Malawi VP Michael Usi Warns Citizens Against Deceptive Politicians Ahead of 2025 Elections
Vice President Calls for Vigilance Against Opportunistic Leadership
Malawi’s Vice President Michael Usi has issued a stark warning to citizens about politicians suddenly presenting themselves as “angels of change” despite past failures in governance. Speaking at Kaviwale Sports Ground in Mzuzu, Usi cautioned that the country has entered a critical period of political image-building ahead of the 2025 elections.
Funeral Opportunism and Political Theater
The Vice President specifically criticized what he termed “funeral opportunism” – where politicians actively seek out grieving families to stage public displays of support. “Some are searching for funerals to attend just to be seen ‘helping,'” Usi stated, emphasizing that such behavior exploits human suffering for political gain.
He challenged Malawians to question where these leaders were during critical moments of need: “When hospitals lacked medicines, when farmers needed inputs, and when young people cried out for jobs – where were they?”
Civil Service Sabotage and Governance Challenges
Turning his attention to governance structures, Usi accused some public servants of deliberately underperforming to create the impression of administrative failure. “Public office is a trust, not a bargaining chip,” he declared, describing such conduct as sabotage against national progress.
The Vice President highlighted the paradox of Malawi producing numerous educated graduates annually while unemployment remains persistently high. He attributed this to systemic issues including:
- Inefficient public systems
- Favoritism in hiring practices
- Corruption draining public resources
Call for Merit-Based Governance
Usi emphasized the need for comprehensive reform, stating: “Jobs should go to those who qualify, not just to relatives and friends.” He called for:
- Transparent hiring processes
- Stronger accountability mechanisms
- Merit-based recruitment in public sector
The Vice President linked corruption directly to unemployment, noting that every misused kwacha reduces the government’s capacity to create essential jobs in education, healthcare, and agriculture.
Accountability as Shared Responsibility
Usi framed political accountability as a two-way street, urging citizens to:
- Track campaign promises against actual delivery
- Document political commitments
- Demand measurable results rather than symbolic gestures
He specifically encouraged civil society organizations, churches, and youth groups to maintain records of political promises for future accountability.
2025 Elections and National Reflection
With political alignments shifting ahead of the 2025 polls, Usi’s remarks come at a critical juncture for Malawi’s democracy. His warning touches on long-standing frustrations about:
- Performative politics
- Weak service delivery
- Cycles of unfulfilled promises
By highlighting issues ranging from funeral opportunism to civil service sabotage, the Vice President has positioned governance reform as both a moral imperative and practical necessity for national development.
As Malawians prepare to make crucial leadership decisions, Usi’s message serves as a reminder that genuine leadership is demonstrated through consistent service and accountability – not through carefully staged public relations maneuvers.
Source: Malawi24