Munthali quits as Chakwera adviser, MCP role
Reverend Maurice Munthali has resigned from his roles as President Lazarus Chakwera’s adviser and spokesperson for Malawi Congress Party (MCP) citing the Tonse Alliance’s failure to deliver on its campaign promises.
In two separate resignation letters, he also said persistent allegations of corruption in government and other scandals were other contributing factors.
Munthali, who was the President’s special adviser on peace, reconciliation and national unity, said: “I have resolved at a personal level that the prevailing circumstances do not evenly sit with my calling as a man of faith and benign intentions I shared with the people in accepting to take up the advisory role.”
In another letter also dated March 1 2023 to MCP secretary general Eisenhower Mkaka, the former CCAP Synod of Livingstonia general secretary also said government was not fulfilling the promises made to Malawians.
He said: “As a lead governing party in the Tonse Alliance government, we [MCP] have not hitherto provided the type of the leadership and direction that would meet the hopes of all Malawians for a better life. Yet I am supposed to safeguard the image and reputation of the party and President.”
In a brief interview last evening, Munthali, known for his prayer at a rally Chakwera addressed at Phwezi in Rumphi in December 2017 said the former administration was “in an accident” said he would not talk much.
“I can only confirm that I have resigned,” he said.
Reacting to his resignation, University of Malawi professor of political and administrative studies Mustafa Hussein said this should act as a wake-up call for MCP and government at large that Malawians are suffering.
He said: “For a man of his calibre to resign, it means he has seen that something is not working. So, it is a sign for the party to do more and better to address the problems that are being cited like corruption, and many unfulfilled promises.
“They need to do more and convince people that things are working.
There is need for the party and government to do more.”
Political and human rights pundit George Phiri said the reasons mentioned by Munthali contradict what the government machinery has been preaching that things were improving and there was hope for Malawians.
During the previous MCOP convention, Munthali contested on the position of secretary general but lost to Mkaka before he was roped in as publicity secretary.
He also contested in the 2019 parliamentary race in Rumphi West under MCP ticket but lost to independent candidate Yona Mkandawire.
Before joining MCP in December 2017, Munthali had a short stint with the Alliance for Democracy after retiring as a minister.
