By Burnett Munthali
In a powerful message that has quickly gone viral on social media, engineer Newton Kambala, a prominent figure in Malawi’s political landscape, has assured UTM supporters and all citizens advocating for democracy that the opposition coalition is unwavering in its demand for the release of UTM Secretary General Patricia Kaliati, who remains in police custody. The coalition of opposition parties—comprising the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), UTM, AFORD, UDF, and activist Bon Kalindo of Malawi First—has mobilized to counter what they describe as government overreach and a misuse of state power.
In the circulating video, Kambala emphatically declared that the opposition would not sit idly by while government agencies allegedly abuse their power to arrest and detain opposition members. “We will not allow the government to misuse its powers,” Kambala affirmed. “Strategies are in place to ensure that Honorable Patricia Kaliati is granted bail by Friday, October 25, 2024.”
Kambala provided further reassurance, noting that Kaliati remains in good health and stands firm despite her circumstances. He conveyed her message of confidence, asserting that she faces her situation without fear. According to Kambala, a lawyer has already been engaged, with plans to expedite a bail application once a statement is taken from Kaliati.
Support for UTM has extended well beyond the party, as echoed by the UDF’s Vice President, who joined Kambala in addressing a gathering of concerned supporters. “The opposition is here to ensure that democracy prevails,” he said, underscoring a collective resolve to prevent any slide back toward authoritarian governance.
The UDF Vice President right Honorable Elias Rahim also reminded the crowd of the party’s role in overthrowing the one-party system in 1994, a critical juncture in Malawi’s history when the UDF led the charge for democratic governance. This reminder, he stressed, serves as a warning against any attempts to erode the political freedoms Malawians have fought hard to secure.
The ongoing support for Kaliati highlights the broader concern within the opposition that Malawi may be witnessing a troubling trend of state-sanctioned suppression of dissent. In uniting for Kaliati’s release, the opposition aims to uphold democratic principles and assert that they will not tolerate any form of intimidation or repression.
The coalition’s message is clear: as Malawians, they stand together in defense of democracy and will resist any move that undermines the nation’s hard-won political freedoms. As the deadline approaches for Kaliati’s bail application, Malawians will be closely watching for the outcome, with the opposition signaling they are prepared to escalate their efforts should their calls for justice go unheeded.
