Dalitso Kabambe, one of the presidential aspirant for the UTM party, has called on delegates to vote for visionary leaders at the upcoming elective conference.
Speaking to Bua Central Region delegates in Kasungu District, he expressed confidence in his ability to lead the party to victory in the 2025 general elections.
“I’m very optimistic that if I am voted into the UTM presidential seat and win next year’s polls, my experience will help address the challenges Malawians face today,” Kabambe stated.
UTM Bua Central Region Governor Gerald Mbewe hailed Kabambe’s remarks, underscoring the need for intelligent leadership to ensure the party’s success.
The UTM party’s 2024 elective conference is scheduled for November 17.
Other news
- Passport issuance resumes, but public anger lingers over government’s failure
By Burnett Munthali
The Government of Malawi has announced the resumption of passport issuance services following a prolonged suspension that left thousands of citizens stranded without travel documents.
While the announcement has brought relief to many Malawians, it has also reignited public frustration over how the Malawi Congress Party (MCP)-led administration has mishandled the passport system.
Critics argue that the passport crisis is yet another example of the MCP government’s failure to manage basic national services efficiently.
Long delays, lack of transparency, and allegations of corruption have plagued the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services since the problem began.
The suspension not only disrupted international travel but also affected job seekers, students, and patients who depend on timely access to travel documents for opportunities abroad.
Many believe the government has not provided a convincing explanation for the crisis, nor has it held any officials accountable for the systemic failure.
For opposition voices and frustrated citizens, the resumption of passport services is not a sign of success but a late correction of a problem that should have never reached crisis levels.
There is growing sentiment that the MCP government should not be rewarded with another term after failing to deliver such a basic public service.
The passport saga is now seen as a symbol of broader government inefficiency, prompting calls for a leadership change in the upcoming elections.
As the campaign season gains momentum, the issue of passports is expected to become a key talking point among opposition parties seeking to unseat the MCP administration.
- Timothy Mtambo Distances Himself from AFORD-DPP Alliance, Cites 2019 Electoral Crisis and Personal Safety Concerns
By Burnett Munthali
Former Minister of Civic Education and National Unity, Timothy Mtambo, has dismissed suggestions that his recent remarks indicate he has left the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) or is against the party’s leader, Enock Chihana.
According to Mtambo, his disagreement lies squarely with AFORD’s decision to form an alliance with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) ahead of the September 2025 General Election.
He emphasized that the DPP failed to govern the country effectively during its tenure from 2014 to 2019, leaving behind a trail of unaddressed issues and broken public trust.
Mtambo argued that there has been no indication that the DPP has transformed or learned from its previous failures to justify its return to power.
He further expressed concern over the recent selection of former Malawi Electoral Commission Chairperson Jane Ansah as Peter Mutharika’s running mate.
In Mtambo’s view, this move signals that the DPP has no genuine reform agenda and is instead recycling figures associated with democratic regression and electoral misconduct.
He recalled the widespread protests that erupted during the 2019 elections under Jane Ansah’s leadership, stating that her actions undermined public confidence in the electoral process.
“I cannot stand on any political platform to support the DPP which failed the nation, nor Jane Ansah who played a key role in distorting the 2019 election results,” Mtambo said firmly.
He went on to reveal that his life was under threat during the DPP regime, implying that it would be hypocritical for him to now support individuals who once endangered his safety.
Mtambo’s remarks come amid growing scrutiny of political alliances forming ahead of the election, especially those involving figures and parties with controversial histories.
His position underscores the deep divisions within opposition ranks and raises questions about the legitimacy and appeal of the newly formed AFORD-DPP partnership.
As the campaign season unfolds, Mtambo’s principled stance may resonate with voters who remain wary of returning to leadership structures they associate with past political instability.
- Mtambo rejects AFORD-DPP alliance, citing corruption and betrayal
By Burnett Munthali
Vice President of the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), Timothy Mtambo, has firmly rejected any alliance between his party and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), distancing himself from a recent announcement made by AFORD President Enock Chihana.
Speaking at a press conference in Lilongwe, Mtambo stated categorically that he would not support any political collaboration with the DPP, citing the party’s poor governance record and failure to reform.
