By Burnett Munthali
UTM Party Secretary General Patricia Kaliati has reminded Malawians that the ongoing political rally at Masintha Ground in Lilongwe is not just a show of strength but a clear reminder of the promises made under the Tonse Alliance.
Speaking passionately before a large crowd on Sunday, Kaliati stated that the rally was designed to reawaken the hopes and expectations that came with the formation of the nine-party Tonse Alliance in 2020.
She pointed out that among the agreements made when the alliance was being formed was a power-sharing understanding, which included the provision that the UTM would be given a chance to lead the country after the first term.
According to Kaliati, the initial agreement clearly stipulated that the UTM would field the presidential candidate for the 2025 elections, with all alliance partners expected to support that candidate.
She emphasized that this was not a secretive or informal arrangement, but a political understanding made in good faith and with national interest in mind.
Kaliati recalled that it was the leaders of religious institutions, traditional authorities, and other influential voices who advised the late Vice President Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima to support President Lazarus Chakwera during the 2020 court-ordered fresh elections.
She said that Dr. Chilima made the sacrifice to support Chakwera as a unifying gesture, demonstrating patriotism and a commitment to national stability at a time when the country was desperate for change.
However, Kaliati declared that the time has now come for the UTM to take its rightful place and lead Malawi, following the arrangement that brought the Tonse Alliance to power.
She stated that the calls from faith leaders and chiefs that once persuaded Chilima to step aside must now shift towards ensuring that the original agreement is respected and implemented.
Kaliati noted that Malawians are watching closely, and the UTM will not allow itself to be sidelined from what is rightfully its turn to lead.
She added that the nation cannot continue on a path of broken promises and betrayal, especially when the alliance was built on the promise of unity, inclusiveness, and shared leadership.
Her remarks echoed the growing sentiment among UTM supporters and other observers who believe that honoring the alliance agreement is not just a political issue but a matter of integrity and national trust.
The rally at Masintha has thus become more than a campaign event — it is a symbolic declaration of the UTM’s readiness to take the reins of leadership in 2025.
