LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiative (CDEDI) has urged President-elect Arthur Peter Mutharika to “hit the ground running” and immediately start addressing the crises Malawians have endured over the past six years.
In a congratulatory statement issued in Lilongwe on Thursday, October 2, 2025, CDEDI described Mutharika’s victory in the September 16 election as a clear protest vote against what it called the “gross incompetence and cluelessness” of President Lazarus Chakwera’s outgoing Malawi Congress Party (MCP) administration.
CDEDI said Malawians can no longer afford a leadership that indulges in a political honeymoon while the country grapples with fuel shortages, food insecurity, forex crises and unaffordable fertiliser.
The organisation stressed that the incoming Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government has a daunting task to restore sanity and decorum in the management of state affairs and deliver a government that treats the vulnerable with dignity and is trusted by citizens.
The organisation recommended bold steps for the incoming administration including granting a 30-day amnesty for those who looted public funds to return the money or face prosecution, changing the national currency within 60 days to compel hidden cash back into the banking system and reviewing all mining contracts signed under the previous regime to ensure that they serve the interests of Malawians rather than a privileged few.
CDEDI also called for a fresh inquiry into the June 10, 2024 Chikangawa plane crash that claimed the life of Vice-President Saulos Chilima and eight others, urging the government to provide the nation with the truth.
It further stressed the need to reform the sugar industry by addressing the dominance of Illovo and ensuring local companies like Salima Sugar Company can make vitamin A fortified sugar accessible to the majority of Malawians.
Highlighting the country’s fragile financial situation, CDEDI said Malawi is “technically bankrupt” following excessive borrowing under the outgoing administration and called for a high level team to be established to lobby for foreign debt cancellation.
The organisation argued that these measures are essential for restoring public confidence and reviving the economy.
CDEDI also implored the new government to recover resources it says were mercilessly plundered during the past six years, emphasizing that accountability must be upheld and those responsible must face justice.
The organisation insisted that Malawi has the resources to provide relief food and affordable fertiliser but what is lacking is honest leadership and seriousness in governance.
As Mutharika prepares for inauguration, CDEDI reminded him that the true value of the Malawian vote lies in holding leaders accountable and ensuring they cannot indulge in corruption or abuse the powers entrusted to them.
The watchdog group concluded that Malawians expect a government that acts decisively and prioritizes the well-being of citizens from day one.
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