As 2024 comes to an end, the country stands at a critical juncture, grappling with escalating political violence and major shifts within the major political parties.
The year was marked by events that not only reshaped the political landscape but also raised serious concerns about the future of democracy in the country.
From violent clashes to controversial party conventions, the political scene has been anything but unstable.
Malawians also witnessed a rise in politically-induced violence, particularly in the lead-up to key political events.
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) reported several attacks on its members, including an incident in Lilongwe where a group of young men set up roadblocks and assaulted a DPP member of Parliament.
In November, an unidentified group of masked men wielding pangas disrupted a peaceful demonstration organised by the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiative.
The incidents exemplify the growing trend of politically-motivated violence that has plagued the country.
Irked by the trend, various concerned leaders condemned the acts as the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) was fingered for orchestrating the violence.
UTM Party president Dalitso Kabambe blamed the police for their unprofessional conduct, further accusing them of turning a blind eye while armed men terrorised demonstrators.
He said: “It is very sad because Malawians in 1992 to 1994 said no to dictatorship and oppression. Malawians under Dr Kamuzu Banda suffered, and now this administration wants to take us back to those dark days of oppression, but Malawi is not ready for such oppression under MCP.”
President Lazarus Chakwera, who is also MCP leader, said he was against the use of youths as tools for political violence, urging all political leaders to promote peace and unity.
However, the reality on the ground suggests that more needs to be done to address the root causes of political violence.
Some commentators attributed the escalation to heightened political rhetoric and lack of accountability for perpetrators.
Concerned with the manner of the violence to stop protests, the United Kingdom (UK) envoy called for dialogue over governance challenges facing the nation.
British High Commissioner Fiona Ritchie stressed that the right to freedom of assembly is enshrined in Malawi’s Constitution and protected under international human rights law.
She urged all Malawians to exercise this right responsibly and peacefully, rejecting violence in all its forms.
“As a long-standing partner of Malawi, the UK encourages dialogue as the foundation for addressing differences and building a stable and democratic society,” said Ritchie.
Political violence aside, the year also saw major activity within the country’s major political parties as they held their conventions in preparation for the September 16 2025 General Election.
DPP made headlines by inviting the Alliance for Democracy (Aford), United Democratic Front (UDF), and United Transformation Movement (UTM) to its convention.
The move was seen as a strategic attempt to forge alliances and address the challenge of the 50+1 voting threshold required for a presidential win.
The presence of the opposition parties at the DPP convention marked a remarkable shift in the political landscape.
Political analysts viewed this as a tactical approach by the DPP to solidify alliances that could prove critical in the upcoming elections.
The discussions and negotiations at the convention are expected to influence the power dynamics and electoral strategies leading up to the 2025 elections.
MCP also held its convention, but it was overshadowed by controversy.
Reports emerged of MCP candidates distributing large sums of money to delegates ahead of the indaba, raising serious questions about the source of the funds and calls for the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to investigate were made.
Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Simplex Chithyola-Banda and Minister of Homeland Security Ken Zikhale Ng’oma were particularly scrutinised for dishing out cash.
The two reportedly handed out K76.5 million to North-South Region delegates in Mzuzu.
On July 5, Chithyola-Banda allegedly distributed K52.5 million, or K500 000 to each of the 105 delegates he met at Demera Hotel in Lilongwe.
The Malawi Law Society (MLS) urged the Registrar of Political Parties to take action against candidates giving cash handouts ahead of the MCP elective convention.
MLS president Patrick Mpaka warned that Sections 2 and 41, as read with Section 44 of the Political Parties Act, criminalise handouts by any candidate or political party contesting or intending to contest in an election.
The controversy sparked a broader debate about the role of money in politics and the need for stricter regulations to prevent corruption and ensure fair competition.
As the country prepares for the 2025 elections, the challenges of political violence and corruption remain significant.
However, there are also opportunities for positive change.
Civil society organisations and human rights groups continue to advocate for peaceful dialogue and cooperation among political leaders.
Human Rights Defenders Coalition chairperson Gift Trapence said the upcoming elections present an opportunity for the country to demonstrate its commitment to democratic principles and the rule of law.
“By addressing the root causes of political violence and ensuring transparency in the electoral process, the country can move towards a more stable and inclusive political future,” he said.
