UDF members defy Atupele and Bakili Muluzi, join DPP, AFORD, and UTM Press Briefing

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.

• MCP’s fury: Ruling party unleashes vitriol against Mutharika after scathing national address
  By Twink Jones Gadama In a bizarre display of outrage, the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has launched a vicious…
• MACRA’s decision to procure social media monitoring machine: Malawi Freedom Network Exclusive with Rick Dzida
  By Burnett Munthali Introduction Rick Dzida is a prominent Malawian social commentator and analyst known for his critical perspectives on…
• A Cry for Justice: The Urgent Need to Restore Democracy in Our Beloved Nation
  By Comrade jumbe “He who cuts down the tree of justice shall one day sit in the heat of its…
• Former President Peter Mutharika’s National Address Sparks Debate
  By Twink Jones Gadama A recent national address by former President Peter Mutharika has ignited a heated debate, with some…
• The Implications of Undule Mwakasangula’s Accusations Against Former President Peter Mutharika: A Constitutional Perspective
  By Twink Jones Gadama In the complex political landscape of Malawi, the interplay between former and current leaders often stirs…
• Critique: Undule Mwakasungula’s attack on APM’s ‘National Address’
  By Burnett Munthali Governance and Human Rights Advocate Undule Mwakasungula recently criticized former President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika (APM) for…
• Ben Longwe reminds Malawians Chakwera’s power ends on 23rd June, 2025
  By Vincent Gunde Human Rights Activist Sir Charles Ben Longwe, has reminded Malawians that according to the Republican Constitution and…
• Pastor Shumba claims Billy Malata plotting arrests of activists
  By Vincent Gunde Activist Pastor Moses Shumba-the Lion of Judah, has claimed that Billy Frederick Malata is behind arresting activists…
• Trump issues sweeping executive actions on first day back in office
  By Burnett Munthali In a dramatic start to his presidency, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a series of executive actions…

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.