Africa-Press – Malawi. Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Kondwani Nankhumwa has asked President Lazarus Chakwera not to travel to Egypt for this year’s Conference of the Parties (CoP27), saying the trip would drain forex meant for fuel and drugs.
But government spokesperson Gospel Kazako Wednesday rubbished Nankhumwa’s demand. Briefing reporters in Lilongwe, Nankhumwa said, in the short term, Chakwera must dissolve Cabinet and come up with a lean Cabinet with a maximum of 18 ministers.
The opposition leader also asked Chakwera to “call for a roundtable” where experts can discuss challenges Malawi is experiencing. Responding to a question on whether he had attempted to meet Chakwera on the matter, Nankhumwa said there is no reason for him to lobby for a meeting with the President until the President invites him.
Nankhumwa also suggested that government should increase the monthly tax-free band from K100,000 to K200,000 since the Kwacha has lost its value. Director of Communication at the State House Sean Kampondeni on Tuesday told reporters that Chakwera will leave this Saturday for Egypt to attend CoP27.
Reacting to Nankhumwa’s sentiments, Kazako said those who understand issues of forex know that forex is generated from what the country exports. “We don’t export to ourselves. A nation needs markets in other countries and relationships in order to motivate the process of forex generation.
“In a situation we are in, [the] President can’t just sit at Kamuzu Palace and expect our forex situation to change,” Kazako said.
For More News And Analysis About Malawi Follow Africa-Press
