By Burnett Munthali | Malawi Freedom Network
Sameer Suleman has accused President Lazarus Chakwera and the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) of showing ingratitude towards the late Sidik Mia, despite his significant role in bringing the party to power.
Speaking yesterday in Ngabu, Chikwawa, Suleman said Mia had worked tirelessly to ensure MCP’s electoral victory and deserved far more respect than he received.
He lamented that instead of being honored, Mia’s contributions were overlooked, and he was effectively sidelined in the political narrative.
What Suleman found even more painful was that President Chakwera did not attend Mia’s funeral.
He pointed out that shortly after missing Mia’s burial, Chakwera was quick to board a plane to attend the funeral of the late Tanzanian President John Magufuli.
According to Suleman, this decision reflected misplaced priorities and a lack of loyalty to those who sacrificed for MCP’s success.
He described such conduct as unacceptable and deeply disappointing, especially coming from leaders who benefited directly from Mia’s political influence.
Suleman’s remarks were met with murmurs of agreement from sections of the Ngabu audience, many of whom remembered Mia as a respected figure in the Lower Shire.
His speech also reignited public debate over how political leaders should treat their allies, both in life and in death.
Concluding Analysis
Sameer Suleman’s criticism taps into a broader narrative about loyalty, respect, and political gratitude in Malawi’s political culture.
By contrasting Chakwera’s absence at Mia’s funeral with his swift attendance at Magufuli’s, Suleman sought to frame the President’s actions as a betrayal of personal and political loyalty.
While the remarks may resonate with those who hold Mia in high regard, they also risk deepening political divisions within the MCP and its allied structures.
In the long term, this episode highlights the importance of symbolic gestures in politics — not just policy decisions — as they can significantly shape public perceptions of leadership character and integrity.
