By Wadza Botomani
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Peter Mutharika promised a “return to proven leadership” when they won the government on September 16th. Instead of stability, Malawians are now facing a relentless barrage of crises that are making daily life increasingly unbearable. The nation is now gripped by prolonged electric blackouts, severe fuel scarcity, and a growing lack of access to clean water. With each passing day, Malawians are starting to question whether the government has any solution at all to this downward spiral.
The ruling DPP must tell Malawians the blunt truth: the current dire economic situation, including the critical lack of forex and fuel, will not end soon. The DPP does not possess a magic wand to turn around these deep-seated economic woes instantly. The problems are structural and require more than just political rhetoric.
I am aware that the DPP is banking on the International Monetary Fund’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) as a lifeline to boost the economy and replenish forex reserves. However, this financial rescue is far from guaranteed and is certainly not imminent. The IMF team that was in the country recently was merely on a fact-finding mission to understand the extent of Malawi’s economic troubles. Formal discussions for a new program have not even begun.
The path to securing an ECF is long and fraught with difficult conditions. For Malawi to qualify, the government will have to accept politically suicidal terms, most notably the devaluation of the Kwacha. There is a long, winding, and rough road before things get any better, if they do at all. Negotiations between the government and the IMF in Lilongwe and Washington could easily take a year or two. For the ordinary Malawian suffering today, there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Anthuwa kumawauza chilungamo—the people must be told the truth.