Chilima open to DPP talks on alliance: ‘Malawi has to be the agenda’
UTM Party president Saulos Chilima, who is also the State vice-president, has said he is open to have “a conversation” with the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) which has entered into electoral alliance with United Democratic Front (UDF) to form a grand coalition in the run up to proposed May 19 2020 first ever fresh presidential elections.
Chilima said this on Tuesday evening in an exclusive television interview with privately-owned Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS).
Common cause
“I will get into an alliance with anybody, as long as, we are fighting a common cause,” said Chilima in apparent reference to a barren talks he had with UDF on electoral alliance.
Asked by the maverick TV journalist, Joab Frank Chakhaza, if in the “same spirit” he could get into an alliance with DPP “because they are also anybody”, Chilima said the stand-offs never solve problems.
“Well, we can get into a discussion with them and see whether an alliance is possible or not,” said Chilima.
Pressed if that would be an ideal situation considering that he dumped DPP in 2018 to form UTM, Chilima said: “Have a conversation, see what they have to say and you decide.”
Chilima clarified that he only parted ways with DPP and not dumped, saying “we don’t know who dumped who”.
He said: “The mistake we make is to think that you want to paint everybody with the same brush.”
Chilima continued: “What has happened in the past has happened in the past, we must move on. We will never get to the past; we must be planning the future based on what we have learnt in the past.”
Malawi first
The UTM leader also struck a tone of an olive branch.
“Remember first and foremost we are human beings. We are Malawians. We relate. And the fact that there are people that would be friends and some of them indeed people that I have known for so many years that are still DPP. The fact that they are still DPP it doesn’t mean that they are my enemies. We differ in our thinking and we should respect that.
“But if there was need for a conversation, let’s understand what the conversation is about and what sorts of decisions are being asked to be made. At that point we then say look ladies and gentlemen I agree with this or I don’t agree with this and thank you very much we will continue as we are,” said Chilima.
Chilima said there has not been any conversation with DPP on alliance.
The vice-president said he has not met President Mutharika “even to discuss anything of national interest.”
But Chiima said UTM would want to engage on what would be a good alliance.
“We need to think about the desired state of the country, how do we get there and who leads us there. There has to be a semblance of convergence of our manifestos.
“If not, the alliance will collapse . If we fail to get into meaningful alliance, we will go it alone. We are giving alliances a chance. But if nothing comes up we will go it alone,” said Chilima.
Collective agenda
Commentators have backed the idea for parties to enter into electoral alliances or coalition to enhance national unity, especially where parties going into them have similar philosophies, ideologies and focus.
But they caution that such electoral political combinations can be toxic and compromise democracy where the parties go in with self-serving interests.
In its editorial comment, Malawi’s daily newspaper, The Nation, stated that for a healthy democracy, electoral alliances should not be mooted merely to win an election.
“Rather, they should be supported by followers of the respective parties and promote a collective agenda that is in sync with helping in economic growth and development,” reads the editorial comment.
The paper states that alliances should serve the best interests of Malawians and ensure a better nation.
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l don’t understand how this can work out. Chilima is been accusing his boss that he is corrupted and other things. Should we say that he was power hungry? APM is not bad as he campaigned against DPP? he is confusing his followers Chilima. Grow up when making decisions
I better vote for MCP
Malawians, lets unite . We dont want dpp in this country. UTM was my hope and hope for many. This talk is of joining with dpp has left me and others who have been behind utm disappointed therefore am out. No need for fresh elections let APM continue then we have fresh elections 2024
Apa nde Chilima waonetserAtu kuti naye ali ngati Atupele opanda nzeru. Like for real!? Uluza ma vote a youth and your career will not go up at all. So ku dpp akupangani promise u president anthu angati? ATUPELE vice inuso Vice. Saulosi Khala serious. You are above this bullshit. If so my vote you are loosing. Bolaso MCP alliance. Mind you the lomwe dpp gurus are also waiting for same leadership
chilima knows DPP very well,its all hide n sik game.n the other thing ,achilimawa undine ,ndine,ndine ndineyo ,unawachulukira .
I don’t see anything wrong Chilima making alliance with DPP after all he is the son. MCP without any Alliance is going to take it this time. Some one tried to reveal the secret of MCP on other comment, and I quote,, it looks like Chakwera can win this time because he once go to Israel pray for the Case and here we have the results of his prayers, now it can also happen that he will win this Election.
