Chakwera's SONA Draws Harsh Criticism from Opposition Parties
Nankhumwa stated, "The SONA serves as a reflection of the nation's state, contextualized within the lived realities of the people."
LILONGWE, Malawi - President Lazarus Chakwera's recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), delivered on February 9th, 2023, has faced intense criticism from opposition parties, chiefly regarding perceived flaws in policy implementation under the current Tonse Alliance administration, writes Bridgette Mwanoka.
Both Leader of Opposition Kondwani Nankhumwa and Mary Navicha, appointed by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to replace Nankhumwa, expressed strong dissatisfaction with the ailing state of the economy on Tuesday, February 13th, 2024.
They highlighted the country's meager 0.6% GDP growth between 2022 and 2023, asserting that current economic projections fall well below expectations.
In his response to the SONA, Nankhumwa stated, "The SONA serves as a reflection of the nation's state, contextualized within the lived realities of the people."
He emphasized a stark disparity between the promises voiced in Parliament and the challenging on-ground realities faced by Malawians over the past three years under the Tonse government.
"This underscores the urgent need for meaningful discourse and decisive action to address pressing economic challenges," Nankhumwa declared, calling for immediate steps to tackle the situation.
Echoing a similar sentiment during her parallel press conference, Navicha underscored the country's far-from-ideal economic state, citing slowing GDP growth, high inflation, and unemployment as key indicators.
"The Malawian economy is far from ideal," she remarked grimly.
"Key economic indicators such as slow GDP growth, high inflation rates, and unemployment paint a grim picture of its current state."
Navicha presented her SONA response alongside 24 Members of Parliament, including herself, who were controversially barred from entering Parliament premises on the order of the Speaker.
MPs were instructed to refrain from attending sessions until Thursday, February 15th, 2024.
The opposition criticism comes amidst growing public dissatisfaction with the Tonse government's unfulfilled campaign promises and the stagnant economy.
With the cost of living skyrocketing, Malawians continue to struggle with severe job losses, rising fuel prices, rolling blackouts, and shortages of basic commodities.