Critics call President Chakwera’s SONA a missed opportunity

Critics are describing the State of the Nation Address (SONA) by President Lazarus Chakwera as a missed opportunity to address Malawi’s pressing challenges.

President Chakwera delivered the SONA during the opening of the 51st session of Parliament in Lilongwe, outlining his administration’s achievements across various sectors.

Chakwera highlighted several initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Malawians, including strengthening the rule of law, managing public services, and combating corruption, which he claimed were being resisted by certain groups.

On the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of his deputy, Saulos Chilima, and eight others, Chakwera said he shared the same questions raised by Mary Chilima earlier this week.

Regarding Lake Malawi, the President reiterated his government’s stance that the entire lake belongs to Malawi and should benefit its citizens. However, he emphasized Malawi’s commitment to peaceful negotiations with neighboring countries in case of disputes over the lake.

He concluded the address by expressing confidence in the work his government has done, brushing off criticism from opponents.

However, many stakeholders have expressed disappointment, accusing the President of failing to tackle critical socio-economic issues such as forex and fuel shortages, the rapid rise in commodity prices, and the suspension of USAID services.

The Executive Director of the Centre for Human Rights Rehabilitation (CHRR), Michael Kaiyatsa, said President Chakwera failed to outline what he intends to recover the economy.

“The president has missed the opportunity to tell Malawians what plans his government is going to implement in order to address that Malawians are facing right now and he did not even acknowledge the challenges that Malawians are currently going through” Kaiyatsa explains.

The United Democratic Front (UDF) leader in Parliament, Ned Poya, echoed similar sentiments, accusing the President of delivering a speech that lacked substance.

“The President gave a constituency statement, not the State of the Nation. He should explain what he’s doing to tackle economic problems and hunger,” said Poya.