CHRR describes Chakwera’s SONA as a missed opportunity

The Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) has described President Lazarus Chakwera’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), presented today, as a missed opportunity, arguing that it failed to provide tangible solutions to the challenges Malawians are currently facing.

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In his SONA, President Chakwera highlighted several development projects undertaken by his administration over the past four years, including infrastructure improvements, the Social Cash Transfer Program, the Affordable Inputs Program (AIP), and the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF), which he claimed have benefited many Malawians.

However, he also acknowledged that his government has faced major setbacks, citing the COVID-19 pandemic and Cyclone Freddy, which claimed many lives, as key challenges to the country’s development.

“Let me commend all citizens for enduring the hardships they have faced. I assure all Malawians that we are working tirelessly to fix this country by addressing these challenges, including those that are man-made, such as corruption, which was rampant under the previous administration,” Chakwera said.

Reacting to the address, CHRR Executive Director Michael Kayiyatsa expressed disappointment, stating that the SONA failed to offer concrete solutions to pressing issues such as the economic crisis, fuel shortages, and food insecurity, which Malawians expected the president to address.

“Malawians are suffering, and it is unfortunate that the president spent most of his time listing development projects district by district instead of outlining how his government plans to tackle the serious challenges affecting the people,” Kayiyatsa said.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Dr. George Chaponda, also dismissed the president’s speech, accusing him of using the platform as a campaign tool ahead of the September 16 general elections.

President Lazarus Chakwera delivered his State of the Nation Address in Parliament today, officially opening the 51st session of the National Assembly for 2025.