President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera and First Lady Madam Monica Chakwera have concluded their official visit to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), where they engaged in crucial bilateral discussions with the UAE President, Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The talks, which centered on finding sustainable solutions to the ongoing fuel shortage in Malawi, were seen as a significant step in strengthening the bilateral ties between the two nations.
A key focus of the discussions was addressing the energy crisis in Malawi, which has been impacting the country’s economy and daily life. The President’s diplomatic efforts are aligned with the nation’s long-term goals, as part of Malawi’s broader development agenda for 2063, which aims to bolster infrastructure development, enhance agricultural productivity, and increase trade connectivity.
Chakwera leaving UAE
Younos Abdul Karim, the Ambassador for Kuwait and Gulf countries (excluding Qatar), underscored the importance of these talks, highlighting that they resonate directly with Malawi’s 2063 agenda. The Ambassador emphasized the UAE’s support in Malawi’s efforts to address key challenges in energy, infrastructure, and economic growth.
Following the successful conclusion of the discussions, President Chakwera and First Lady Monica departed from the Al Bateen Executive International Airport, marking the end of their fruitful engagement in the UAE. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Chakwera is scheduled to arrive at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe at approximately 1 o’clock this afternoon, where he will continue to focus on the implementation of the solutions discussed during his visit.
The visit to the UAE marks a significant diplomatic milestone in Malawi’s quest to secure international partnerships aimed at resolving pressing domestic issues and achieving sustainable development.
An audio released on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, by prominent activist Bon Kalindo, also known as the DC, has gone viral on social media, stirring up significant attention across Malawi. In the audio, Kalindo passionately speaks out against the current state of affairs in Malawi, accusing the country’s leadership, particularly the Malawi Police Service (MPS), of spreading false information and engaging in unprofessional conduct. His message, which has resonated deeply with many citizens, carries serious implications for the country’s governance and the rule of law.
Kalindo begins by addressing the lack of regular audio updates from his side, explaining that he only produces audios when he believes the content is vital for the public. He emphasizes that his activism is not driven by money but by the desire to expose the truth to Malawians, no matter how uncomfortable it may be for those in power. According to Kalindo, in a democratic society, there should be no fear of speaking out, even if it means facing repercussions such as surveillance or arrest. His boldness is evident as he declares, “If the leadership is tired of leading the nation in the right direction, the best thing to do is to resign.”
Bon Kalindo
One of the major points of contention in Kalindo’s message is the alleged false report released by the Inspector General of the Malawi Police Service regarding an arrest of suspects who were supposedly armed and disrupted a peaceful demonstration. Kalindo vehemently denies the claims, challenging the Inspector General to provide concrete proof, such as the names and photographs of the suspects. He insists that the police are merely fabricating stories to deceive the public and the international community, asserting that no such arrests have been made.
Kalindo’s challenge to the Inspector General is clear and direct: “If you think I am lying, come and arrest me.” He accuses the police of trying to appease the international community and local NGOs, who have been condemning the MPS for failing to address political violence. Kalindo claims that the police’s portrayal of arrests is merely an attempt to appear as though they are taking action, when in reality, nothing has been done.
The activist also raises serious concerns about the involvement of some police officers in the violence that has marred peaceful demonstrations. He names several individuals, including some traffic police officers and a police commissioner from Area City, accusing them of being hired to incite violence and undermine the legitimacy of peaceful protests. Kalindo has warned the leadership of the Malawi Police Service and the Malawi Defence Force to be cautious, as he believes their actions will soon have serious consequences.
In a further bold move, Kalindo demands that the names of the arrested suspects be made public within 48 hours, including their photographs, to prove that the MPS is truly upholding the law. He warns that if the police fail to provide this information, the public will be made aware of the MPS’s failure to protect citizens and uphold the constitution.
Kalindo’s criticism extends beyond the police to include the country’s electoral process. He takes aim at the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) and its recent voter registration exercise, calling it the “most fake registration exercise” in the country’s history. He accuses the police officers assigned to registration centers of being involved in corruption, citing a specific instance in Machinga where police officers were allegedly instructed to pay bribes to perform their duties. Kalindo has praised civil society leaders like Sylvester Namiwa, who have called for transparency and accountability from the police.
Kalindo also condemns the current government’s handling of issues such as the Admarc employees’ pay dispute, the erratic distribution of fertilizers, and the treatment of citizens by local authorities. He likens the current situation to “slavery” within Malawi, where the poor and vulnerable are exploited by those in power. He highlights the unjust treatment of workers and citizens, including an incident in Mulanje where a man was allegedly arrested without evidence and denied bail.