If really God want Malawi to change, he will make it regardless ma alliance akhalapo or ayi, I can tell you kuti in your eyes, you may see MCP as a very handful people because of what Chilima is saying, let me tell you the polling day is when God can do his miracles by changing hearts of men and women even from other parties to vote for Chakwera and MCP, we are talking about if God want Malawi as he has much wanted to, he will do anything possible to make it happen. So let Chilima make alliance with his Father, and let MCP be as it is.
musamampangile zochita mulungu pliz.Nanga zomwe mukufunazo zitakanika muzizati MULUNGU walephera?
osaiwala mulungu amakonda aliyesetu even omwe inu mumawaona kuti ndi oipa
Kodi Mulungu pano akusapota MCP?….shame of thinking
Mulungu wake Yehovah kapena Allah poti ku MCP aliko awiri
Hey this is what I have consistently say on this page that Chilima is there just to hold the break away. He should be making tactics to Betray MCP, fortunately MCP realised this. I understand he will be a president in DPP. Which ever way he takes, whether to DPP, to MCP or stand alone will add valves to MCP. Dzanja lalemba odziwa kuwerenga wawona.
I also listened to the interview myself. What has been reported is what Chilima said. Those is doubt watch again and slowly be pausing the interview and check word by word of the quotes and see that this is very very correct reporting
Why Alliance with another Political Party. Enter in Alliance with the Malawian Electorate by presenting Your Development Manifesto. If you are interested in Alliance , the motive is not The Welfare of Mother Malawi but positions in the curropted government to be formed from that Alliance.
Let him make alliance with DPP and give a free ride for MCP.
This guy is too arrogant and ambitious.He is like Atupele Muluzi.How can you go to alliance with a party that has brought more divisions in Malawi.The party that denied the will of Malawians.What a waste of time on such person to think that he can govern us.
Is it wrong to be ambitious? Mavi yako!
It is MCP and UTM that has denied the will of the people. These two parties failed to change the constitution and then used underhand methods to change the President and Parliamentary Elections Act. The two will not have PEACE. Malawians have realised how dictatorial these two parties are. The corrupt ConCourt judges helped them to overturn the presidential results. MCO and UTM alira sanati.
izi ndiye zofunika . ife timafuna choncho osati kulowera ku MCP akakupha ukawawinitsa kumeneko chifukwa azaona ndi mmene waapangira adad its a good move god bless you if you will do that may god guide always
Bwana mwavutika limodzi ndi bwana chakwera kuwafukulira amalawi onse chilungamo chomwe anthu pipa mitima kuposa imfa anachibisa mwachokera kutali bwana ndipempho langa kt mungovana nawo mupange umodzi basi ine vote ndakupatsani kale popanda kampeni yanu bwana zikomo
aaaaaaaaaa Malume khalani serious pliz.Takambani chimodzi choti dziko limve osati apa mwagwila apa mwagwila,nthawi ikuthatu iyi.May ndi pompano
MCadet kunyamula thumba la misomali. Wazindikira liti kuti tivotanso iwe nyapapi.
Associating with who ?DPP ? thieves ,my foot !forget about my vote ,i better vote for MCP.
Mkanapeza headline ina osati iyiyi akulu coz from both interviews which SKC he had with Zodiak and Times he has said they are in talks with MCP not what your writing here. Chone mkamalemba try to find the headline that suits the article better not brainwashing people.
Exactly, I listened to the interviews too. I wonder why they are twisting the truth.
Listen to the interview again and read this article you will find that Nyasa Times has quoted Chilima verbatim or to say word by word. Its correct reporting , this is what Chilima said in his own words – listen or watch again on Zodiak, you an get it on YouTube; This is credible reporting no quoting out of context
Vizungu mukuvimanya bakulu?
Northerners can’t go with Chilima into DPP camp , forget about northern region Votes once u go back to DPP .
Northerners need real change not just rhetoric in DPP, nepotism, corruption, regionalism, killing innocent people 22 on 20 July, quota system , Albinos and the list goes on and on.
We will all unite in the North and vote for MCP . We can’t vote for DPP evil party.
@Northerner defender, inu timadziwa kale kuti ndinu anthu odzikonda kuyambila kale and we don’t give a damn about your votes bcoz they don’t matter to us. Actually you can’t say anything about nepotism, tribalism and regionalism as you’re the master minders of these vices. Quota system can’t end coz we want to correct the mistakes which you made.
The votes of the entire Northern region can be swallowed by Phalombe n Chiradzulu nde kagweleni uko!
True. The other regions also want to have their people educated and working in Constitutional Court/High Court and Supreme Court etc. Sikuti anzeru ndi inu nokha. Quota system will have stay. Mwatipondeleza kokwanira. End of MZUZU Corner.
