By Vincent Gunde
President Arthur Peter Mutharika has called on Malawians to unite and focus on rebuilding the country, while saying citizens should respect the government by obeying the law rather than fearing it.
Speaking during an exclusive interview with MBC Television aired on Sunday night, Mutharika said he is pleased that incidents involving the use of pangas has declined in the country, arguing that Malawians are now freer than they were under the previous MCP-led administration.
He also defended food security as an achievement, saying people in districts such as Machinga and Nsanje who previously relied on wild foods such as chitedze and nyika are best placed to appreciate improved food availability under the DPP-led government.
Mutharika acknowledged that his administration’s first year had been marked by numerous challenges but said the government has done its best to address them.
As the DPP government enters its second year, he urged Malawians, regardless of political affiliation, to work together with the private sector to rebuild the country.
“There’s strong cooperation between the private and public sector. All of us must come together to rebuild this country,” said Mutharika.
He urged Malawians to unite in pursuing what he described as the country’s promised “Canaan”, while expressing concern over what he called growing anger and division in society.
Mutharika said Malawi, known as the “Warm Heart of Africa”, risks becoming increasingly divided and bitter if citizens fail to work together.
He expressed hope that Malawians will unite as one family and, through collective effort, overcome the challenges facing the country.
