betrayed Malawians’ trust.

“Pac gave him 30 days; youths in Mzuzu gave him 21 days while us we are demanding Mutharika’s resignation after 90 days if he fails to fix the ailing economy. We are tired of tolerating impunity in this country. This is a political fight which is embraced in multiparty
democracy.

The joint mass rally is a sign of solidarity the nation requires to move this nation forward. Quietness and docile won’t take Malawi anywhere. Therefore, I am challenging the police to arrest me for this call and stop arresting the young ones”, declares Chihana.

Echoing on the same, Kamlepo Kalua, PP’s Vice President said President Mutharika must hand over the leadership to his deputy Chilima saying if he fails to fix the ailing economy, the party will mobilize Malawians for mass protest.

“I was part of the generation which fought for multiparty democracy and I have been arrested for several times during Kamuzu, Bakili and Bingu. So, do you think I can be intimidated by these toddlers? It’s time to leave the stage. This is not a farm or plot where you can say NDILIPE PULOBULEMU (I don’t have a problem) while all in Malawians are suffering”, says Kamlepo.

This is the first joint mass rally major political parties in recent times held for one course. MCP old guards including the former Speaker of National Assembly Luis Chimango, Mama Cecelia Kadzamira graced the joint mass rally which supporters braced for heavy rainfall prior to the function.