‘DPP contributing to Tonse Alliance failure’
Many people have described the Tonse Alliance administration as a bit let down for, among other things, failing to fulfil campaign promises and lack of strategies to ending corruption. But Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) chairperson GIFT TRAPENCE believes the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is equally to blame for the current administration’s failures. He explains to EDWIN NYIRONGO.
Q
. How is DPP helping Tonse Alliance to fail?
A
. The role of the opposition is to provide checks and balances on governance issues. This role can effectively be provided if there is a strong opposition party. The current scenario is that we have a weak opposition party [DPP] that is also entrenched in leadership wrangles. This has provided a soft spot for the Tonse Alliance administration to do business as usual. The failure by Tonse Alliance is because we have a weak opposition that has, also, lost its direction.
Q
. What should the DPP do to sort out its problems?
A
. It should sort out its leadership wrangle. It should allow democracy to work within the party. The current leadership and other leaders within the party should be sober enough to allow the party structures to choose a leader they want to lead the party. Let the members follow the party constitution and policies in choosing whoever should lead the party. The infighting will just weaken it further, which is also bad for our democracy.
Q
. Current party leaders say they will only relinquish their positions at the convention. What is your take on that one?
A
. Going for the convention or not is not a problem. What is more important is to allow the party to adhere to its constitution and their own policies, and allow members to choose leaders they want. As already said, all leaders should allow democracy to work in the party. If leaders are failing to manage affairs of their party, how can Malawians entrust them to manage affairs of the country? Such selfish leaders should not be given an opportunity to govern the country. They will take Malawians to nowhere.
Q
. Where do you think is the source of such political wrangles, which are not unique to DPP?
A
Leadership wrangles have been caused by outgoing political party leaders who would want to hand-pick leaders. In this case, Peter Mutharika is the problem, but can also be the solution. He should unite the party and allow aspiring candidates to have an equal platform to compete. This will unite the party and make it strong. My message to Professor Mutharika is that he should be a statesman enough to allow democracy to work in the party.
Q
. How will the infighting impact on DPP’s 2025 election bid?
A
. The infighting will greatly affect the party’s preparations for the elections. They will not focus on rebuilding the party. The party needs more rebranding to convince Malawians why they should be voted back into government. This can only happen if it is united.
Q
. Some quarters believe the divisions in the party have been caused by some party leaders who have preferred candidates?
A
. This is very true. The divisions are coming because some leaders have their own preferred candidates. This is not only the issue. Some candidates also think they own the party more than others. The only solution is for all the aspirants, including the current leadership, to sober up and allow democracy to work within the party.
Q
. What do you make of DPP’s appointment of some people into positions ahead of the party’s convention?
A
. The move is very suspicious, not only to many people, but to a faction within the party. The party is preparing to go to the convention to elect new leadership; it was, therefore, unusual to just appoint people who will be voting at the convention. That cannot be fair competition.
Q
Many parties have strongholds where they are assured of votes. Do you see that belief in DPP?
A
. One of the reasons of the DPP wrangles is because of base politics. Many believe that because it has strong support in the Southern Region, it can easily win the general elections. It is this assurance that is causing the fight because the party believes that whoever leads it will become president of Malawi. But this should not be trusted because people of yesterday are not of today. Many Malawians are beginning to realise that the only way to develop the country is by voting right people into leadership positions, not who comes from where.
Q
. Do you see DPP embracing new blood?
A
. New blood is needed for new ideas. Many Malawians are youths who are supposed to take leadership positions and bring new ideas. The youths should be leaders of today and not tomorrow, as such, they need to come in and change things. It is not easy to know whether this will happen in DPP, but if the party wants change, then new blood should come in. The calibre of current leaders is not convincing. n
