In a bold declaration during a Thursday night interview on Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS), United Democratic Front (UDF) leader Atupele Muluzi—with a blend of optimism and conviction—declared himself as “ripe, equipped, and ready to govern,” drawing from years of international exposure and leadership experience.
In a blistering critique of President Lazarus Chakwera’s leadership, UTM Party president Dalitso Kabambe has accused the president of being out of touch with the reality facing Malawians, particularly the soaring poverty levels driven by a faltering economy. Kabambe, a former governor of the Reserve Bank of Malawi and seasoned economist, did not mince his words, describing the current economic policies under Chakwera as a failure.
Mr. President, in 2020, Malawians entrusted you with the highest office in the land, not because they were blind to the challenges ahead, but because they saw hope in your leadership. They watched as you stood at the pulpit of politics, promising to exorcise the demons of corruption, impunity, and despair that had possessed this nation under the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). They believed in your words because you radiated honesty, integrity, and empathy—a man of God in a sea of political darkness.
The President of the United Transformation Movement (UTM), Dr. Dalitso Kabambe, has issued a public plea for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU) to step in and help address Malawi’s escalating political and economic challenges.
Malawi is burning, and its people are crying out for leadership. The fuel crisis is paralyzing livelihoods, the economy is on its knees, and the call for free and fair elections next year grows louder with each passing day. Yet, as ordinary Malawians brave the streets to demand accountability, one question looms large: Where is Peter Mutharika, the leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), when his country needs him most?
The scenes that unfolded in Lilongwe yesterday paint a chilling picture of political violence in Malawi—scenes that should have no place in a democracy. Once again, the Malawian public witnessed a disturbing assault on their right to peacefully protest, as armed police and a group of masked assailants, wielding pangas and other weapons, viciously targeted unarmed protesters. This disturbing episode, which took place for the second time in just two weeks, begs a critical question: Why is President Lazarus Chakwera silent in the face of such political violence?
The right to protest is enshrined in Malawi’s Constitution, a cornerstone of democracy that ensures citizens have a platform to express dissatisfaction and demand accountability. Time and again, CDEDI has attempted to exercise this right in the face of challenges—be it calling for the resignation of government officials over the ongoing fuel crisis or questioning the legitimacy of election processes. And time and again, these protests have been hindered by bureaucratic roadblocks or, more troublingly, by deliberate efforts to prevent them. Using the claim that the police are “too busy” as an excuse to stop protests is not only disingenuous; it is an attack on the very principles of democracy that the police are sworn to protect.
Residents of Ndirande Township have justified the violence that erupted on Friday, targeting Minister of Information Moses Kunkuyu’s convoy, claiming the minister’s unannounced visit disrupted their business activities.
The United Transformation Movement (UTM) Party has initiated an investigation into the presence of women dressed in party colours at a government event in Lilongwe on Tuesday, where President Lazarus Chakwera and Vice-President Michael Usi were in attendance. The women were seen dancing alongside members of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) during the opening of a Global Fund Board meeting.
In a fiery address to supporters during a voter registration drive in Thyolo, former President Peter Mutharika has raised alarm over what he claims is President Lazarus Chakwera’s plan to rig the upcoming 2025 general elections using the Smartmatic voting technology. Mutharika’s accusations come amid growing tensions between opposition parties and the current administration, setting the stage for a contentious election period.