Throughout the audio, Kalindo’s message is clear: Malawians are no longer willing to accept lies and manipulation from their leaders. He warns that the time for fooling the public is over, and those in power must be held accountable for their actions.
The audio, which has captured the attention of many, is likely to spark further debate about the state of governance and law enforcement in Malawi. Kalindo’s calls for transparency, accountability, and justice have echoed across social media, as many citizens rally behind his message of truth and reform. As the nation watches closely, the next few days will likely determine whether the Malawi Police Service and other government institutions will respond to these allegations or continue to ignore the growing public outcry for change.
It has been six months since the tragic loss of Dr. Saulos Chilima, Malawi’s former vice president, and his wife, Mary Nkhamanyachi Chilima, took to social media today with an emotional post marking the passing of her beloved husband.
“Six months without you, my love,” Mary’s heartfelt message reads, resonating with deep emotions shared by many who continue to mourn his untimely death. Her words are a testament to the profound grief she is experiencing, a sentiment many across the country and beyond have shared in their remembrance of the late vice president.
Mary Chilima Facebook post
Dr. Chilima passed away on June 11, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of political ambition, national service, and personal integrity. His passing, which shocked the nation, led to an outpouring of tributes from politicians, citizens, and organizations that had worked alongside him throughout his tenure in government.
Mary’s post on social media reveals the personal side of this loss. For her, it is not just the absence of a public figure, but the absence of a partner, a confidant, and a love that had defined their lives together. In the midst of the overwhelming loss, Mary’s words offer a glimpse into her journey of remembering and healing.
Her tribute also reflects the challenges faced by those left behind in the wake of such a significant loss. It’s a stark reminder of the human side of political figures who often remain larger-than-life figures in the public eye. Behind the headlines, there are families left to grapple with the pain of losing loved ones.
As Mary remembers Dr. Chilima today, she honors not just his contributions to Malawi’s politics, but also the personal love and joy they shared together. She is among many who continue to find solace in the memories of a leader whose legacy transcended politics.
In the coming days, as the nation continues to reflect on his death, Mary’s poignant tribute will serve as a reminder of the personal stories that lay beneath the political surface, and of the love that continues to endure even in the face of such overwhelming loss.
Minister of Information and Digitalisation Moses Kunkuyu has warned the the media that the law will take its course if the media  will not obey regulation of broadcasting ahead of 2025 general election.
Kunkuyu made the sentiment during the 2024 Annual Broadcasters Conference organised by Malawi Regulatory Authority ( MACRA) on Monday in Lilongwe.
He said the country is going into a sensitive and political time and there is a role that will be expected to be played by various stakeholders hence the media is one of the stakeholders that play a very critical role.
Kunkuyu mentioned that people have their right to participate in the democratic processes and that does not require anyone to kind of shape their opinion by sessionalising the sector
He said : So what we are saying is let us allow people to exercise their rights without any sort of influence from other sources.
“There are regulations that have to be obeyed, every licencee, regulator and broadcaster in the country is under those regulations.
The minister added that they do not want to appear to be trumping on the freedom of the press when those laws are applied.
In his remarks MACRA Director General Daudi Suleman said the conference was very important because they want to make sure that they are on the same page with licencees as broadcasting sector is one of the areas that they regulate.
The MACRA 2024 Annual Broadcasters Conference brought together all media houses across the nation and was held when the country is expected to conduct 2025 general elections.
National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) says has dispatched ten petrol tankers in Blantyre in order to mitigate fuel shortage which has been experienced two days now.
In an email response to our reporters , NOCMA Public Relations Officer, Raymond Likambale said all efforts have been made to ensure there is sufficient flow of fuel in Blantyre.
Likambale said NOCMA is exploring alternative routes to ensure sustainable flow of fuel in light of Mozambique unrests.
Likambale
“Demonstrations in Mozambique have affected our transportation of fuel. Currently, we are relying on one route, the Tanzanian route. We are however, managing the situation. Currently, all Malawian tankers are being rerouted to Blantyre,”
He said “As at present, 10 Petrol tankers are already in Blantyre. More are on the way. We are uplifting product from Lilongwe, said Likambale.
NOCMA is since monitoring the security situation till it normalizes.
“We are closely monitoring the situation. Malawians should be made aware that there are sufficient fuel stocks in the country. NOCMA is on top of the game,” he said.
