Mutharika Vows To Win Next Election To Save Malawi

By Martha Kachingwe Phiri, LILONGWE

Former president and Democratic Progressive Party-DPP Peter Mutharika says he will not only contest in next year’s presidential election but also win.

He maintains currently Malawi has a president in Lazarus Chakwera but has no leader, citing the alleged lost direction the country has taken with myriad challenges and unfulfilled campaign promises.

“We are now in Bagamoyo, a very bad place I am coming back. I will win again in 2025. I once did it and I will do it again,” said Mutharika.

He was speaking to journalists at his Page House in Mangochi on Friday where he also alleged that the Tonse Alliance administration has tried coming up with fabricated charges against him so that he should not stand in the forthcoming elections.

The visibly angry Mutharika also took a swipe at President Chakwera, who is also Malawi Congress Party-MCP leader, for allegedly governing using violence and intimidation on DPP supporters.

He made reference to the hacking of some DPP supporters in Lilongwe over two weeks ago by unknown thugs. Mutharika and the DPP claim the MCP supporters are responsible.

Police are yet to arrest any suspects with National Police spokesperson Peter Kalaya, saying they are still proceeding with their investigations.

“Chakwera didn’t say anything on those attacks. But let me tell him that violence will not rescue Malawians from the economic challenges they face now. Violence will not bring food and passports,” said Mutharika.

But MCP spokesperson Ezekiel Ching’oma describes Mutharika’s claims as laughable and baseless, saying their party cannot sponsor thugs as it thrives on democratic principles and rule of law.

Meanwhile, Information Minister Moses Kunkuyu argues DPP doesn’t have a moral ground on issues of political violence, saying they have a very bad history.

Mutharika and his DPP lost government following the court sanctioned presidential polls in June 2020.

The party has been embroiled in never ending infighting leading to the expulsion of some senior members including Kondwani Nankhumwa, Grelzeder Jeffrey, Uladi Mussa and Mark Botoman among others.

Surprisingly, Mutharika, in his Friday address avoided commenting on the unrelenting battle for Leader of Opposition in Parliament as the Speaker of the National Assembly Catherine Gotani still recognizes the fired Nankhumwa due to a court order.

This is despite the DPP leader appointing Thyolo Thava lawmaker Mary Navicha to replace him.

Currently, DPP has decried delayed court judgement on their application to remove the court injunction that some DPP members obtained in 2022 restraining George Chaponda to become Leader of Opposition.