…5 out of nine parties ditch Chakwera
…UTM says Chakwera has no experience
Due to his humbleness, the Late Saulos Chilima accepted someone without experience (Dr. Lazarus Chakwera) to lead the Tonse Alliance, but he was let down from the beginning by the MCP, who clearly wanted to use him to ascend into office, the UTM has charged in its divorce notice terminating its marriage to the MCP under the banner of Tonse Alliance.
Tonse Alliance, the political grand coalition that had the backing of the Church and prominent Civil Rights groups such as the HRDC, has crumbled. One of the major partners announced their immediate departure from the grouping.
The UTM, a party whose founding President, Late Saulos Chilima, became a running mate to MCP President Lazarus Chakwera, said its faithful should not lose hope as the promised “tsogolo lowala” had failed to arrive with the MCP.
“From the day after winning the election, he had been denied positions, insulted, arrested and persecuted. It was clear that it was the case of help cross the river and I will eat you,” a UTM flyer announcing the political divorce reads.
UTM publicity secretary Felix Njawala said the decision was unanimous, as 11 out of the 13 decision-making members voted for UTM to leave the alliance.
The alliance’s failure is one of the many characteristics of President Chakwera’s administration, which has failed to manage the food situation, the economy, and the promises it made to Malawians in 2020, including 1 million jobs and cheap fertilisers.
With the departure of the UTM, only three parties remain—MCP, Former Vice President Khumbo Kachali’s Freedom Party, and MAFUNDE. The People Party of former President Joyce Banda has been on the fence.
Peoples Progressive Movement led by Mark Katsonga, Alliance for Democracy by Enoch Chihana, Petra of Kamuzu Chibambo and Umodzi left the alliance. A movement under activist Timothy Mtambo left the coalition after he was dumped as Unity Minister. Mtambo is now vice president of Aford.
