The devastation brought by Tropical Cyclone Freddy is huge and in many cases impossible to reverse. The cyclone which landed in Malawi a few weeks ago has so far claimed over 500 lives and left thousands of people displaced and destitute. There are many people still missing.

I am holding everyone, directly or indirectly affected by Cyclone Freddy, in my heart. People and organisations of goodwill have given and continue to give to alleviate the survivors’ suffering.

As a country in mourning, it is important at this moment to set aside our political, religious and tribal affiliations as now we move to the next level of rebuilding survivors’ lives.

While the government’s response to the disaster was slow, credit must be given for all the efforts so far and going forward one can only hope that lessons have been learnt that leaders need to think on their feet and act with urgency.

We have seen all the political manoeuvring in this disaster. Politicians from both sides of the divide have been on the ground in an apparent act of cheering the survivors and, of course, to score some policy points.

While others are trying everything possible to unite and at least speak with one voice, there is one person who thinks this moment is all about him—former president Peter Mutharika.

Mutharika is a good example of how not to be a statesman. I have issues with how President Chakwera handled this disaster and still more needs to be done but, at least, one can see that he is trying.

Chakwera calling on the former presidents to discuss what has befallen Malawi and perhaps seek wisdom from them surely should be commended.

However, Mutharika turned this to be about him and not much about the people in dire straits right now. Mutharika’s selfishness has shone through. At a time when he needed to forget about his ego, Mutharika with his absence at the meeting, loudly said he doesn’t care about everyone or anything else but his convenience and interests. What a shame from a man who once held the highest position in the land and who by all the signs wants the position back.

Mutharika is sulking because of the 2020 presidential election loss. So many people do not agree with how Chakwera is running the government but, at least they do recognise the fact that at the moment no matter their indifference to his leadership, Chakwera is the President and there isn’t much they can do right now to change that.

Shunning the Sanjika meeting has for sure put a dent in the only badly dented image of Mutharika. APM should learn that there are moments in life, be it political life when one has to forget about one’s political leaving and do what is good for the county. Mutharika failed to rise to the occasion and lost any bragging rights.

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