Alliance for Democracy (Aford) president Enoch Chihana has said the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is honouring the agreement under the Blue Alliance inked prior to the September 16 2025 General Election.
Speaking in Lilongwe on Saturday night after an Aford national executive committee (NEC) meeting which also reviewed the party’s performance in the election, he said he will soon make the pact available to the party’s NEC members.
Chihana, who is the country’s Second Vice-President, said the agreement is a public document and primarily provided for Aford’s support for President Peter Mutharika’s presidential bid.
“It’s not necessarily under wraps because it’s a public document. Very soon, I think, every member of the executive will have the document,” he said.
Chihana said the pact also provided for his appointment as Second Vice-President and the sharing of government positions between the two parties based on their electoral performance. However, Mutharika’s Cabinet does not have an Aford representative other than Chihana himself.
He described the alliance as “excellent” and “super”, saying the two parties were maintaining a cordial relationship and shared a common vision for the country.
| Courtesy of Aford
In an interview yesterday, political scientist Chimwemwe Tsitsi said the reported satisfaction between Aford and the DPP was noteworthy against the backdrop of previous political alliances in which partners accused each other of failing to honour agreements.
He said the public may find the contents less consequential than the details of the 2020 Tonse Alliance agreement between Malawi Congress Party president Lazarus Chakwera and former UTM Party leader Saulos Chilima, now deceased, which included an understanding over presidential candidacy.
Tsitsi said the disclosure would nevertheless be useful in establishing whether the two parties were fully implementing their agreement.
“Making the Blue Alliance agreement public would strengthen democratic accountability by allowing citizens to understand the commitments made by the two parties,” he said.
Political Science Association spokesperson Mavuto Bamusi said satisfaction between the two parties over the alliance should ultimately translate into tangible benefits for Malawians.
While welcoming Aford’s assessment of the partnership, he said the benefits of the agreement should not be confined to the parties or individuals receiving political appointments.
Beyond reviewing its electoral performance, the Aford NEC resolved to restructure the party, amend some provisions of its constitution and fill vacant leadership positions.
During the meeting, Grace Chupa was appointed vice-president responsible for administration while Bishop Malani Mtonga is secretary general and Chimwemwe Lamba deputy secretary general.
Ruth Chenda Mkandawire was appointed deputy national organising secretary and Mary Chiwaya deputy national publicity secretary. Carlen Mkandawire is deputy national director for student affairs, while Rachel Botha is deputy national director of women. Regina Chilomoni, Catherine Mwafulirwa and Carlo Farao have also been appointed NEC members.
The Blue Alliance was formed ahead of the 2025 General Election, bringing Aford into partnership with the DPP in support of Mutharika’s presidential bid.
