By Burnett Munthali

In a surprising turn of events, several United Democratic Front (UDF) members have defied the party’s leadership under Atupele Muluzi and his father, former President Bakili Muluzi, by participating in a joint press briefing organized by opposition parties Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), and United Transformation Movement (UTM). The press briefing, held in Lilongwe, was focused on pressing national issues ahead of next year’s general elections.

• Is the Vice President of Malawi Supposed to Use Public Resources for Private Life Affairs? A Litmus Test for “Return to Proven Leadership”
  Opinion By Donald Malanga In the shadows of our nation’s hospitals, where medicine cabinets stand empty, and in markets where food prices soar beyond reach, a question of moral leadership…
• Step 30 International Ministries Brings Life-giving Water To Chingala Village
  By Mabvuto Kalawa, Malawi Freedom Network Correspondent In a remarkable display of compassion and community development, Step 30 International Ministries has drilled a solar-powered borehole in Chingala Village, Lilongwe District,…
• Redson Munlo Quits MCP, Cites Personal Decision Amid Growing Party Discontent
  By Suleman Chitera Redson Munlo, a well-known political activist and member of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), has resigned from the party, marking yet another high-profile exit at a time…
• NBS Bank partners with Beautify Malawi to donate K100 million items to charity
  By Suleman Chitera Listed NBS Bank, in partnership with Beautify Malawi Trust (BEAM Trust), have donated festive season hampers amounting to K100 million to 500 elderly and underprivileged people in…
• HRDC Threatens Legal Action Over VP’s Controversial UK Trip
  By Suleman Chitera The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has issued a stark warning to government, threatening civic and legal action unless authorities clarify glaring inconsistencies surrounding Vice President’s recent…
• Investigative Report: The Lobin Lowe “Butchery” Fertilizer Scandal and Its Legal Aftermath
  By Investigative Desk 1. Summary of the Scandal In 2022, Malawi’s Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP) was rocked by a procurement scandal in which the Ministry of Agriculture paid approximately K750…
• K60 Million Stolen in Armed Robbery at Masasa Total Filling Station
  By Suleman Chitera More than K60 million has been stolen during an armed robbery at a fuel filling station operated by TotalEnergies Malawi in Masasa, Ntcheu District. Confirming the incident,…
• Mulli Brothers Holdings Distances Itself from Politics, Reaffirms Focus on Business
  By Suleman Chitera Mulli Brothers Holdings has reiterated that it does not engage in political activities, emphasizing that its core mandate remains business growth and service delivery. Speaking in an…
• Mutharika Reshuffles Cabinet, Expands Executive to 28 Ministers
  By Suleman Chitera President Peter Mutharika has reshuffled his Cabinet and expanded its size, raising the number of ministers from 24 to 28 in a move aimed at re-aligning government…

This move by UDF members has caused significant tension within the party, as the UDF leadership had previously declared its stance of remaining independent, with no plans to form alliances or join forces with other political parties at this time. Despite this, a group of UDF members decided to align themselves with the opposition coalition, signaling a potential rift within the party ranks.

Atupele Muluzi, who has consistently emphasized the importance of maintaining the UDF’s independence, had issued statements earlier clarifying that any future alliances would be subject to thorough consultations with the party’s membership. However, these members, seemingly disillusioned with the current direction of the UDF, have taken matters into their own hands by aligning with the opposition bloc.

The joint press briefing between DPP, AFORD, and UTM highlights the opposition’s determination to present a united front in addressing national issues and strategizing for the 2025 general elections. The decision by some UDF members to participate in this event raises questions about the party’s internal unity and future direction.

While it remains unclear how the UDF leadership will respond to this defiance, political analysts speculate that this could lead to internal conflicts within the party, especially as the country moves closer to the elections. The willingness of these UDF members to collaborate with the opposition also reflects the growing momentum of the opposition parties as they seek to challenge the ruling administration in next year’s polls.

The coming days will be critical for the UDF leadership as they navigate this growing divide and attempt to reconcile the party’s differing factions. Meanwhile, the opposition parties continue to push forward with their agenda, potentially gaining strength from these developments.