The action-packed 2024 is gone and 2025 has already begun. As you flipped your calendar to the Yew Year, our Staff Writer JACQUELINE PHIRI caught up with political scientist Gift Sambo of the University of Malawi to discuss the big issues that panned out in the year he described as a mixed bag. Here are excerpts of his take on the news to remember, from the foggy death of Vice-President Saulos Chilima in the June 10 plane crash to the turbulent elective conventions of major political parties that did too little to shake up the line-up at their helms. Excerpts:
Politically, how do you look back at the turn of events in the eventful 366 days gone by?
The year 2024 has been a mixed bag politically. On the positive note, we have witnessed developments indicating that political parties are committed towards the entrenchment of intra-party democracy as evidenced by various party conventions where new leaders were elected through an open and democratic process. Unfortunately, these developments were overtaken by the tragic accident which claimed the life of the country’s Vice-President Saulos Chilima and eight other citizens in a plane crash. As a nation, we are yet to come to terms with this tragic event. However, despite this, Malawi remains among the most politically stable countries in the [southern African] region.
How has the death of Vice-President Chilima changed the dynamics of the country’s politics?
Obviously we cannot rule out the Chilima effect in the current political dynamics. We have seen alliances disintegrating and new political strategic positions emerging. For example, since the demise of the Vice-President, we have witnessed several parties, including his UTM Party abandoning the governing Tonse Alliance, which is led by President Lazarus Chakwera’s Malawi Congress Party. Again, the former Vice-President’s sudden death has also led to the deepening of the culture of distrust among political parties. This is especially evidenced through the political narratives emanating from United Democratic Front and UTM which are considered potential kingmakers in the current political landscape. They are both considering going alone to face the voters. However, his absence is particularly being felt in the UTM where party zealots are yet to come to terms with his absence on the political scene.
Is the UTM, which appeared to be the hardest hit by the plane crash which occurred in the Viphya Plantation, likely to be stronger under the new leadership?
The current UTM leadership has demonstrated the desire to maintain the party as a force to reckon with. The move by its current president [former Reserve Bank of Malawi governor Dalitso Kabambe] of trying to reconcile all the antagonistic factions that emerged after the demise of president Chilima, signifies the quest to approach this year’s general elections as a cohesive organisation.
Talking about the elections slated for September 16 this year, the credibility of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) and the National Registration Bureau (NRB) had come under fire even before the voter registration phase got underway. What is your take on this credibility test?
Indeed, the two institutions have a huge task before them to instil trust in the people that they can offer a good service to the nation. Among others, they need to manage speculations and conspiracy theories levelled against them by conducting themselves in a manner that is within the dictates of the Constitution. Transparency and accountability are part of the deal.
How can MEC deliver a credible election that everyone can accept come September this year?
The secret to achieving believable outcomes is strict adherence to the dictates of the Constitution and relevant laws on the part of the authorities governing this electoral management body. The authorities in question should employ the constitutional devices available in resolving all issues that may emanate as the country is approaching a highly charged electoral contest.
How can political parties quell electoral violence, which appears to be neglected despite being on the rise?
It is very unfortunate that some political leaders are in the forefront making pronouncements that could trigger violence. Political parties should not be used as breeding grounds for political violence. Instead, political parties, as critical agents of political socialisation, should develop and entrench a culture of tolerance. Party leaders as critical opinion setters should explicitly and publicly condemn political violence and orient the youth towards the culture of tolerance and coexistence.
