Lilongwe, Malawi – During a formal state dinner hosted by Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera, the visiting President of Botswana, Duma Boko, delivered a powerful message about Malawi’s potential and the urgent need for improved governance.
In his keynote address, President Boko praised Malawi as a nation blessed with natural resources, talent, and resilience. “Malawi is a country that has everything it needs to succeed,” he stated. “But it is only lacking in good leadership and strategic planning.”
The Botswana leader did not shy away from making pointed remarks about the current political landscape. He criticized some senior members of the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) for their dismissive stance on calls for change. “When people demand change, do not suppress them,” Boko said. “They are the ones living through the hardships — they see the problems firsthand.”
His speech also included a stern warning to Malawi’s key democratic institutions. Boko urged the country’s security forces, electoral commission, and political figures to uphold neutrality and fairness in their work. “Do not allow partisanship to compromise your duties. Serving the people means protecting the integrity of your office — not a political party or an individual,” he emphasized.
President Boko’s remarks were met with a mix of applause and quiet reflection from the audience, which included government officials, diplomats, and party members. While President Chakwera did not respond directly to the comments, sources close to the State House said the speech was received in the spirit of constructive dialogue and regional solidarity.
The dinner marked a high point in Boko’s diplomatic visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between Botswana and Malawi. But more than just a ceremonial occasion, it became a moment of candid truth — a call for Malawi to look inward and strive toward the leadership its people deserve.
