Tag Archives: Bagamoyo

Opinion, Politics

Destined for Canaan but arrived at Bagamoyo, what went wrong with Chakwera’s administration?

Rick Dzida

The recent pastoral letter from Malawian Catholic bishops has sparked controversial debates on various social media platforms.

Some people have come in the open to pat the bishops for condemning the current regime over rampant corruption, nepotism, delayed justice, incompetent leadership, and mismanagement of the country’s economy.

This was contrary to what President Chakwera promised Malawians that he would take them to the biblical promised land Canaan where honey and milk would be flowing like water.

Four years after Chakwera’s regime, most Malawians have realized that life has worsened than in the previous governments.

The plausible question that is relevant at this juncture is, what went wrong that the Chakwera regime should abandon its promises?

Firstly, President Chakwera has proved to be an incompetent, clueless, and inexperienced leader. His appointments are mostly based on appeasement policy and are politically motivated.

The resultant effect of such an approach is that the mediocre take crucial public positions. As a consequence, the efficiency and effectiveness of public service delivery is highly compromised.

Secondly, President Chakwera as the leader of the Tonse Alliance failed to harmonise divergent political ideologies from various political parties.

The truth of the matter is that if President Chakwera was open enough, he could have taken advantage of various views within the alliance, especially from experienced political parties leaders such as former President Joyce Banda, Vice President Saulos Chilima, Prof. John Chisi, Kamuzu Chibambo and many others.

Thirdly, before fresh presidential elections, the Tonse Alliance chose to overpromise Malawians on what they knew was unattainable.

Perhaps we cannot blame President Chakwera for it being a concerted or dramatized effort to lie to innocent Malawians. However, President Chakwera is partly to blame for leading an alliance of scammers.

Fourthly, Chakwera’s administration is full of hypocrisy and lies. It is pathetic that Reverend Chakwera is not ashamed of himself for lying to the nation.

For instance, President Chakwera lied to Malawians that he would stamp out corruption. However, once in power, President Chakwera was at the forefront of promoting corruption by pardoning corruption convicts such as Chenji Golo Uladi Mussa.

We are trying to analyze the current situation and why President Chakwera has failed to lead Malawi to the promised land. The fifth reason is that like Jonah in the bible, Reverend Chakwera abandoned unashamedly his Christian values in exchange for political and dubious ambitions.

In a country where over 90% of the population is religious, President Chakwera was voted into power with the hope that a Christian president would serve Malawians with the utmost impartiality and integrity.

Unfortunately, President Chakwera has proven to Malawians that his pastorhood was not a genuine call but just like any other employment that is undertaken to earn a living.

How can a genuine pastor lie to Malawians that he would stamp out corruption and nepotism while he knew that he would be at the forefront promoting the very same vices?

What sort of a man of God blows millions of Kwachas globetrotting when his fellow Malawians are grappling with abject poverty and hunger amid economic woes?

Sixthly, President Chakwera failed to appreciate the role of the state President in the country. It was regrettable to hear the whole president Chakwera likening the role of the President to that of a traffic officer and not to the role of a driver of a vehicle.

How did Chakwera expect stamping corruption when he was not on the lead to hold ACB accountable for its mission of cracking down on corruption?

Did President Chakwera expect that the business-as-usual tendency rooted in government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) would bring the anticipated change by a miracle without presidential visionary leadership?

Seventhly, President Chakwera and the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) abandoned the Hi 5 slogan that could have acted as a framework to guide the current regime.

Contrary to the Hi 5 MCP strategy, most Malawians are not prospering together. Corruption is high. Selective and delayed justice has become the order of the day.

Malawians are not united as there are more divisions across tribal and regional lines. It remains a paradox why Reverend Chakwera has failed to exude servant leadership as anticipated of the man of God.

Eighthly, by abandoning the vision of clearing the rubbles in the government machinery, it is pathetic that the Tonse Alliance under the tutelage of President Chakwera has become the beneficiary of the inherited porous government systems.

It is against this background that no one is surprised to see the senior government officials being embroiled in corruption and bribery charges.

Ninthly, the Tonse government cheats Malawians that it is following economic austerity measures when in fact they are looting government coffers behind the scenes like nobody’s business.

