Give Mutharika JBs phone number

BIRD’S VIEW EYE- WEEKLY COLUMN

On Saturday, during his interview with Brian Banda of Times Group, former President Arthur Peter Mutharika elicited a chuckle from me when he claimed not to communicate with Joyce Banda, another former president of Malawi.

In fact, the leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) took it a step further during a national television interview, saying he does not have the phone number for the Peoples Party (PP) leader.

Adding a touch of irony, he also mentioned his non-engagement with President Lazarus Chakwera, citing the busy nature of the presidency.

The former president’s statements were not truthful to say the least, prompting a mix of laughter and embarrassment as they aired on one of Malawi’s major media platforms.

While it is not obligatory for Mutharika to maintain direct contact with former or current presidents, it certainly speaks to a level of honour and statesmanship to do so.
His assertion that he does not possess Banda’s phone number and refrains from contacting President Chakwera due to the busyness of the office is, at best, a feeble attempt at diplomacy and at worst, a disingenuous evasion of responsibility.

Firstly, it strains credulity to believe that Mutharika, a seasoned politician and former Head of State, lacks the basic means of contacting another former president.
In an era where communication technology is ubiquitous, the notion that Mutharika cannot reach out to Banda seems implausible. Despite any personal or political differences, common courtesy and respect for their shared history of holding office would suggest the need to maintain some form of communication.

Additionally, Mutharika’s rationale for not engaging with President Chakwera lacks conviction. While the presidency demands immense dedication, diplomatic protocol and the imperative of national unity necessitate inter-presidential communication, irrespective of political affiliation.

The failure to uphold such communication not only reflects poorly on Mutharika personally but also undermines the democratic norms of Malawi by fostering a sense of political isolation and division.
Moreover, Mutharika’s statements, delivered on a prominent media platform, not only reveal a deficit in statesmanship but also detract from the dignity of the presidency itself.

By publicly admitting to a disregard for inter-presidential communication, Mutharika sets a precedent that undermines the dignity and respect associated with the office, potentially eroding public confidence in the institution of the presidency.

Understandably, political rivalries and personal animosities may exist between individuals in the political arena.
However, as custodians of the nation’s highest office, former presidents have to transcend personal grievances and prioritise the interests of the country above all else.

This includes maintaining open lines of communication with their predecessors and successors and fostering a sense of continuity and stability in governance.

While it is not obligatory for Mutharika to directly engage with former and current presidents, his dismissive stance towards such communication undermines the principles of respect, unity and continuity crucial for a democratic society.

Instead of offering feeble excuses, Mutharika should recognise the significance of inter-presidential dialogue and demonstrate the leadership expected of a former Head of State.

With such kind of thinking, it is not surprising that Mutharika rejected President Chakwera’s invitation to unite with other former presidents in coordinating support, both at home and abroad, for the victims of Cyclone Freddy, which inflicted severe damage on parts of the country last year.

Therefore, a more appropriate response to Brians question would have been to acknowledge the importance of maintaining open communication lines.

He could have stated, “I make it a priority to keep communication channels open and whenever the opportunity arises, I engage with both the current president and fellow former presidents.”

Honestly, he had little to lose. However, his claim on national television that he does not communicate with JB because he lacks her phone number remains quite laughable.
May Brian Banda deliver on his promise to provide Mutharika with JB’s phone number.