Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera has praised the national football team, the Flames, for their impressive performance in their recent match against Burkina Faso. The match, which was crucial in the race for a spot in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, saw the Flames triumph with a commanding 3-0 victory.
Although the win was a significant achievement for the Flames, it was not enough to secure a place in the 2025 AFCON competition, which will take place in Morocco. The team’s performance throughout the qualifiers, under the guidance of coach Patrick Mabedi, has faced challenges, and the Flames have struggled to maintain consistency in their matches.
The flames
Despite the setback in terms of qualification, President Chakwera expressed optimism about the team’s potential. He lauded the Flames for their determination and hard work, emphasizing that the victory over Burkina Faso demonstrated their capability to perform at the highest level. Chakwera encouraged the players and coaching staff to remain focused on their development, as they continue to build for future international competitions.
“Although we will not be participating in the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, the performance we witnessed against Burkina Faso is a clear indication of the potential and talent that resides within this team,” said President Chakwera. “This victory is a step forward in our journey, and I am confident that with continued dedication and hard work, the Flames will rise to greater heights in future tournaments.”
The match against Burkina Faso gave Malawians hope that the Flames can still achieve success on the continental stage, even though they will not be part of the upcoming AFCON. The Flames will now turn their focus to improving their performance in other competitions, with the aim of making a stronger impact in the future.
In conclusion, President Chakwera’s words of encouragement serve as a reminder that the Flames have the potential to achieve greatness, and the victory against Burkina Faso should be seen as a building block toward future success in African football.
The People’s Development Party (PDP) has raised serious concerns over what it calls a “crisis” in the voter registration process as Malawi prepares for its 2025 general elections. PDP President, Dr. Kondwani Nankhumwa, criticized the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) and the National Registration Bureau (NRB) for their handling of the ongoing voter registration exercise, which has been marred by delays and technical failures.
In a press statement delivered at the Golden Peacock Hotel in Lilongwe, Dr. Nankhumwa expressed his frustration over the inefficiencies plaguing the voter registration process. He warned that many eligible voters could be disenfranchised if immediate steps are not taken to address the ongoing issues.
Nankhumwa
“The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) is currently implementing the second phase of voter registration in several cities and districts,” Dr. Nankhumwa said. “However, the process is encountering significant challenges, and as it stands, many eligible voters risk being denied their fundamental right to register for the upcoming election.”
At the heart of Dr. Nankhumwa’s concerns is the failure of the NRB to issue national identification cards (IDs) in time for the voter registration exercise. He pointed out that the timely issuance of IDs is crucial for ensuring that all eligible citizens can participate in the registration process.
“The NRB’s failure to issue these IDs on time has created significant barriers,” Dr. Nankhumwa explained. “This is compounded by bureaucratic inefficiencies, lack of public awareness campaigns, and inadequate resources, all of which threaten to disenfranchise large portions of the electorate.”
The PDP leader emphasized that such failures could undermine the legitimacy of the upcoming elections. “If these challenges are not addressed, we risk disenfranchising thousands, if not millions, of eligible voters—many of whom are already marginalized by systemic inefficiencies,” Dr. Nankhumwa said. “This is not just a logistical problem; it’s a direct attack on the democratic rights of the people of Malawi.”
Dr. Nankhumwa also expressed deep concerns over the MEC and NRB’s preparedness and efficiency in handling the voter registration exercise. He criticized the lack of staff at many registration centers and pointed to the technical failures affecting MEC’s systems, which have hampered the process in various regions.
“These problems are compounded by concerns about the credibility and neutrality of the NRB itself,” he stated. “The NRB plays a central role in the electoral process, and its ability to act impartially and competently is essential to maintaining the integrity of the election.”
Given the central importance of the NRB, Dr. Nankhumwa called for an investigation into the ongoing irregularities, urging the MEC to take swift action to restore public trust in the electoral process.
In response to the growing crisis, Dr. Nankhumwa proposed the creation of an Electoral Integrity Platform (EIP). This platform would bring together key stakeholders, including the MEC, NRB, political parties, and civil society organizations, to ensure that the voter registration process is transparent, inclusive, and effective.
“The establishment of the EIP is critical for addressing the challenges currently facing the voter registration exercise,” Dr. Nankhumwa said. “It will create a space for dialogue, foster trust, and implement solutions that can enhance the credibility of the entire electoral process.”
The EIP would focus on resolving key issues such as the delayed issuance of national IDs, technical failures in MEC’s systems, and allegations of voter suppression. Dr. Nankhumwa emphasized that a transparent investigation into these issues is essential to restoring confidence in the electoral process.
Dr. Nankhumwa also weighed in on the ongoing calls for the resignation of the MEC Chairperson, Justice Anabel Mtalimanja, who has been criticized due to her familial ties to former MCP president John Tembo. Despite defending her personal integrity, Dr. Nankhumwa suggested that Justice Mtalimanja may need to step down, given the growing perception that her position may not be neutral.