Northerners have a CHOICE. You need to form your own party. You thought 50+1 is going to help you. It will not. Mwagwa nayo pamenepa. Keep making loud noises and following others. Even MCP does not have your best interests. 50+1 means the north should forget EVER having a national party. The problem is tsankho ndikusayamika. The North holds most high profile positions in government but people from the region are not satisfied. That’s why you can’t have a mainstream party. You had ConCourt judges. Most judges are from the north. Chief Justice from north. Speaker of Parliament from the north. Army Chief from the north. Senior NGO leaders from the north. Senior positions in multinational agencies in Malawi (IMF, World Bank, UN) from the north. It is because of the nasty, vindictive and greedy attitudes that you can’t establish a national party.
Well it’s Unfortunate that because of Pride ….the Probability of an Opposition Alliance is very low….Why cant people be humble ….Why do some people want Us to believe it’s only Them who have the Best intentions for the Country ….As if they have just dropped from heaven ….I mostly Blame the Urban Voter …Rural People stick to their Parties….koma a mtauni kutengeka too much …Lero Nankhumwa atangotuluka DPP ….Nayamba kuyinyoza ,Napanga chake chipanga…Muona anthu a mtauni momwe atatengekere……Mark my Words what he is telling Us here is that there will not be any Alliance ….that if DPP offers him to Stand on their Ticket he would Gladly Accept ….No Hate ,just saying it as it is ….
Iwe akumudzi savota chifukwa cha mfundo koma chifukwa chakuti ndi chipani cha mtundu wanga makamaka anthu akumwera ndi pakati, chilungamo ukuchidziwa
Chilima. Don’t turn yourself and your supporters down keep moving on, stand as UTM president in this fresh Election l believe you can do it alone even without alliance. Do not look people that are wearing MCP colour do not look people that are wearing DPP colour, it’s only number of people, not number of votes. Remember votes is in the heart of people just go ahead and stand as UTM president you will do it.
Akuluakulu akamanena kuti munthu uyu ndi opusa sizitanthauza kuti ndi osauka ,osaoneka bwino ,osasamba ,osaphunzira ayi ii munthu opusa ndi munthu amene amapanga ziganizo chifukwa chokhumudwa komanso opupuluma pochita zinthu ,ndi munthu amene amadziyenereza kwambiri ndi munthu amene amaganiza kuti akhoza kuthana ndi wina aliyense mu njira ina ili yonse ndiye kupusa kumeneko . Chilima dzichepetse bwerera kwa atate ako he is ready to forgive if only you open yourself to him and be the first to take the first step DPP IS WAITING FOR YOU .
We shall live in interesting times.
Mutharika to show that you are real Dad,welcome him back to the DPP. However he should first of all be sent to zomba mental Hospital for medical examination. If he will be ok ,then appoint him to be the Manager at Chibukhu Company or be the Regional Governor in the South or DC in Nsanje where Mia cones from.
Forgive him and look forward.
He did not mean it. He know who he can partner with, but doesn’t want to pre-empt the deal.
Useless comments,why chilima should do alliance with people who don’t want to work with him. My fellow malawians, don’t just comment coz u don’t like Chilima.If there is a capable person to provide good governance,it is chilima for now. Hating chilima will not help malawians. Malawians try to learn once when things are happening. Chilima was already in DPP you know what happened.The problem it’s not chilima but dpp.Do not force chilima into useless alliances.If Malawians wants development,they can choose any leader they think can bring development to our country.Both UDF and DPP have ruled Malawi for more than 25yrs, the country still gets into povery.What is your problem,may be you don’t know what is development.Frankly speaking wether chilima enters alliance or not should be voted tont form a new government.Other wise poverty continues.For those malawians who are tired with poverty , will vote chilima. It is better to lose alone than having an alliance of positions.Malawi need a wise and visionary leader.Osati achina Munthalika.These they have miserably failed to get malawians out of poverty.
The understanding is different, according to Chilima, he said alliance is possible with any party whether dilipi,emusipi,afodi,piping,mbakuwaku etc,he didn’t say he will settle for dipipi pena tizivesa
I can’t follow Chilima to DPP which means am mad, a person with 5senses can’t dine with DPP.
Party of evil , killing 22 people on 20 July, killing albinos, Cadet zikwanje, stealing taxes as if there will be no tomorrow. Corruption, nepotism, regionalism it’s all in DPP blood.
Any way I choose to differ , I rest my case.
Politicians must have ideologies and values which they must protect at all cost. You cant join an alliance just for the sake of votes while compromising on your values. Chilima told us a thousand about the evils of DPP now he wants their votes in order to be in Government. Dont forsake your values. If all parties form one big alliance then where is democracy? Or is it Chilimas trick to attract votes for blind DPP voters? The alliance between UDF and DPP should not be celebrated but should frown at. It legitimised regionalism. And if UTM and Congress form one alliance then regionalism would be cemented harder. This shouldn’t be celebrated.
