As Malawi approaches the September 16 General Election, the political atmosphere is charged with anticipation and anxiety.
The governing Malawi Congress Party (MCP), led by President Lazarus Chakwera, has encountered significant challenges, particularly following the disintegration of the Tonse Alliance that propelled it back to power after nearly three decades in the cold benches of the opposition.
Additionally, the prevailing economic hardships, including skyrocketing inflation, hunger and a critical shortage of foreign exchange, have amplified the stakes for all political players.
As various political parties grapple with their legacies, credibility and voter expectations, they all face existential threats that could redefine Malawi’s political landscape for years to come.
The landscape is particularly complex for the MCP, the country’s longest-serving political bloc which had initially entered into a coalition with nine smaller parties like the late vice-president Saulos Chilima’s UTM Party and former president Joyce Banda’s People’s Party (PP).
The Tonse Alliance aimed to consolidate power against the backdrop of widespread discontent with the previous administration led by Peter Mutharika and his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
However, Chilima’s tragic death in a plane crash that killed nine people in the Viphya Plantation on June 10 last year shattered this alliance, resulting in loss of leadership and political cohesion among opposition factions.
The vacuum created in the opposition bloc has not only weakened the MCP, but also left it vulnerable to renewed critiques of its governance, especially concerning its ability to stabilize the economy.
High inflation rates, soaring prices of basic goods and significant forex challenges have marred the government’s popularity, with recurring mass protests against the worsening hardship faced by the business community and ordinary Malawians.
Meanwhile, more than 5.7 million Malawians require urgent food aid until the next harvest next month, according to the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee.
As discontent mounts, MCP now faces the daunting task of rebuilding its battered image as the messiah who promised to take the Malawians to Canaan, but now stands accused of taking the nation to what the Catholic Bishops called Bagamoyo—a slave trade harbour associated with doom and gloom.
The party is also facing an uphill task to regain public trust while under the scrutiny of an increasingly skeptical electorate.
Having lost power in June 2020 when Chakwera became Africa’s first opposition leader to defeat a sitting president in a court-ordered election, DPP represents a paradox in Malawi’s political arena.
Although the main opposition party is plagued by allegations of corruption, nepotism and violence linked to its previous tenure, it remains a significant force in Malawian politics.
The party’s historical association with widespread corruption, cronyism and financial mismanagement has become a double-edged sword.
While it alienates some voters, it still retains a loyal base that views past controversies through a different lens. DPP could exploit the current administration’s inefficiencies, positioning itself as a viable alternative for voters dissatisfied with rising inflation and economic instability.
However, these same historical burdens could prove fatal to its candidate—with Mutharika mounting a comeback campaign after being re-elected the party’s leader last year—if the electorate prioritises clean governance and accountability over familiarity with old guard politics.
Banda’s PP is another key player that is wrestling with an existential crisis. The PP’s involvement in the infamous Cashgate—a corruption scandal in which public servants and politicians connived with their business cronies to loot billions from the State coffers—severely tainted its reputation, leaving lingering doubts about its commitment to good governance and transparency.
In a recent interview, Banda prided herself to have presented herself and other prominent figures for public scrutiny and court trial.
As the party attempts to re-establish itself in the public eye, it faces the monumental challenge of distancing itself from its past while addressing contemporary issues.
The electorate’s memory of the Cashgate scandal serves as a constant reminder of the risks of corruption, threatening to undermine Banda’s efforts to reconnect with voters. The party’s relevance in the upcoming elections hinges on its ability to present a clear and compelling narrative that emphasises reform and accountability as voters are increasingly inclined to demand political integrity.
Similar issues plague Atupele Muluzi of the United Democratic Front (UDF), which has been criticised for its controversial decision to privatise State enterprises.
This choice has alienated a significant segment of the population that views the selling off of state assets as a betrayal of national interests. With increasing calls for economic equity and social justice reverberating across the political spectrum, the UDF’s historical policy decisions place it at further risk of marginalisation in a rapidly evolving electoral landscape.
The party must find effective ways to communicate its vision and reconnect with voters if it hopes to regain political traction in this fraught environment.
Also in the mix is Enock Chihana and his Alliance for Democracy (Aford), which once won all constituencies in the sparsely populated Northern Region, but now has only two representatives in the National Assembly.
Aford, founded by its famous multiparty champion Chakufwa Chihana, faces its existential challenges as its allure shrinks beyond the North.
While Aford’s regional base may provide a sense of stability, its inability to congeal a national identity or broaden its appeal leaves it vulnerable to becoming politically irrelevant.
In an election where greater national cohesion and cross-regional alliances may be paramount to ensure the presidential candidate wins over half of the valid votes, Aford must contend with its limitations to avoid being left behind in the political evolution of Malawi.
In light of these challenges, the existential threats faced by Malawi’s political parties are underscored by systemic issues of governance, historical missteps and changing voter expectations.
As the nation gears up for the tripartite elections in few months, these parties must confront their past while striving to adapt to the new realities of the Malawian electorate.
The stakes are high; traditional bases of support could dissipate if voters are not convinced of the parties’ willingness to pursue accountability, transparency, and effective governance.
In conclusion, Malawi’s political parties stand at a critical crossroads. The interplay between historical legacies, economic crises, and shifting voter sentiment creates a complex landscape fraught with existential threats for the upcoming elections.
The ability of each party to navigate these challenges, redefine their identities and engage meaningfully with citizens will determine not just their electoral fate, but also the broader trajectory of Malawi’s democracy in the years to follow. With the backdrop of increasing public dissatisfaction, the urgency for reform and a new political discourse has never been bigger.
