Opposition UTM Party and Alliance for Democracy (Aford) have said their ongoing discussions with other parties are aimed at mapping out strategies, including identifying possible torchbearers ahead of the September 16 2025 Election.
UTM spokesperson Felix Njawala and Aford president Enoch Chihana said in separate interviews yesterday that talks were at an advanced stage and that they will soon update the public.
Njawala said UTM was engaging all opposition political parties and that there were several aspects of an electoral alliance which are under consideration.
He said: “There are several issues the parties are looking at. Identifying a leader is part of the discussions. But leadership is the last issue to discuss. It is a process and the discussions are not that simple.
“These discussions are happening behind closed doors. No party can start discussing these issues in the public. We will come out at an appropriate time but we are discussing with all parties in the opposition.”
On his part, Chihana said they plan to make an announcement of what has been agreed before June 20 2025.
He said, so far, Aford is engaged in talks with Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), UTM, United Democratic Front (UDF), People’s Party (PP) and Freedom Party.
“I cannot speak on behalf of the other parties. But what we know is that discussions are still underway. Within three weeks, before June 20, an announcement will be made on the direction we will take,” he said.
Freedom Party president Khumbo Kachali, who is the country’s former vice-president, said they are in talks with Aford, PP, Mafunde, People’s Development Party and People’s Transformation Party.
He said: “If you ask me about alliances, the listed parties are the ones we are talking to. The discussions are at an advanced stage. About UTM and DPP, I can neither confirm nor deny.”
DPP spokesperson Shadric Namalomba was yet to respond to our questionnaire by press time yesterday.
In April this year, DPP declared that if it goes into an electoral alliance with any political party, its president Peter Mutharika will be the torchbearer.
