President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and First Lady Gertrude Mutharika have been urged to reconcile with First Vice President Dr Jane Mayemu Ansah before preaching peace and unity to Malawians.
The call has come from citizens and political commentators who say the couple’s messages on national unity risk losing meaning amid what they describe as political tensions involving Dr Ansah.
Reverend Joseph Kaphika of the CCAP, political analyst Nancy Phiri and commentator Golden Chaima have questioned how the Mutharikas can promote national cohesion while allegedly being involved in actions they say are contributing to divisions within the country’s leadership.
Reverend Kaphika said national leaders should lead by example and demonstrate peace and unity within their own circles before asking the public to do the same.
“How can they speak of peace and unity? There is absolutely nothing for the public to learn from them when they are at the forefront of driving divisions,” he said.
Kaphika described the alleged political hostility towards Dr Ansah as disappointing, particularly given her position as a senior female statesperson.
Chaima, meanwhile, criticised Mutharika’s leadership, accusing him of relying on information from political allies without sufficiently hearing both sides of disputes.
“When a leader hears rumours, he is expected to summon both parties to hear all sides before making flawed decisions,” Chaima said.
He further alleged that some people surrounding the President were spreading information aimed at undermining Dr Ansah and eventually removing her from her position.
The commentators have therefore challenged the DPP leadership to demonstrate reconciliation within the executive before making further calls for national peace and unity.
They argue that reconciliation between Mutharika and Dr Ansah would give greater credibility to any subsequent appeals for unity directed at Malawians.
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