Regionalism was planted by MCP, and they still love and guard it with passion. Remember how teachers were chased to go and teach in their region in 1989? What was the reason or objective?
Peter Mutharika ndi munthu wa pheee. He is the first calm, polite and democratic president for our country. But evil people have always taken advantage of his coolness. They have caused violence, looted, destroyed businesses, called him names and plotted in order to get power. They have bribed MPs and changed our laws without any respect to our CONSTITUTION. Today HRDC, Speaker wa Gotani, Chief Justice, ConCourt judges you will all not be able to SLEEP.
Now you see how politicians behave? His followers has been castigating DPP willy nilly nde atangomva kuti Chilima has gone back to DPP adzatani?
It has always been said on numerous occasions kuti there is no permanent enemies in politics
When our constitution was raped by opposition MPs, no-one stood up. None of the people in the judiciary, in academia, in media. They kept quiet and clapped hands even when it was obvious the judges erred and Speaker Gotani was biased.
People don’t know anything about c
chilima is getting paid to do wht is doing now by ddp. Take it or leave p
What has annoyed many of us is to see Speaker Gotani and the opposition changing our electoral law without any respect to our Constitution. The opposition needs to be PUNISHED. They have broken all the rules. The ConCourt judges abibidwa. Eat the bribe but mtendere simuupeza.
You have now realised that you have caused this country great harm. With your friends and relatives you have attempted to destroy our country. You will never find peace.
Now you’re confusing us or you’re being political prostitute. Alliance with Dpp same party rigged elections really? Come on guys this is not on. Just suggesting dpp is already a crime against supporters. Otherwise ask followers whether thats what we want or not.
For the first time Chilima has made sense to me. We need to swallow our pride, put Malawi first. Peter and Chilima had a good thing going until jealous ambitious people in DPP drove a wedge between them. Peter must realise that he desperately rstely needs Chilima as much as Chilima desperately need Peter. Chilima is the future, Peter is the present. Please DPP, UTM and UDF, dont sell us to MCP please. We cannot go back to those dark days. MCP once in power, they are intolerant, they will do everything, and l mean everything to annihilate all parties and take us back to one party system. Swallow your pride, unite, lets get Malawi working again.
Mukufuna kukapembedza basi VOTE yanga ndachotsa sindidzavota nkomwe
Saulosi and UTM must be out of your mind even considering an alliance with DPP. Are you blind to the evils of DPP? Don’t you dare make such an alliance. Curse be upon such an alliance!!!!
If Chirima is aGod fearing person.He must repent and go back to his father Peter otherwise he will have no peace of mind through out his life.He must reflect to what he had done to Peter and see how he has been left free misbehaving, castigating elders, teaching the youth to disrespect elders.
This IS not ABOUT GOING BACK TO APOLOGISE BUT TO WORK TOGETHER FOR A NEW VIBRANT UNITED MALAWI. The Stage is set to create a Malawi United in all aspects. We all need to see what is good for all give the leaders a chance to do it. Let them come together for the wellbeing of all. Sacrifices will need to be made to achieve this he who Sacifices for his country will be blessed and remembered forever.
GO TO DPP, AND LET APM LEAVE THE WHEEL FOR YOU IN 2020. I AGREE WITH YOU CHILIMA
THAT’S GENTLE MAN’S WAY OF THINKING
UTM and MCP you will never be forgiven for conniving to change our laws without regard to the constitution. Mutha ngati makatani nonse.
Even if we had Referendum Today on 50 + 1 ….It would Carry the Day …..Why are you So Scared….Mutoopa Atupele kuti atenga Boma Lomwe munaba kwa Atate Ake ?Our neighbours Zambia use 50+1 ….Now no one can Win elections Relying only on their Tribal Belt ….
SARA your are a kangaroo
Chilima, you connived with ConCourt judges in order for you to win the electoral case and Speaker Gotani to change electoral laws with no regard to the constitution. Now you’ve gone mad. You do not know what to do.
Pumbwa wapengatu lero. Kunena ichi, kunena icho. He caused all these problems which will cost SO MUCH money. Lero zoyankhula zosagwira.
‘Juju anamwalira osabweleranso iye ankakonda akaledzela kuuza anthu, ndipanga alliance’. Ma sachet otchedwa Black Power siabwino😂😂
Ok.
Kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
Bisalomu amalizire u vice womwe anasankhuda ndi kangaroo concourt. LiCP +Stagecoach all ndi breakdown kale. Eeee koma team leader wa stagecoach midoli, ati akumamwa nawo ethanol yemwe akumwedwayi akatero amasinjira ndi ganja, black power, khanundu, ndi chamba