Snoring amid changes in the world order?
Hon. Folks, those who read Backbencher of last week must’ve been wondering who the heck is Boom Mike? Yours truly doesn’t know either, never heard of the name. Sorry folks, it was a typo, should’ve read boom mic as in microphone.
The rise of Donald Trump may have shocked some of us who thought a person with a rotten mouth, no political or military experience could ballot-tramp on highly qualified Hillary Clinton.
Now, Trump is the 45th President of the United States of America, the world’s only super power, and whatever he does or says will have an impact on the rest of the world. As they say, when America sneezes the rest of the world catches the cold.
Already, the world is busy trying to figure out what the rise of Trump means to the world order. In pursuit of an America First agenda, Trump vowed to ditch “bad” trade deals, denied global warming is a serious man-made problem, threatened to expel illegal immigrants to the US and told Nato partners they will have to pay for US military services, among other things.
Surprisingly, Foreign Affairs minister Francis Kasaila is on record as having said government here expects no policy change, really?
Isn’t Agoa a trade deal that just might be reviewed? Is there plan B for upgrading our electricity infrastructure if Trump, who hardly mentioned Africa in his campaign speeches, decides to freeze the $350.7 million MCA compact in the spirit of America First?
It’s not beyond this business tycoon—who the other day bragged about accomplishing a hotel project in record time, thereby saving a lot of money—to rabidly enforce the thinking that not poverty but capacity to use aid efficiently and effectively, an attribute that Malawi doesn’t have, should be the basis for US aid.
As a country without any strategic value to the US, Malawi would only be prudent to have something unique that can wake up Trump’s sleeping spirit of philanthropy, otherwise the current woes Treasury faces in funding ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) will get much worse if business as usual costs us aid from the US, our largest bilateral donor.
MCP president Lazarus Chakwera believes Trump’s victory is an indication given a level playing field, the opposition can win the 2019 elections. C’mon man, who’ll level the playing field?
Chakwera should realise that a levelled playing field can only go as far as giving the contestants an equal chance to win an election. Actual winning depends on coming up with messages that best address the needs of the electorate. MCP should worry more about proving to the electorate that they are better than DPP.
The government side is equally myopic to think they are stronger than the opposition. APM garnered a paltry 36.4 percent of the votes in 2014. The only other presidential candidate to win with such low votes was his late brother Bingu who amassed 35.97 percent in 2004.
APM should rather focus on what made Bingu amass 65.98 percent of the votes in 2009—a record performance in the multiparty dispensation. Bingu ditched UDF and came up with messages that endeared him to the majority who had denied the vote in 2004 polls. He nurtured that support by delivering on food security and economic development during his first term.
Contrast that with the current scenario when the economy has tanked, up to 8 million people are food insecure, corruption is rampant, inflation and interest rates are ceiling high and provision of public goods and services is on the decline while government’s demand for tax and non-tax revenue are sky high and keep on rising.
The lesson from Trump’s victory for those on government side should simply be that the electorate should never be taken for granted. Failure to deliver can make even the so-called stronghold turn into quick sand.
