Chakwera justifies on defying Covid rules in Tanzania: Puts back mask on return to Malawi
President Lazarus Chakwera on Thursday returned from Tanzania for an official visit but quickly defended himself from accusations that that he was putting lives of Malawians at risk for defying Coronavirus (Covid-19) guidelines when he removed his face masks during the tour to the neighbouring country.
Throughout his two-days tour, Chakwera did not put on his mask but immediately had it when he landed in Malawi soil.
Chakwera told journalists on arrival at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) in Lilongwe, that he had to balance Malawi’s tradition and diplomacy as Tanzania’a narrative is that there is no Covid-19 in that country.
Tanzania’s President John Magufuli declared the country “coronavirus-free” thanks to prayers by citizens and Tanzanians do not wear face masks and gloves.
Chakwera said: “In terms of what Tanzania has experienced, the tradition is not to wear masks because they believe the pandemic is over so it is a question of trying to balance what our tradition is and what our diplomatic preference will be in order to establish a true relationship based on trust.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) expressed concern over Tanzania’s strategy on Covid-19.
Magufuli has repeatedly said the health crisis has been exaggerated and urged people to attend services in churches and mosques, saying that prayers “can vanquish” the virus.
The Tanzanian President has also ridiculed the strict measures neighbouring countries have imposed to fight the pandemic.
But Chakwera said he remains committed to fight against the virus pandemic, saying all members of the Malawi delegation had medical certificates as evidence that they were Covid-19 free.
University of Malawi’s Chancellor College political science and public administration lecturer Professor Happy Kayuni said indeed Chakwera found himself in a “delicate situation.”
Kayuni said the “safest route” would have been for Chakwera to convince Magufuli that he needed to wear a mask because he was coming from a country which has Covid-19 hence he did not want to pose a threat to him.
Wearing a mask isn’t a political statement. It’s a scientific recommendation.
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Is chakwera as stupid as magaluf. Doesnt they know that a mask protect the people around the wears from getting infected by a positive wearer..does the virus know the boundaries of tanzania for it to avoid tanzania..well neither the Two presidents know the boundaries
Little by little the facade that is Chakwera is being unveiled for all to see. The man is a poser and you don’t need to look far for the signs. His fake accent is telling, the man wants to play a role, act the part but he is an empty tin. A man in borrowed robes. It shall end in tears.
Far better than APM.
Has COVID become potent because Chakwera is now the president. When COVID 19 was at its pick Chakwera and Chilima and all other politicians campaigned without masks, no social distance rules were followed etc. So what has changed now? Of course what he did in TZ was a sign of weakness and there is no justification for that. COVID 19 is not a ” political or diplomatic infection”
So what 🇲🇼
That’s weak Mr President. Project strength always.
Mukapita Ku dziko koti amayenda ndi shaft pamtunda nanunso yanu mukatulutsa for the sake of diplomacy?
Ndekuti chani? Musamapepele online. Kulemba mbola
When you are in Rome do like them, I salute our President that was excellent
if your friend is an idiot, do you follow his deeds, though you go to his house.
This man is a coward. It’s obvious he went there to beg not negotiate. And for sure such a coward could not the lake issue foward
Peer pressure! Did he also give in to half lake Malawi being part of Tanzania? So if in Rome they swap wives, Chakwera’s diplomacy would require him to swap wives with Magufuli! What proof did Magufuli give him? If Magufuli has a solution for the ‘pandemic’, by all means, offer it to the World or as it sounds, the Tanzanians’ prayers to get rid of covid-19 were answered; why not pray against Covid-19 for the rest of the world?
This man is no leader
Who do leaders do??
Covid covid chani. Kungakhalira kuzivindikira ku mphuno, za ziiiii. A china Mangufuli anafa without dzi ma mask zanuzo?
Mbuli iyi koma
And you go to visit a country with that kind of leadership expecting to learn from it? That says a lot about you as a leader too. Covid 19 is real Africa is just lucky the numbers are low and every wise leader would do everything to keep the numbers low. Not through prayer but science backed action. Malawi ali mmavuto ndithu.
Imwani panado
Museveni went to TZ a few weeks ago and he wore a mask while with Magufuli. That’s what leaders do. They stick to their beliefs.
Bwana OChakwera that was a sign of weakness wearing a mask is not a political statement it’s a recommendation from the WHO and scientist ,Tanzania is an epicenter of Covid -19 in this region but Mangufuli hides the truth from the international community It has been reported that Tanzania truck drivers have been found covid-19 positive across borders in neighbouring countries despite carrying a covid free certificate issued in Tanzania. When Museveni was in Tanzania he wore a Mask showing that he was a strong leader this will make Mangufuli belittle Malawians , Trump infected his colleagues because of not wearing masks the best thing for the president and his delegation is to self quarantine for 14 days .no double standards Kamuzu wouldn’t have succumbed to this he was a strong leader and when Tanzania tried to claim the lake he gave them a stern warning and they never tried again to claim part of the lake , Kamuzu’s famous statement about Lake Malawi was “ You never negotiate something which belongs to you “
So you bloody fell for that? You are a president for f@ck sake! Lost for words.
Hi fellow Malawians,
Don’t be worried! Tanzania has no any case of Covid-19. Your President is safe.
Long live a true relationship between Malawi and Tanzania.
Kupusa. Diseases know no tradition nor diplomacy, it’s about science. Zoona mungavule condom to protect traditions and diplomacy, Corona amadziwa kuti uyu ndi Tanzania uyu ndi malawi, iye amangoyenda otsaona malire. Nzanu Museveni anali konko anavala mask inu munavula, it just shows that you are a man without principles and you do things to please People. Trying to buy ma likes
sichina koma poti dpp inaluza
So the crazy tradition in Tanzania is more important than the the lives of of Malawians and the president himself. This is the simalar to walking naked just because you have visited a mad man’s house and he has requested you to do so. If this not wearing a mask was mandatory the president should have just cancelled the trip all together. The president has demonstrated that he is irresponsible.
Worried of petty issues a Malawi,you come to my house you follow the rules,let’s about development and moving ahead,not these petty issues of covid,we have strong immune system in Africa,trip was cut short because of activists protesting instead deals could have been signed for progress to begin,human rights have to be balanced
Then he shouldn’t have gone to TZ. It cements the statements that were made by is allies in the alliance during the campaign that there is no covid in Malawi. His wearing of a masks is therefore cosmetic or sheer hypocrisy.
The best would have been to have a meeting virtually. Malawi has participated in UNGA through this platform including Tanzania itself. So, why not do the same with their meeting? On another note has reform started at MBC? Why do they keep on repeating broadcasting departures and arrivals of a Head of State. What’s the significance of such rebroadcasts when they have been covered in their news programmes including privately owned media outlets. Please MBC, don’t waste tax payers money in this manner.We are in anew era and so we expect MBC to do business differently.
Coronavirus is not a big threat in our climate. We have not been given enough information by the rich countries who just want to impose stupid thing on us. Covid-19 attacks age and those will underlying issues.
Magufuli – Chakwera. One of them is right. ]…reminds me of the adage: a visitor does not choose![…..¿ or simply put…’……..has no choice¿¡¿
That is true Mnyumba mwa Mwini sawotchera Mbewa
phukusi lamoyo samakusungira ndi wina
Both are complete idiots. COVID is real. Although Magufuli seems to be a corrupt-free, results-oriented dude, he has some very idiotic traits. Exhibit no. 1 is this Covid issue. Then you hear he’s a TB Joshua follower, etc. How can an intelligent person follow TB, and believe there is no COVID in Tanzania??
Acts of faith prof