It is pathetic that the Tonse government is so quick at borrowing money which it carelessly squanders within a short period. It is therefore not a surprise that both Malawi’s domestic and foreign debts have trebled.

Last but not least, one of the reasons why Malawi has arrived at Bagamoyo instead of reaching the anticipated destination, Canaan is because the Tonse government has focused on politics rather than on fulfilling its campaign promises.

In an attempt to stay in power forever, the Tonse Government has captured and taken control of all public sectors including the Judiciary, National Assembly, Malawi Electoral Commission (ME and the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).

In conclusion, the Tonse Alliance administration has all the chances to steer the ship from Bagamoyo to Canaan if it expeditiously addresses the aforementioned concerns. Otherwise, it will be uphill for the Tonse Alliance Government to win the 2025 presidential elections.

Malawi, Politics

“Lazarus Chakwera does not listen to advices”-Malawi Catholic Church Bishops

Maravi Post Author

…corrupt, empty speeches, promises

…not Canan but slave market Bagamoyo

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-It does not rain for President Lazarus Chakwera, but it pours as the influential Catholic Bishops have declared that he cannot listen to any advice; hence, talking to him is “fruitless.” They say Malawi is now a sad story.

The hard-hitting pastoral letter declares that President Chakwera has failed Malawians and failed to change as many hoped.

The country has been taken to an ancient slave trade market, “Bagamoyo”, in Tanzania, instead of the promised Canaan.

Our leaders need to stop being greedy and serve the people that put them into power,” say the 10 Bishops representing all the Roman Catholic Church diocese in Malawi

“We cannot continue this way as a nation. Our leaders need to stop being greedy and serve the people that put them into power,” say the 10 Bishops representing all the Roman Catholic Church diocese in Malawi. The Catholic Church is the largest church by membership in the country.

The Bishops Lantern Letter, read in all Catholic Church, agrees with The Investigator Magazine’s assessment of President Chakwera and his Malawi Congress Party reign, saying Malawians now realise the promises that were made in 2020 during the campaign were merely rhetoric.

“We have privately engaged the State President several times. Still, we fail to see any positive change in the general governance of our dear Malawi or any improvement in the plight of our poor brothers and sisters across the country,” The Bishops condemn Chakwera’s inability to listen.

They said they warned the government that poor leadership would cost Malawi a lot and that instead, the president and his fellow politicians have become “salesmen” who are always selling new promises without fulfilling the old ones.

Empty speeches from Chakwera

The Bishops condemn excess travelling by the Government, draining public funds in allowances and payments to suppliers whose cases are under investigation or in courts at the time Malawians are facing foreign exchange shortages.

They told the Catholic faithful that President Chakwera’s advisors at State House are linked to some of the dubious deals, and rent-seeking from suppliers is part of the current administration’s core work, including the issuance of sovereign guarantees to dubious suppliers.

“We have seen a journalist go into hiding for merely telling the nation the truth about the military’s transactions with an individual who is under investigation for corruption. Is it an attempt at taking us back to the one-party style of dictatorship,” asks the bishops.

Gregory Gondwe is in hidding after exposing the government of Malawis shady deals

The letters point out nepotism under the President as he appears to favour one tribe or region, hiding civil service reform reports and devaluation, and that the Tonse Alliance seems not to care at all about any of the promises made to the people.

“The suffering in the villages has worsened. Some families face starvation, as they could not afford fertiliser that was on the market and further problems due to erratic rains. Parents/guardians cannot afford school/college fees,” states the letter.

Corruption is everywhere, including Judiciary.

Corruption is still rampant, declares the Bishops, indirectly telling the President what The Investigator Magazine told him- he is a champion of corruption.

“From the top down, people with high connections are unjustly turning into multimillionaires overnight to the detriment of the majority of people who are being kept in grinding poverty. Sadly, corruption has seeped into all areas of life in Malawi,” commiserates the Catholic leaders.

They say under President Chakwera, there has been a systematic dismantling of accountability institutions, which have now been rendered useless.

They take years to hear a case, yet the Judiciary does nothing to discipline them

“The fight against corruption has been allowed to collapse. Shame on those who have allowed this to happen! What remains is the game of make-believe, the mere appearance of fighting corruption. People are not fooled by this,” The Bishops lament.

