By PAC Correspondent
The current state of Malawi is one of a country at the crossroads.
Experts are telling PAC that while democratic resilience “remains pervasive and widespread”, is threatened by disenchantment with those in power.
Corruption, collapse of the economy, the failing state of agriculture, weak public institutions (making questionable contract decisions), politicization of civil society have weakened systems.
The Lazarus Chakwera administration (Tonse government) which came into government with popular support and high expectations, is now seriously viewed to have let the people down.
The situation is compounded by the fact that the main opposition-Democratic Progressive Party-(DPP) has also failed to live up to the billing of government in waiting.
Religious Mother Bodies of the Public Affairs Committee (PAC) met recently in Mangochi to explore governance and the economic environment in Malawi at the moment.
On Thursday June 22nd, the religious leaders for all member-religions of PAC converged on an hotel in Mangochi for a candid talk on enhancing social cohesion in the country at this time.
The meeting, made possible with funding from UNDP through PAC’s Social Cohesion program, brought together leaders from Blantyre Synod of CCAP, Livingstonia Synod of CCAP, Muslim Association, Quadria Muslim Association and the Episcopal Conference of Malawi ECM and others in hope of helping find solutions to governance and economic problems rocking Malawi.
The meeting later agreed on a common position on its’ findings on the socio-economic and governance situation and recommended what they think will define PACs actions in the future.
The PAC Mother Bodies were getting to appreciate the socio-economic and political environment in the country, from an expert point of view, and they reflected on the way forward.
The gathering conducted the review by looking at key challenges in Malawi and analyzing the political challenges with the reigning government administration led by Dr. Lazarus Chakwera.
Political expert from the University of Malawi, Dr. Boniface Dulani, made a presentation on the political situation; implications and prospects while economic expert Farai Chigaru discussed economic challenges implications and prospects.
