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.

• Mpinganjira expresses frustration after K2bn investment in Wanderers: “We lack quality coaches and players”
  By Burnett Munthali For Thomson Mpinganjira, the dream of transforming Mighty Mukuru Wanderers into a football powerhouse in Malawi has…
• 888bet appoints Phyzix as brand ambassador in Malawi
  In a move aimed at promoting its brand and services in Malawi, 888bet, a leading online sports betting company, has…
• MEC engages UDF on 2025 General Election preparations and voter registration
  By Burnett Munthali The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to an inclusive and transparent electoral process through…
• President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera encourages voter registration in Area 36 during whistle-stop tour
  By Burnett Munthali President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera visited Area 36 in Lilongwe on his whistle-stop tour, urging citizens to register…
• In Nsanje, angry youth tear down Chakwera’s billboard
  By Burnett Munthali A wave of political tension swept through Nsanje over the weekend when a billboard bearing the image…
• DPP leadership conducts whistle-stop tour along shire river
  By Burnett Munthali On Sunday, 1 December 2024, His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, along with the entire leadership of…
• Atupele Muluzi urges Mangochi residents to register for 2025 Elections
  By Burnett Munthali United Democratic Front (UDF) President Atupele Muluzi has called on residents of Mangochi to register in large…
• Zavuta kumpanda
  Timu ya Kamuzu Barracks (KB) yatsanzika mu chikho cha Castel Challenge pamene dzulo Civil Service United yakana zowalirana poyedzeka KB…
• Fifa rejects own committee’s call to compensate Qatar workers
  Fifa has published a long-awaited report it commissioned into the legacy of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, but has failed…

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.