A week ago, president Lazarus Chakwera presented to the nation an uninspiring State of the Nation Address (Sona). Nothing about that Sona said that Malawi is on a path of economic recovery neither did it show a leader that knows to steer the ship in the right direction.

Much of Chakwera’s voice was drowned in the jeers and interjections from the opposition who came prepared to frustrate Chakwera, the few times that his voice could be heard, there was little worth capturing.

This doesn’t seem strange to those who have been following how this Tonse Alliance government conducts its business. It has no direction and no sense of urgency. Flip-flopping on critical matters of national interest has become a norm such that every statement from the leadership is met with skepticism.

It is, therefore, no wonder that some people within the alliance, have started jumping out of the alliance ship which is surely heading for the seabed. The few brave people who feel this is not what they signed up for, must be commended and applauded for coming in the open and sounding the alarm.

The resignation of the Reverend Maurice Munthali, who was special adviser to the president on Peace, Reconciliation and National Unity and also the position of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) publicity secretary, is a big blow. In a scathing letter to the President and MCP secretary general, Munthali summed up everything that Malawians have been saying since this government came into power—this government is not willing to fight corruption, does not listen to wise counsel, and has failed to live to its own campaign promises which as Munthali puts it, they are many.

It must be purr on record that no amount of spinning the narrative can really save the battered reputation of both the president and the Tonse alliance government. If the resignation of Peter Dimba, as legal affairs committee chairperson and that of Kamuzu Chibambo, the alliance partner does not make Chakwera and the MCP do a proper introspection, then nothing will.

The spin doctors are all out trivializing these resignations, but if truth be told, this is huge. These resignations are a tell-tale of how bad things are.  A wise leader would not dismiss such people but rather lend an ear and by all means necessary work on restoring people’s confidence. Unfortunately, Malawi is blessed with arrogant leaders who only love to hear their own voices.

This Tonse ship is sinking fast. If nothing is done to salvage the situation, the whole country will sink with it. That would be quite unfortunate.

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