Opposition Malawi Congress Party leader Lazarus Chakwera addresses supporters after a court annulled the May 2019 presidential vote that declared Peter Mutharika a winner, in Lilongwe, Malawi, on February 4, 2020. File photo: REUTERS/Eldson Chagara
Malawi’s fundamentals for agriculture are strong: nutrient-rich land combined with a lush climate. Yet what is lacking is the expertise to maximise economic and job creation: while more than 80% of Malawians are employed in farming, most of them are subsistence farmers. The country needs not only agribusiness investment but the know-how to add value to the chain of production and multiply yields.
In sharp contrast, the Malawi election result has revealed the strength of the country’s independent judicial system. When a deluge of ballots was found to have been altered — Tipp-Exed to “correct” the votes — the Constitutional Court annulled the result. The judges did this despite being offered bribes by the governing party, a rare win for rule of law in Southern Africa.
His replacement has set a different tone. Chakwera’s desire to “clear the rubble” — as he puts it — has, in a few short months, already led to many investigations into past deals the former government made. Dubious contracts have been suspended. In this, his party, administration and state institutions stand firmly behind him.
But he is got wooden steering wheel that one.