By Burnett Munthali
One of The Maravi Post’s contributors Burnett Munthali unpacked on how President Lazarus Chakwera and his Tonse government is losing political and public trust just a year and some months in power.
Lazarus Chakwera In Opposition
When President Lazarus Chakwera Chakwera was in opposition, he opposed each and every speech made by the President Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) whenever he opened Parliament session. At one point, some journalists began to question his stance and were looking for clarification. Chakwera and his Malawi Congress Party (MCP) did not respond as if he never saw it in the daily newspapers. He then changed his approach and tone the following year after he had been faulted.
Some of the points Chakwera raised quite often when he was in opposition include:
(1) Corruption
(2) Nepotism
(3) Failed government
(4) Lack of direction of President Mutharika.
Importance Of Political Trust
I quote, “Political trust, generally defined as confidence in political institutions, is an important indicator of political legitimacy—the belief in the righteousness of these political institutions and the regime of which they are a part” end of quote. MCP has lost that political trust right at the beginning of their first one year and six months.
Political trust is paramount for any political party to survive but as events unfold, MCP is losing that political trust from its very staunch supporters.
Campaign
During the campaign period in 2019 and 2020 after winning the court case, millions of Malawians listened to the campaign promises made by Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, with keen interest, as the likely next President to take over from Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika.
He was at the centre of attraction for attacking and demonizing the Democratic Progressive Party- DPP in the manner he did and whatever he said was the golden truth because remember, he had just won the election case in court. He appeared like Chilungamo Movement .
Swearing In Ceremony
The swearing in ceremony of Dr. Lazarus Chakwera and his Vice Dr. Saulos Chilima was the climax of all events in the history of Malawi. The atmosphere of excitement could be read and felt in the capital city of Lilongwe as the supporters, particularly MCP and UTM supporters, were seen dressed up in their party regalia expressing their excitement for the victory on top of their voices.
Everyone who attended the function at Bingu International Conference Centre – BICC including Chakwera and Chilima, wore faces of great excitement. The excitement was visibly clear on television as a huge crowd gathered at the venue. The handshake between Chakwera and Chilima also openly suggested two happy comrades after the battle. It was indeed their moment and nobody could stop them. When Dr. Lazarus Chakwera took oath, ” I Dr. Lazarus Mac Cathy Chakwera, do hereby swear that….” And the crowd went wild in a way of victory, excitement, anxiety or disbelief. The Tonse alliance had indeed defeated the mighty DPP.
Cabinet
Everyone was now anxiously waiting to hear the first Tonse cabinet. Suggestions about this or that politician might be taken into the first cabinet were all over as Malawians kept on guessing. People made many different predictions and the social media released their own cabinet claiming the cabinet list had leaked to them.
When Chakwera finally made the first appointment of his cabinet, comments of surprise, shock, doubt and disappointment started pouring in. Malawians had never seen a cabinet of close relations being appointed at once as it happened. The President through his spokesperson defended the appointments as appropriate. However, the cabinet started working despite the voices of criticism that were raised.
Functioning
Malawians expected the new government to start functioning in a very different way and creative manner aimed at developing the nation as they had made most Malawians believe they were the best team on this planet earth.
Looking Ahead
Political trust, or should we say confidence in the Malawi Congress Party led government has swiftly vanished and disaster is waiting ahead of 2025 election. MCP, is no longer a reformed political party as people were made to believe. They won the 2020 fresh election because the electorates believed that they were the right choice out of other political parties to lead this nation once again after twenty six years on the bench (in opposition.) MCP won the election mainly because of partnering with United Transformation Movement – UTM. By the position of the parties in 2019 Presidential election, it was clear and expected that Tonse would win because DPP was at first position, MCP second and UTM third each with a million vote plus.
Twenty six (26) years is such a long period of time waiting to rule again but this government has started ruling with careless mess. Many people of the MCP who are strong followers of Chakwera are disappointed with the way the affairs of government are being run, even at party level, they have hinted. They complain of economic challenges, corruption, leadership challenges in the cabinet and at party level and nothing taking place on the ground as promised during campaign.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are those of the author not necessarily of The Maravi Post or Editor