On Malawi’s Judiciary, the Bishops say it has “abandoned its integrity” and has now embroiled itself in corruption and partisanship.

“The Price of judges and magistrates is no longer a taboo; it is an open secret that some lawyers thrive by bribing judges and magistrates to defeat the ends of justice. Some judges and magistrates are accountable to no one. They take years to hear a case, yet the Judiciary does nothing to discipline them,” charge the men of the collar.

Get involved in 2025; Bishops tell faithful.

The Bishops warn against any move to change the 50 +1 electoral system for the President, saying it is the same as attempts in 2002 to change the constitution to enable a third term for the President. This signals that the Church would take the same position as it did during the third-term debate.

The Bishops ask Malawians to be involved in elections, saying everyone should take part to elect a proper government.

The bishops have urged Malawians to take part in the forthcoming General elections

“Politicians can use the media, money, power and government/party machinery in devious ways to secure votes,” warn the Bishops.

Source: The Investigator Magazine

Opinion, Politics

The need for Chakwera’s “Bagamoyo” leadership listening to Catholic Bishops’ critique

Maravi Post Reporter

By Twink Jones Gadama

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The role of the Catholic Bishops in Malawi in critiquing the government, particularly President Chakwera, through pastoral letters is significant in the country’s political landscape.

With the upcoming elections and less than a year remaining before Malawians head to the polls, the question of whether the bishops should continue to write these letters to the current president becomes pertinent.

In this essay, we will explore the importance of the Catholic Bishops’ role in holding the government accountable, the impact of their critiques on President Chakwera’s administration, and the implications of continuing to release pastoral letters in the lead-up to the elections.

First and foremost, it is essential to recognize the importance of the separation of powers in a democratic society.

The government, as the executive branch, is tasked with making decisions and implementing policies for the benefit of the country.

However, it is equally important for civil society, including religious institutions like the Catholic Church, to act as a check on the government and hold them accountable for their actions.

The Catholic Bishops in Malawi have a duty to speak out on issues that affect the well-being of their congregants and the wider society.

By releasing pastoral letters that critique the government, they are fulfilling their role as moral leaders and advocates for social justice.

Furthermore, the critiques raised by the Catholic Bishops in their pastoral letters can have a significant impact on public opinion and government policy.

The bishops’ statements carry weight and authority, and their criticisms are taken seriously by both the government and the general public.

By highlighting issues such as poor economic policies, corruption, and human rights abuses, the bishops are drawing attention to areas that need improvement and pushing for positive change.

Bishops influence can shape public discourse and put pressure on the government to address these issues.

In the case of President Chakwera, the bishops’ critiques of his administration’s economic policies have been particularly scathing.

The bishops have raised concerns about the government’s failure to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and alleviate poverty.

They have called for more transparency, accountability, and integrity in the management of public resources.

While the government may not always be receptive to these criticisms, the bishops’ voice provides a valuable perspective that cannot be ignored.

As the country approaches another election cycle, the question arises whether the bishops should continue to release pastoral letters critiquing President Chakwera.

Some may argue that with less than a year remaining before the polls, it may be more prudent for the bishops to focus on promoting peace, unity, and voter education rather than criticizing the government.

However, it is essential to remember that the bishops’ role is not only to support the government but also to challenge it when necessary.

The upcoming elections present an opportunity for the bishops to advocate for transparency, accountability, and good governance in the electoral process.

Moreover, the bishops’ critiques can serve as a valuable resource for voters in making informed decisions at the polls.

By highlighting the government’s shortcomings and calling for improvements, the bishops are contributing to a more transparent and accountable political system.

Bishops pastoral letters can help voters understand the issues at stake and hold their elected officials accountable for their actions.

In this way, the bishops play a crucial role in promoting good governance and strengthening democracy in Malawi.

In conclusion, the Catholic Bishops in Malawi should continue to release pastoral letters critiquing the government, including President Chakwera, as they fulfill their duty to hold those in power accountable and advocate for social justice.

The clergy’s critiques have a significant impact on public opinion and government policy, and their voice is essential in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance.

As the country heads to the polls, the bishops can use their influence to advocate for a fair and democratic electoral process.

By speaking out on issues that affect the well-being of the country, the bishops are contributing to a more just and equitable society for all Malawians.