He specifically criticised the selection of Jane Ansah as DPP presidential candidate Peter Mutharika’s running mate in the upcoming 2025 elections, accusing her of presiding over the highly controversial and chaotic 2019 elections.
Mtambo said the DPP’s leadership had proven to be corrupt and untrustworthy, highlighting that the party failed Malawians on multiple fronts during its previous tenure in government.
He also recalled how the DPP allegedly betrayed AFORD during a past political partnership, which he said left lasting scars on the party’s integrity and credibility.
As AFORD Vice President, Mtambo declared that he would not participate in any campaign that involves the DPP, asserting that doing so would be a betrayal of the values he and many AFORD supporters uphold.
Adding weight to Mtambo’s remarks, AFORD Legal Director Khwima Mchizi expressed similar concerns, stating that the DPP has not shown any remorse or accountability for past injustices committed against AFORD and Malawians at large.
Mchizi emphasized that under such circumstances, it would be both impractical and morally wrong for AFORD to align with a party that has failed to atone for its past actions.
This development has sparked debate within AFORD ranks, raising questions about internal unity and the long-term viability of the recently announced pact with the DPP.
- Independent Candidate Milward Tobias Picks Henry Mdebwe as Running Mate for September 16 Polls
By Burnett Munthali
Independent presidential candidate Milward Tobias has officially announced Henry Mdebwe as his running mate for the September 16th General Election.
The announcement adds a significant dimension to Tobias’s campaign, as the selection of a running mate is a critical step in the electoral journey.
By choosing Henry Mdebwe, Tobias signals his intention to present a strong and credible ticket to Malawians ahead of the polls.
Mdebwe is expected to bring complementary strengths to the presidential ticket, particularly in policy engagement and grassroots mobilization.
This move positions the Tobias-Mdebwe duo as one of the alternative voices in a race largely dominated by major party candidates.
The decision to run independently reflects Tobias’s desire to challenge the status quo and appeal to voters seeking a non-partisan leadership.
According to electoral regulations, every presidential candidate must submit the name of a running mate as part of their nomination requirements.
With this announcement, Milward Tobias meets one of the constitutional obligations that allow him to appear on the final presidential ballot.
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has already confirmed that Tobias’s nomination papers passed preliminary inspection, clearing his path to the campaign trail.
Political observers are now turning their attention to how the independent ticket will perform in an election cycle expected to be highly competitive.
As campaigns intensify, the public will be looking to hear more about the Tobias-Mdebwe platform and how it addresses Malawi’s pressing socio-economic challenges.
This development reflects the growing diversity of choices available to Malawians in the 2025 presidential race, reinforcing the strength of the country’s democratic space.
- Milward Tobias Clears First Hurdle as MEC Approves His Presidential Nomination Papers
By Burnett Munthali
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has confirmed that the presidential nomination papers submitted by independent candidate Milward Tobias have successfully passed the preliminary inspection.
This confirmation was made by MEC Chairperson, Justice Annabel Mtalimanja.
She made the announcement as part of the ongoing process of vetting candidates for the upcoming 2025 presidential election.
Milward Tobias, who is contesting as an independent, becomes one of the candidates whose documentation has met the necessary legal and procedural requirements at this early stage.
The preliminary inspection is a crucial step in the nomination process, as it ensures that all submissions comply with the provisions outlined in the electoral laws of Malawi.
Justice Mtalimanja noted that MEC is committed to maintaining transparency, fairness, and professionalism in handling the nomination process for all aspiring candidates.
The successful clearance of Milward Tobias’s papers now positions him among the officially recognized presidential aspirants heading into the campaign period.
His clearance adds momentum to his candidacy and signals his readiness to compete in what is expected to be a closely contested election.
More candidates are expected to go through the same process in the coming days, with MEC continuing its preliminary inspections as scheduled.
Justice Mtalimanja reaffirmed that the Commission remains vigilant and impartial as it navigates this critical phase of the electoral calendar.
As the nation prepares for the 2025 general elections, the validation of candidates like Milward Tobias marks an important milestone in ensuring a democratic and inclusive electoral process.