“Many Malawians now perceive Justice Mtalimanja as a member of MCP, regardless of whether her decisions are right or wrong,” he said. “She has lost the trust of the people, and my advice to her is to protect her integrity and consider stepping down.”
The PDP’s concerns over the voter registration process highlight the significant challenges Malawi faces in ensuring a free and fair 2025 general election. As the registration exercise continues, it is critical that the government, the MEC, and the NRB address the issues raised by Dr. Nankhumwa to safeguard the democratic rights of all Malawians. The creation of an Electoral Integrity Platform and a transparent investigation into the reported irregularities could be a vital step toward restoring public trust and ensuring the legitimacy of the upcoming elections.
Speaker of Parliament Catherine Gotani Hara has reaffirmed her commitment to maintaining the independence of the office, despite serving as both Speaker and First Deputy President of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
Speaking on the sidelines of Parliament Week in Lilongwe, Hara emphasized that the Constitution does not explicitly address this dual role, as long as she upholds impartiality in her duties.
As the first female Speaker of Parliament, Hara has been at the helm since June 2019, bringing a wealth of experience from her background in politics and international development.
Her stance on this issue underscores the importance of checks and balances in Malawi’s governance system.
“The Constitution remains silent on this matter,” Hara stated, “and I am committed to maintaining impartiality in my duties as Speaker.” This assurance comes amidst concerns that her dual role might compromise the independence of the office.
As chairman during debates in the House of Commons, the Speaker plays a crucial role in ensuring that MPs are heard and that rules are observed.
This position demands a delicate balance between party affiliations and the need to maintain neutrality.
The launch of Parliament Week aims to raise awareness about the functions and operations of Parliament, promoting transparency and accountability in governance.
This event provides a platform for citizens to engage with their elected representatives and understand the legislative process.
Catherine Gotani Hara’s experience spans various roles, including Programme Officer for the UK’s Department of International Development and Deputy Minister of Transport and Public Infrastructure.
Her leadership in the MCP and commitment to impartiality will be closely watched as Malawi navigates its governance landscape.
Speaker Hara’s defense of her dual role highlights the complexities of Malawi’s governance system.
As the country moves forward, the interplay between party politics and institutional independence will remain a critical aspect of its democratic development. However a human rights activist Pastor Moses Shumba dismissed Hara’s claim of impartiality in Parliament. “Madam speaker should be ashamed for telling lies,everyone knows that she has never been impartial in Parliament,” said pastor shumba.
Newly elected UTM party leader, Dr. Dalitso Kabambe, paid his respects today at the site of the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of former Vice President Saulos Chilima and eight others on June 10 this year.
Kabambe’s visit comes as the Commission of Inquiry, established to investigate the incident, completes its initial two phases of investigation in the Northern and Eastern regions.
During his visit, Kabambe reiterated his commitment to uncovering the truth behind the crash. “We are keenly following the activities of the Commission and will ensure that Malawians know the truth,” he stated. Kabambe also appealed to the government to construct a monument at the crash site, saying, “Let me also ask the government to construct a monument here, not what we have at the moment.”
Kabambe visiting Chikangawa
The Commission of Inquiry, chaired by Justice Jabbar Alide, has expressed concerns over the poor public response to their call for information, with only one person coming forward voluntarily.
Despite this, Kabambe’s visit demonstrates his dedication to transparency and accountability.
Following his visit to the crash site, Kabambe toured registration centers in Nkhata Bay, engaging with locals and reinforcing his commitment to the region’s development.
As Malawi prepares for the 2025 elections, Kabambe’s leadership and commitment to transparency will be closely watched.
The UTM party’s growth and influence under his leadership will likely shape the country’s political landscape.
Minister of Transport and Public Works, Jacob Hara, has warned enforcers of traffic rules and regulations to stop being lenient towards those who fail to comply with laws on the country’s roads.
Speaking at Gymkhana Ground in Zomba on Sunday during the commemoration of Africa Road Safety Day, Hara expressed concern over the behavior of some law enforcers.
Said Hara:”Why give someone a General Receipt (GR) and allow them to commit multiple crimes on the road at the expense of people’s lives?.This has to end forthwith.”
Jacob Hara
The minister underscored the government’s commitment to meeting Malawi 2063, to reduce fatal accidents by 50 percent by 2030.
Mayor for Zomba City, Councilor Christopher Jana, lamented the lack of seriousness in enforcing the law on the roads of Malawi.
“The operators are overloading, using unworthy vehicles, and other shortcuts to beat the law, to satisfy the employer,” said Jana.
The Director of Road Traffic and Safety Services(DRTSS), Andrew Sandula, said that if all stakeholders join hands, accidents could be reduced to minimal levels.
In Malawi,50 percent of the road accidents are caused by kabaza operators, according to the DRTSS.
The African Road Safety Day was commemorated under the theme: Voluntary compliance with road traffic rules saves lives, non-compliance is fatal.
