What will unmute SKC?

Vice-President Saulos Chilima has chosen silence on President Lazarus Chakwera’s declaration that he will seek re-election in 2025.

“I have no comment to make,” said Chilima in a terse WhatsApp response on Friday following Chakwera’s public declaration made at a development rally on Thursday in Lilongwe after the launch of the second compact of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).

Chakwera’s affirmation did not come as a surprise given that his Malawi Congress Party (MCP) gurus already endorsed him ahead of  the August elective convention widely expected to be a formality.

But main alliance partner, Chilima’s UTM Party, has always clung to the narrative of an agreement between the President and his Vice in the run-up to the 2020 court-sanctioned presidential polls that a victorious Chakwera would serve one term then give way to Chilima to lead the alliance in the 2025 election.

Now that the President has clarified that he will contest, Chilima’s next move will be the most closely watched in the coming months.

But for now, Chilima’s strategy, it appears, is to keep everyone guessing, holding his cards close to his chest.

On Thursday evening, UTM Party publicity secretary Fèlix Njawala said they will not be commenting on matters discussed at MCP gatherings.

“The President is leader of MCP and he made such remarks to MCP faithful at a rally, so, we cannot make any comment on that.

“It could have been different if these remarks were made at a gathering where both UTM and MCP people were available,” he said.

Meanwhile, Political Science Association of Malawi publicity secretary Mavuto Bamusi said the President’s move was not surprising.

He said the agreement was a non-starter and was dead on arrival, but warned that MCP’s actions place any new alliances under serious doubts.

Said Bamusi: “UTM has played second-fiddle and what comes out clear is that alliances will lose trust because agreements made under alliances will now be regarded as informal and not to bé trusted. They are simply marriages of convenience.”

On his part, governance pundit George Chaima said the fact that Chakwera has finally declared his interest for the 2025 polls sends a clear message to Chilima to concentrate on growing UTM.

Said Chaima: “Unless Chilima wants to go into another alliance, let him concentrate on UTM. That he is going to represent the Tonse Alliance is a buried story now, let him forget about that.

“We cannot say Chilima has been played but, again, that is all polítics. Politicians are not people that you can trust. If they cannot trust each other, how can you trust an agreement or a promise? If you trust them, you end up being disappointed.”

An expert in electoral polítics Ernest Thindwa noted that it was wishful thinking for UTM to think that MCP would not field a candidate in the 2025 polls.

He said MCP was using its numerical strength to stamp authority over others, urging Chilima to concentrate on growing his party.

He said: “Irrespective of the agreement, which is also not legally binding, the fact is that MCP was always going to field their candidate. This should have been clear to UTM because with MCP’s numèrical strength in Parliament and on the ground, it doesn’t make political sense to give way to Chilima.

“So, let UTM define its polítical future. Let it develop its support base, otherwise, depending on being given the presidency by MCP is wishful thinking. “

Recently, MCP said the electoral partnership that triumphed in the court-sanctioned fresh presidential election expires in 2025.

MCP spokesperson Ezekiel Ching’oma said the party’s national executive committee (NEC), which has endorsed Chakwera as presidential candidate, would meet to review and make fresh arrangements, come 2025.

He said: “It should be emphasised that this agreement does not extend beyond that specified period. Consequently, the NEC will convene again to discuss and plan for the future.

“It is essential to reconvene and engage in constructive discussions to formulate a fresh agreement that encompasses all the parties we intend to collaborate with. This will allow us to establish a renewed and comprehensive alliance, ensuring a strong and unified front for the years to come.”