If the term resignation exists in Malawian politics, I will expect massive resignations in the Tonse Alliance regime. Here is an excerpt of circumstances surrounding the same.
1.Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, the State President of the Republic of Malawi
“Greetings, my fellow Malawians. Today, I have an honor to address you on pertinent issues in Malawi. Pertinent because as you are aware that some two years ago I made a promise that if didn’t fulfil most of the promises in two years, I would resign…
Indeed after two years, admittedly many promises have not been fulfilled. Fuel and forex are scarce. Inflation rate is high. Corruption is the highest as ever before. Cost of living is skyrocketing. Poverty is increasingly mushrooming. There is no hope for the hopeless, no vision for the visionless, no direction for the directionless and no clue for the clueless…
It bleeds my heart to see my fellow Malawians struggling with life while I am at state house enjoying the delicacies of power. It pricks my heart when people are dying in hospitals due to lack of essential drugs and electricity while I am their president. I am devastated….
As a man of God, my conscience is compromised when corruption, nepotism, abuse of office and funds embezzlement are the order of this regime of which I am the head. It is also an insult to all men of God because admittedly, I have watched such vices under my regime flourishing…
In view of these predicaments, I tender my resignation as the state president of this country. As for my successor, let the law take its course”.
2. Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima, the Vice President of the Republic of Malawi
“With a heavy heart, I decided to call you to this important briefing. I will speak in English and thereafter in Chichewa for the benefit of my fellow Malawians.
Some two years ago, I personally criss-crossed the whole country selling Tonse Alliance to you with a hope of transforming our nation. We promised many things such as three meals a day, one million jobs a day, bullet trains, mega farms and others.
Unfortunately, as I am talking now, there is more corruption than ever before. Life of a peasant is hard. No three meals a day and even others go to bed without food. Prices are high. As the Vice President of this country, who forms part of the cabinet, I take responsibility for the mess we are in.
I am also perturbed that my name was mentioned by the National Crime Agency (NCA) in the United Kingdom. I am aware that the position of the Vice President requires public trust and integrity. It would therefore be prudent of me to allow the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Malawi and the NCA in UK to carry out their investigations without any interference.
In view of the foregoing, I honorably tender my resignation with immediate effect as the Vice President of the Republic of Malawi. I also urge the law to find my appropriate successor.”
3. Eisenhower Mkaka, Minister of Natural Resources
A few weeks ago, the social media was awash with news that I was involved in corrupt deals. The allegations were that I procured a Mercedes Benz as a kick back or bribe he got.
Although it has taken weeks for ACB to issue a formal statement on their findings, public sector etiquettes require that any public officer who is suspected of committing any crime must step aside to pave way for thorough investigations. People must also be aware that the interdiction or resignation does not prove in any way any wrongdoing…
I therefore tender my resignation as minister of Natural Resources with immediate effect.”
4. Robin Lowe, Minister of Agriculture
“There are allegations that I am involved in misprocurement of fertilizer to the tune of 30 billion kwacha meant for Agricultural Input subsidy programme. Much as I don’t admit any wrongdoing, I find that these allegations serious and disturbing.
In addition to that, the president also warned me that if fertilizer is not delivered by September, I would be fired. Without waiting for the president’s action, I render my resignation as the Minister of Agriculture with immediate effect.”
The way forward
In the absence of the State President, his Vice President and other key cabinet ministers, Cabinet must convene an impromptu meeting to elect an interim president of the country amongst themselves. Thereafter, fresh presidential elections need to conducted within 60 days. This can only happen if the term resignation exists in Malawian politics.
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