Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LoP) George Chaponda has described the year 2024 as that of darkness and void of leadership.
In a statement released on Monday, Chaponda said the year has been marked by tragic loss, suffering, and a consistent failure of leadership at every level of government.
“It is a year we will not soon forget, but one from which we must derive the strength to demand better from ourselves and our leaders in 2025. The loss of Vice President Saulosi Chilima and eight other Malawians in a tragic incident earlier this year has left a deep scar on our nation. Their passing was a moment of profound sorrow, and we mourn their untimely deaths.
“However, the government’s response to this tragedy has only added to the grief. The Commission of inquiry instituted to investigate the incident has been a farce. Rather than bringing justice or answers to the families of the victims and to the Malawian people, it has only served to deepen the sense of betrayal.
“We cannot and will not accept a hollow exercise that ignores the truth and dismisses the legitimate questions that arise from such a loss. The people of Malawi deserve transparency and accountability.
“But this tragedy is not isolated. The year 2024 has been defined by a series of failures in leadership that have touched every aspect of our lives. The country is grappling with severe shortages of foreign exchange, fuel, and essential medicines in our hospitals.
“These are not mere inconveniences, they are crises that have left our economy in a state of stagnation, our people struggling to meet their most basic needs, and our health system on the brink of collapse. In a year where we should have seen progress, we instead saw the erosion of trust in institutions that should serve us,” he said
Chaponda further said that the disastrous implementation of the Affordable Inputs Program (AIP) has been another concern.
“What should have been a lifeline to struggling farmers has been mired in inefficiency, corruption, and poor planning. Many Malawians who rely on AIP have been left without the support they desperately need to grow their crops and feed their families.
“This failure has compounded the ongoing hunger crisis, which has gripped the nation in the latter part of 2024. The current food insecurity is a direct result of systemic mismanagement and the inability of our leadership to deliver on promises.
“Adding to these challenges, the National Registration Bureau (NRB) and the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) have been sources of grave concern throughout the year. Their activities have been marked by a lack of transparency, raising serious questions about their intentions.
“The opposition cannot ignore the growing suspicion that these institutions are being manipulated to interfere with the integrity of the forthcoming elections. Such actions threaten the very foundation of our democracy and must be addressed with urgency and vigilance. It is our plea that the NRB and the MEC strive to create a conducive environment for all stakeholders.
“Furthermore, 2024 has been a year the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has shown Malawians their true colors in terms of human rights. We have seen MCP youths in masks, armed with pangas, collaborating with the Malawi Police Service to suppress innocent Malawians exercising their right to peaceful demonstrations. What is even more disturbing is that the Malawi Police Inspector General remains in office despite failing to provide the security our citizens deserve.
“These issues-ranging from the loss of lives, to violations of human rights, to economic stagnation, to food insecurity, and to the undermining of democratic processes are a painful testament to one inescapable reality: We have lacked leadership.
“There has been a failure to act decisively, to plan effectively, and to prioritize the welfare of the Malawian people. What we have witnessed this year is not just a lack of solutions, but a refusal to acknowledge the depth of the problems we face.
“As we close the door on this tragic year, we must open our eyes to the future and demand change. In 2025, we must be more demanding, more assertive, and more united in calling for leadership that delivers results, not excuses. Our people deserve a government that is transparent, accountable, and committed to their well-being. We must demand an end to the incompetence, the corruption, and the disregard for human life and dignity that has characterized 2024.
“Let this be the year we say “enough is enough. Let 2025 be the year of accountability, of progress, and of a renewed commitment to the people of Malawi We owe it to those we have lost, to those who continue to suffer, and to the generations that will follow,” he said
Simply desire to say your article is as surprising The clearness in your post is simply excellent and i could assume you are an expert on this subject Fine with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post Thanks a million and please carry on the gratifying work