As Malawi heads towards its crucial 2025 elections on 16 September, the nation finds itself in an agonizing predicament. The country, ravaged by an economic crisis, skyrocketing inflation, and an ongoing fuel shortage, is staring down a choice between two major political parties that have left Malawians disillusioned and desperate for change. The ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP), under President Lazarus Chakwera, has led the nation to a state of stagnation, with its leadership becoming increasingly out of touch with the needs of the people. Meanwhile, the prospect of Peter Mutharika and his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) returning to power, after their ouster in 2020 due to rampant corruption and poor governance, brings fear rather than hope.
Malawians are caught between a rock and a hard place. The MCP has proven itself ineffective and unresponsive, and Chakwera’s leadership, marked by arrogance and confusion, has only deepened the country’s crisis. Yet, the DPP, despite its failures, remains the only viable opposition. The possibility of Mutharika reclaiming the presidency is an unsettling one, given his party’s history of corruption, nepotism, and lawlessness. But as things stand, it seems that voters are being asked to choose between these two evils, neither of which offers a real solution to Malawi’s dire situation.
This is where the urgency for a third force in Malawi’s politics becomes critical. Malawians deserve more than the stale choices presented by the MCP and DPP. The country needs leaders who can rise above past mistakes and chart a new path forward—leaders who are not mired in the same cycles of mismanagement and failure. As we face the September 2025 elections, it is time for leaders from other parties to step up and give Malawians a credible alternative.
Atupele Muluzi of the United Democratic Front (UDF), Enock Chihana of the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), and Dalitso Kabambe of the United Transformation Movement (UTM) have the opportunity to emerge as the leaders that can save Malawi from the tragedy of repeating history. These men represent a fresh start, an opportunity for leadership that is untainted by the failures of the past. However, they need to rise to the occasion and show the nation that they are capable of leading Malawi into a new era of prosperity and stability.
Atupele Muluzi, a young and energetic leader, must cast aside any political considerations and throw himself fully into the campaign to win the trust of the Malawian people. His party, the UDF, has been part of Malawi’s political fabric for many years, but now is the time for Atupele to emerge as a clear leader who will not shy away from the challenges of governance. He must position himself as the true alternative to the failed political dynasties of the MCP and DPP, and not allow his efforts to be diluted by any political alliance with these entrenched forces.
Enock Chihana, leader of AFORD, must also take a bold stance. His party represents the hopes of many Malawians who are disillusioned with both the MCP and DPP, but Chihana has been reluctant to offer a strong challenge to the two dominant parties. He must rise to the occasion and show that AFORD is not merely an accessory to the political establishment, but a force in its own right capable of providing the leadership Malawians need. His flirtation with a potential alliance with the DPP should be abandoned, as it risks further discrediting his party and its mission. Instead, Chihana should focus on rallying a coalition of like-minded parties, with a clear vision for Malawi’s future.
Dalitso Kabambe, the leader of UTM, finds himself in a particularly difficult position following the tragic death of Saulos Chilima. His party, once energized by Chilima’s charisma and reformist agenda, is now struggling with internal divisions and a lack of clear direction. Kabambe, while capable, must recognize that the country is in need of experience and unity, rather than a fractured and disjointed political entity. Rather than focusing on his own presidential ambitions, Kabambe should consider uniting with AFORD and UDF, forging a common cause for the betterment of the country. He can gain invaluable political experience by working alongside more established figures like Muluzi and Chihana, and together they can form a more credible and powerful alternative to the failed status quo.
Moreover, former President Joyce Banda and her People’s Party (PP) could play a pivotal role in forming a new political coalition. While her time in office was not without controversy, she has proven herself a capable leader and a seasoned politician. Banda’s experience and political clout could provide the kind of stability and leadership necessary to guide Malawi through its current challenges. If she were to join forces with UDF, AFORD, and UTM, she could help provide the unity and direction that Malawians desperately need.
For this new coalition to succeed, however, it must not only be a coalition of politicians but also a coalition of Malawians who are determined to break free from the cycle of poor governance and failed promises. Local and international donors must also play a role in supporting these parties, ensuring they have the resources and visibility needed to present themselves as credible options to the electorate. These parties must be given the chance to prove that they can offer Malawians a government that works for them, not against them.
Malawians cannot afford another term of MCP or DPP. The price of inaction is too high, and the country’s future depends on breaking free from the stranglehold of these two parties. As we approach the 2025 elections, it is crucial that the leaders of UDF, AFORD, and UTM put aside their differences and come together to present a united front. The time for leadership is now, and Malawians are counting on them to give them a real choice—one that offers hope, change, and a better future. We are at a crossroads, and the path forward must be one that leads away from the two evils of the past and toward a brighter tomorrow.
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