By Burnett Munthali
Joe Thomas Nyirongo, a well-known figure within the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), has announced his resignation from the party, citing frustrations over being sidelined from key positions. In a resignation letter addressed to MCP Secretary General Richard Chiwendo Banda, Nyirongo officially declared his exit from active politics, effective immediately.
“I have made the difficult decision to step back from active politics,” Nyirongo stated in the letter. Despite his departure, he expressed deep gratitude towards the party’s leadership, particularly praising President Lazarus Chakwera. “I remain deeply appreciative of the leadership of His Excellency Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, and I am grateful to the entire MCP membership for the support and camaraderie I have enjoyed throughout my time with the party,” Nyirongo added.
While Nyirongo commended the party, he pointed to ongoing health challenges as a major reason for his resignation. “Due to ongoing health challenges, including chronic illness and stress-related conditions, I believe it is now essential to prioritize my well-being,” he explained.
Nyirongo has been a key player in the MCP, contributing significantly to areas such as Strategic Planning, Campaign Management, Rally Organization, Crisis Management, and Relationship Building. Despite his active involvement, Nyirongo voiced disappointment at not being appointed to a formal role during the recent party convention. Nevertheless, he affirmed his loyalty to the party, stating, “Even though I did not secure a formal position during the convention, my dedication to the MCP has remained unwavering.”
As of now, the MCP has not publicly commented on Nyirongo’s resignation. The party’s leadership has yet to respond to this unexpected departure, and efforts to reach them for comment have been unsuccessful.
Nyirongo’s resignation comes at a pivotal time for the MCP, leaving questions about how the party will cope with the loss of one of its most dedicated and longstanding figures. How the MCP addresses these concerns will be closely watched in the coming weeks
