Rev. Baxton Maulidi, the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) Economic Justice & Accountability Champion in Malawi, has strongly criticized the federal government’s dealing with of the nation’s financial challenges, declaring that Malawi is in disaster attributable to poor financial administration.
Rev. Maulidi’s remarks observe a protest immediately by distributors of second-hand garments, or kaunjika, who stormed Parliament in Lilongwe to specific frustration over hovering costs, which have made it troublesome for them to afford bales of garments to promote. The protest indicators a rising public discontent over the worsening financial state of affairs, and Rev. Maulidi warns that it’s a wake-up name for the federal government.
“The government has failed to solve the economic crisis, and this protest should serve as a reminder that something needs to be done immediately,” Rev. Maulidi stated. “The rising inflation and skyrocketing prices of basic goods are driving people to the edge.”
The authorities’s response, led by Minister of Trade and Industry Sosten Gwengwe, has been to revoke the licenses of wholesale merchants who provide second-hand garments, an motion Rev. Maulidi deems a short-sighted, reactive measure.
“This is like shooting itself in the foot,” he argued. “The vendors are the ones who will suffer because they rely on this business to survive. The wholesale traders cannot be blamed for raising prices; they are responding to the scarcity of forex, which is the real issue here.”
Minister Gwengwe made the announcement in Parliament immediately, stating that the federal government had revoked the licenses of all wholesale merchants dealing in second-hand garments, demanding that they stop operations instantly. This resolution adopted rising protests from kaunjika distributors who’re struggling to deal with the rising costs.
“We have to take decisive action to address the issues facing vendors, and we believe this step will bring order to the market,” Gwengwe stated throughout the session.
However, Rev. Maulidi warns that this transfer will solely exacerbate the financial disaster, because it disrupts the availability chain that distributors rely upon. “The government should have acted proactively to manage the economy long before it reached this point,” he stated. “Instead of reactive measures like revoking licenses, we need concrete, long-term solutions.”
Rev. Maulidi requires the federal government to develop a transparent financial restoration plan, one which addresses foreign exchange shortages, stabilizes costs, and supplies assist for native companies. “Banning kaunjika is not the solution,” he confused. “The government needs to stop reacting and start addressing the root causes of the crisis.”
As the protest continues exterior Parliament, Minister of Local Government Richard Chimwendo Banda assured distributors that the federal government would supply assets to assist them proceed buying and selling, whereas Gwengwe pledged to have interaction with the distributors’ committee to seek out sustainable options.
With the nationwide funds for 2025-2026 presently beneath dialogue in Parliament, authorities officers are promising to implement measures aimed toward bettering the socio-economic situations of Malawians, nevertheless it stays to be seen whether or not these actions will convey tangible aid.
Rev. Maulidi’s assertion underscores the urgency of the state of affairs, warning that except the federal government takes decisive motion to deal with the foundation causes of financial hardship, the disaster will deepen.
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