By Burnett Munthali
Fresh signs of disunity have emerged within the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), raising questions about the party’s commitment to internal democracy and transparency.
This follows a formal grievance lodged by aspiring parliamentary candidates from Lilongwe Mpeni Constituency, who have accused Deputy Minister and MCP Director of Youth, Hon. Steve Baba Malondera, of making intimidating pronouncements.
The letter of grievance, dated April 28, 2025, was sent to the MCP Secretary General and outlines serious concerns regarding statements attributed to Malondera.
According to the aggrieved aspirants, the Deputy Minister allegedly warned that any attempts to challenge the incumbent MP for Lilongwe Mpeni, Hon. Eisenhower Mkaka, would be futile.
They claim that Malondera declared publicly that there was no need for anyone to contest, as the seat was already secured for Mkaka.
These alleged remarks have stirred anxiety among hopeful contenders, who feel the comments were meant to suppress competition ahead of the party primaries.
The complainants argue that such utterances contradict the party’s declared principles of fairness, participation, and democratic governance.
They also allege that Hon. Malondera has taken a partisan stance by appearing to campaign for Mkaka prematurely, thereby undermining neutrality expected of party leaders.
Furthermore, the letter cautions that this kind of behavior threatens to disenfranchise potential candidates and damage the MCP’s reputation as a party of reform and inclusivity.
They are appealing to the party’s senior leadership to probe the matter and to ensure corrective measures are taken without delay.
The group insists that all candidates must be given equal opportunity to stand in the primary elections, and that party procedures should not be manipulated to favor any individual.
Their letter calls on the MCP to reinforce internal rules and maintain discipline among office bearers.
Political analysts suggest that such internal disputes, if not managed properly, may contribute to fragmentation within the party base ahead of the 2025 general elections.
They warn that unresolved tensions could lead to splits, with some candidates choosing to run as independents or defecting to rival parties.
At the grassroots level, some party members have begun voicing their disapproval of what they perceive as growing favoritism within the MCP’s ranks.
Concerns are rising that the growing rift might affect party morale and lead to disengagement among the youth, who are a vital voting bloc.
To date, Hon. Malondera has not issued a public response to the allegations raised against him.
Attempts by media outlets to secure his side of the story have not yielded any results.
Meanwhile, sources close to the MCP executive hint at an emergency meeting being planned to address the issue and prevent it from escalating.
Party supporters and observers alike are closely monitoring the developments, eager to see whether the MCP will address the matter transparently and equitably.
The outcome of this situation is expected to have broader implications for the party’s image and electoral performance.
How MCP resolves this internal conflict could either reaffirm or undermine its standing as a credible and democratic political force in Malawi.
