Opposition MPs Boycott President’s State Of National Address

There was chaos in Malawi parliament when president professor Peter Mutharika arrived in the august house to deliver a state of national address.

Members of Parliament for Malawi Congress Party MCP booed Mutharika hence interrupting his speech several times during the opening of 48th session of parliament in Lilongwe.

DPP lawmakers retaliated and asked the speaker of parliament Catherine Gotani Hara to impose a law which punishes the legislator who does not abide by the Act.

Hara tried to calm down MCP MPs but to no avail hence imposing the law.

“Honourable members sit down please!” Hara said

This resulted into chasing out MP for Dedza South Ishmael Onani.

However, all MCP MPs left their seats in support of Onani, singing but they did not go out of parliament and returned to their seats.

As Mutharika restarted speaking they repeated the booing and to the surprise of many viewers they left the parliament building.

This gave chance to the president to deliver his national address.

Speaking Mutharika said what has happened today is a sign that there is democracy in Malawi.

He said is optimistic that the country’s economy will grow by 5 percent in the next fiscal year.

“Micro and macroeconomic indicators have shown positive indicators that the economy will grow,” Mutharika said

He added that it is expected that inflation will continue to decline below the current 8 percent.

The president stressed that his government will ensure that expenditures are contained and control the pilfering of public funds.

Lastly, Mutharika congratulated Hara for her election as first female speaker of parliament.

He wished her all the best as she leads the national assembly in five years time.

Speaking to journalists the leader of the house in parliament Kondwani Nankhumwa asked opposition MPs to avoid misconduct.

“It was unfortunate that some MPs were booing the president and left parliament before he delivered his speech,” Nankhumwa said

He advised the MPs not to abscond their duties because people in their respective constituencies need development

In his remarks European Union Ambassador to Malawi Sandra Pearson said she was not happy with what happened.

However Pesrson said “it was interesting that the MPs were expressing themselves and were not forced to go out of parliament.”

She stressed that there is need of trust and confidence for the country to move forward.