Tension ahead of DPP, MCP rallies in the North

Tension is mounting ahead of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and forme r governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) mega rallies to be held 20 kilometres (km) apart in the Northern Region tomorrow.

MCP, a key partner in the governing Tonse Alliance, will hold its rally at Ekwendeni to be addressed by Speaker of Parliament and the party ’s first deputy president Cather ine Gotani Hara and other leaders while DPP leader and former president Peter Mutharika will be at Katoto Ground in Mzuzu City.

Briefing journalists in Mzuzu yesterday, DPP vice-president (North) Jappie Mhango warned against provocation from MCP since the rallies will be 20km apart.

He said by holding a rally this weekend, MCP was simply prompting violence which the DPP detests.

Said Mhango : “Recently, Hara held a rally in Rumphi which is my home base, but I did not hold a counter rally. That is why we are saying MCP should have respected APM to hold a rally this week.

“They must note that DPP supporters will be passing through Ekwendeni when going to [and from] Mzuzu. We hope there will be no violence.”

On his part, DPP Northern Region governor Christopher Mzomera Ngwira alleged that MCP was distributing party regalia to disrupt the DPP meeting.

“We just want to warn them that we don’t like any provocation. Rallies must be peaceful,” he said.

DPP, through secretary general Peter Mukhito, also wrote a letter to MCP secretary general Richard Chimwendo Banda expressing its displeasure with

 conduct ahead of their rally in Mzuzu. the governing party ’s

Reads the letter: “This rally is crucial for our members, particularly those coming from Chitipa , Karonga , Rumphi and Mzimba North, many of whom will be travelling through Ekwendeni to attend.

“It has come to our attention, with some concern, that the MCP has also scheduled a rally at Ekwendeni Trading Centre in Mzimba on the same day.

“Given the proximity of Ekwendeni to Mzuzu and its strategic importance, this coinciding event may cause unnecessary tension between our parties , as well as logistical challenges for our respective  supporters.”

But in an interview yesterday, Chimwendo Banda, who is also Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, wondered why the DPP was bringing in the issue of violence when the law states that parties can hold rallies five kilometres apart.

He said: “If APM is conducting a rally in the North then should all other parties not hold a rally in the North?

“We are not going to Mzuzu to confront anyone. We are going to Mzuzu to enjoy our rally. Let them also enjoy their rally.”

Political parties in the country have started garnering support ahead of the September 16 2025 General Elections through elective meetings and rallies.