Malawi’s new president, Joyce Banda, clocks 100
days in office on Saturday Since took over power after the sudden death of
president Bingu wa Mutharika. Since she took over the power, The Iron lady as
she is called changed many of her predecessor's policies and laws which had
cost the country much needed foreign aid.
But Malawians are divided on their assessment
on the new president and.
There are mix reactions on whether President Joyce Banda is as good leader as the international community thinks she is.
There are mix reactions on whether President Joyce Banda is as good leader as the international community thinks she is.
This the stocktaking of 100 days of Joyce
Banda’s presidency by the opposition parties, Civil society and the public.
CIVIL SOCIETY
Renowned political science activist Ben Chiza Mkandawire blamed Banda for not fulfilling constitutional mandates like coming forth in the open and publicly declare her assets saying such behavior promotes corruption among leaders.
Renowned political science activist Ben Chiza Mkandawire blamed Banda for not fulfilling constitutional mandates like coming forth in the open and publicly declare her assets saying such behavior promotes corruption among leaders.
Mkandawire argued if Banda was a good leader
who want to improve the economy of the country she could have followed what
Section 88 (1) of the Constitution of the republic of Malawi says , which
stipulates that the president and members of cabinet must disclose all their
assets, liabilities and business interest - as well as those of their spouses
or any assets that are held on their behalf upon election or appointment.
“Such a declaration is supposed to be made in
writing three months of their election or appointment .Recently the president
celebrated her 100 days in office and dedicated it to the Malawian people. But
such dedication one would expect the president to fulfill certain
constitutional mandate like declaring her assets”. Wondered Kandawire.
Mkandawire said President Banda is not honoring
her promises she made to Malawians once she was appointed
“ President Joyce Banda promised Malawians that
she will rid the country of any corrupt practices by promoting mechanisms and
institutions that will help combat corruption, little did we Malawians know
that we were being hoodwinked yet again as she continues to fret and lag on the
decision to declare her assets even after the tree months period mandate by the
constitution is over” worried Mkandawire.
Mkandawire reminded Banda that she should
remember that she not wholly voted into office but rather she became president
by virtue of Section 87 of Malawi constitution which reads in part “ (1)
Whenever the President is incapacitated so as to be unable to discharge the
powers and duties of that office, the First Vice President shall act as
President until such time, in the President’s term of office.”
Mkandawire therefore warned that this is part
of the madate Malawian people gave to late President President Bingu Wa
Mutharika because of the constitution which is sacrosanct that Banda mush
adhere and respect its supremacy and declare her assets
OPPOSITION
Conquering with the Civil Society the
Opposition parties have said that the incumbent president Joyce Banda has
failed in her 100 days in office.
The then ruling Democratic Progressive Party
(DPP) Leader in Parliament George Chaponda said in a telephone interview .
According to DPP the current administration has
failed to live people’s expectation by being selective when it comes to
constitutional matters.
Chaponda pointed out the failure to impose section 65 where by members of parliament are not allowed
to cross the floor as a major abuse of the constitution
