Public Affairs Committee (PAC) has cautioned political parties to stick to peace and issue-based campaign as they garner votes ahead of the September 16 2025 General Election.
PAC spokesperson Gilford Matonga was reacting to a growing rift between the two opposition parties—the United Democratic Front (UDF) and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
In an interview on Wednesday, Matonga said it is pathetic for leaders to be involved in name-calling, stressing that out there, people are looking forward to hearing party manifestos, not insults.
He indicated that PAC has started face-to-face dialogue with aspiring presidential candidates, and so far they have met DPP president Peter Mutharika and incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera, who is also the Malawi Congress Party torchbearer.
“People are looking for issue-based campaign and what politicians have for Malawians in terms of development. What is happening now is regrettable. It should not be encouraged among citizens, let alone, politicians vying for public office.
“We condemn this and ask politicians to desist from this. As PAC, we are calling for peace, unity and coexistence in democratisation,” he said.
In a statement dated June 18 2025 UDF publicity secretary Dyson Jangiya said DPP must withdraw remarks made against former State president Bakili Muluzi, describing the remarks as irresponsible, disrespectful and unacceptable.
This follows a retaliatory statement made this week by DPP organising secretary Sameer Suleman, who hit on Bakili’s medical condition, alluding that there is a former leader who has an artificial disc on their back and uses a walking stick.
But Jangiya defended as not derogatory but legitimate and honest, jabs thrown by UDF president Atupele Muluzi to Mutharika, claiming he is old and should rest.
He said: “It is a known fact that Bakili Muluzi is retired from active politics, bringing his innocent name in active politics in such disrespectful manner undermines the principles of political respectful discourse.”
“We demand an unequivocal apology from the DPP to Bakili Muluzi, and to UDF. We call on all stakeholders to maintain a respectful tone in political discourse, promoting a positive and constructive environment for debate.
In a separate interview on Thursday, Suleman said he withdrew his statement towards Bakili a few minutes after making it, saying he failed to control his anger and moving forward, he will focus his attention on Atupele.
However, Suleman said he expects Atupele to withdraw his remarks towards Mutharika, saying the UDF president should be the first to know that the Malawi Constitution places no age limit in politics.
“APM is our father, the same way Bakili is their [UDF] father. If you insult my father, do you expect me to keep quiet? But I apologise for attacking Atcheya [Bakili].
“I was expecting that after I withdrew my statement, Atupele would do the same. There is no age limit in Malawi politics. And, we have a law in the country that protects the elderly,” he said.
Reacting to the development, political analyst George Chaima described Suleman’s attack on Bakili as an attack on the nation, saying his attitude is childish, impudent and deplorable.
However, he observed that Atupele’s speech which sparked the fight was misplaced although it had the element of “truth” regarding Mutharika’s “advanced age”.
“Atupele is neither Mutharika nor DPP’s spokesperson, hence the misalignment in message delivery. And Suleman should learn to tame his tongue. The best is for the two is to humble themselves and apologise,” he said.
Political Science Association spokesperson Mabvuto Bamusi said the altercations between DPP and UDF reflect the high stakes associated with the coming elections.
He said: “The country should anticipate a volatile political environment characterised with violent campaigns and power tussling. The deepening rift also diminishes chances of an electoral alliance.”
Electoral and identity politics expert Ernest Thindwa said the unfriendly verbal exchanges between the two parties is unfortunate, but expected.
He said: “Unfortunate because the search for votes has translated into undesirable attacks on people’s physical conditions.”
