Tonse alliance intact—MCP

Lead partner in the Tonse Alliance, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), has dismissed reports that divisions are rocking in the nine-party grouping that ousted the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) from power in the June 23 2020 court-sanctioned Fresh Presidential Election.

Reacting to Alliance partners concerns, MCP publicity secretary Ezekiel Ching’oma said members from the alliance still participate in the Executive arm of government where they come up with policies.

Our sister paper Nation on Sunday yesterday quoted People’s Party (PP), one of the alliance partners, as having accused MCP of failing to fulfil agreements preceding the 2019 Tripartite Elections and 2020 Fresh Presidential Election.  

According to the source, PP demanded a commitment to their stipulations, stating that failure to do so would result in cessation of ties.

Another MCP partner, UTM Party, echoed PP’s sentiments that MCP is handling everything on its own.

But Ching’oma said some members from the alliance partners are speaking out because their personal wishes are not being fulfilled.

On the contentious issue of who leads the Alliance in the 2025 polls, Ching’oma said the two main partners are yet to go to convention and none of them knows who will lead their respective parties come the 2025 Presidential elections.

“As for the MCP, you might have heard that almost all delegates want Chakwera to continue being president of the party come 2024 convention.

“We wouldn’t know what is cooking within UTM [Party]. So, let’s cross the bridge when we get there” he said.

But in an interview, UTM spokesperson Felix Njawala said Tonse Alliance partners have gone for over a year without meeting and MCP has been handling everything on its own.

He said for instance, the last meeting between MCP and UTM Party, whose leader is Vice-President Saulos Chilima, was on July 7 2022.

He said: “The absence of any meetings should be cause for concern as it indicates that the issues raised are not being addressed.

“Malawians must be worried, and I am not surprised by the current state of affairs in the alliance. MCP seems to be handling everything on its own, which hinders the implementation of UTM’s manifesto.”

According to Njawala, the best way to address the issues affecting the Tonse Alliance is by adhering to the agreement between MCP and UTM Party.

“The agreement was aimed at creating a conducive environment for implementing the Tonse manifesto. Without the commitment, progress will be hindered, and Malawians will continue to suffer.

“I hope MCP will realise the importance of working together in the alliance government. As for UTM supporters, I can assure them that the future is bright. Our party has a clear direction and a well-defined strategy in place,” added Njawala.

In a separate interview, Alliance for Democracy (Aford) leader Enoch Chihana said whatever agreement that was signed is not legally binding.

He said: “Whatever agreement that was signed is not legally binding. No one can go to court because it’s not backed by the Constitution.

“For us, it is a waste of time going into political arrangements because when they [bigger parties] get what they want, they simply dump you. We need a law to guide this”

Meanwhile, governance expert Mavuto Bamusi has said the silence to address issues signals a breakdown of the pact which he argued is characterised with political dishonesty.

He said: “The political behaviour of MCP shows that they have settled for Chakwera as candidate for 2025. This implies that VP Chilima has been downplayed and relegated to the periphery of the 2025 election candidature.

“My view is that the Political Parties Act can be amended to incorporate a clause on accountability and integrity issues in the formation and management of political party alliances.”

Last year, Chilima said the political alliance agreement was for 10 years, in which both Chakwera and himself are expected to support each other to lead for one-term. The MCP disputed this.

The Tonse administration, led by Chakwera and Chilima, dislodged the former governing DPP of Peter Mutharika in the June 23 2020 Fresh Presidential Election.