Consumers Association of Malawi (Cama) has urged political leaders to channel their energies towards addressing worsening poverty and economic hardships facing Malawians instead of dwelling on intra-party bickering.
The Cama appeal comes against a background of reported divisions between President Peter Mutharika and First Vice-President Jane Ansah in the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as well as succession disputes in the opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP), where some members are pushing for an early convention to replace leader Lazarus Chakwera.
In a statement issued on Friday, Cama executive director John Kapito said it was unfortunate that politicians were busy with power struggles while citizens grapple with punitive taxes, high unemployment, rising cost of living and limited public services.
“Malawians have gained nothing from such political conflicts and internal power fights,” he said, warning that continued squabbles risk deepening poverty and deterring foreign investment.
Kapito noted that similar conflicts have plagued successive administrations, with ordinary citizens bearing the economic burden while leaders prioritise internal disputes.
He called for an immediate shift from party politics to people’s welfare, including a review of punitive taxes and reduced government waste.
Kapito also wondered why leaders continue repeating the same mistakes that have previously contributed to worsening poverty while Malawians’ ultimate goal has been to end poverty and improve their livelihoods.
The Malawi Government revised some taxes in the present fiscal year which, according to Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralisation Joseph Mwanamvekha, seek to cushion low-income earners and rebuild the economy.
The tax measures include 17.5 percent value added tax from the previous 16.5 percent and pay as you earn taxing high income earners up to 40 percent.
Platform for Mindset Change interim chairperson Ollen Mwalubunju, in an interview on Friday, agreed with Kapito, saying opportunistic politicians are prioritising personal enrichment and positions over serving Malawians.
He said that political parties must strive to focus on delivering manifesto promises after elections, rather than becoming consumed by internal conflicts and personality disputes.
“The country’s worsening poverty, economic hardships and security challenges require leaders’ urgent attention and not political squabbles,” said Mwalubunju.
On Tuesday, the DPP warned its membership of internal divisions during a meeting the party’s Southern Region leadership held with district and constituency leaders.
DPP secretary general Peter Mukhito said the party would act against individuals causing divisions in the party, and working with other political parties to cause internal divisions.
On the other hand, an MCP faction referring to itself as veterans of the party, moved to seal offices of the secretary general Richard Chimwendo as a show of protest against the party’s leadership.
But Chimwendo Banda allayed any troubling issues in the opposition party that was booted out of power during the September 16 2025 General Election.
