Is Lazarus “rising”?

In a stirring national address delivered minutes ago, President Lazarus Chakwera confronted Malawi’s most pressing challenges while laying out a vision of resilience and hope for the nation’s future. Amid crises of hunger, fuel shortages, and political tension, the President’s words sought to rally Malawians around a collective effort to overcome adversity.

Battling Hunger with Action

President Chakwera began by addressing the devastating drought that has left 5.7 million Malawians food insecure. Declaring it “arguably the worst humanitarian crisis in our nation’s history,” he acknowledged the massive international support mobilized to alleviate the crisis.

Among notable contributions were $92.6 million from the World Bank, 19,200 metric tonnes of maize from Ukraine, and $23 million from the African Development Bank.

“Without these efforts,” he said.

“Hunger in Malawi would already have reached catastrophic levels.” Yet, he admitted the ongoing shortfall of K89 billion in resources required to address the crisis completely.

“To those still waiting for food aid, I say: help is on the way. Do not lose hope,” urged Chakwera, emphasizing his direct engagement in coordinating relief efforts and visiting affected districts.

A New Approach to Fuel Security

On fuel shortages, Chakwera highlighted the fragile dependency on foreign exchange reserves to meet the country’s $50 million monthly fuel demand. He attributed the recent fuel queues to delays in accessing sufficient forex but pointed to interim solutions like a $50 million revolving credit facility from BADEA.

“We cannot allow history to repeat itself with cyclical fuel crises,” he declared, unveiling a shift to a government-to-government procurement system aimed at securing more reliable payment terms. He also announced plans to visit the United Arab Emirates to negotiate long-term agreements.

A Call for Peace and Civic Duty

With elections approaching, Chakwera passionately condemned political violence and voter apathy. “Voting is your constitutional right,” he said, urging citizens to register and participate despite grievances.

He appealed for an end to the intimidation and violence that have marred the political landscape, adding, “Malawians are peace-loving people. Let’s not allow violence to ruin our reputation as a beacon of democracy in Africa.”

Austerity with Purpose

The President also foreshadowed new austerity measures in the mid-year budget review.

“Fiscal discipline is necessary to manage our debt while prioritizing food security,” he explained, calling for public support for the impending budget cuts.

A Nation Rebuilding

President Chakwera’s address underscored his administration’s commitment to tackling the intertwined challenges of food insecurity, fuel dependency, and political stability. “We must be a people who choose progress over despair,” he said, offering a rallying cry to a nation in search of resilience.

As Malawi faces a daunting path ahead, the question remains: Is Lazarus rising to lead his nation out of crisis? The President’s actions and the country’s collective response in the coming months may well provide the answer.