Katsonga lures Chilima to opposition electoral block for 2019 Malawi watershed polls

August 14, 2018 Wongani Chiuta -Nyasa Times 28 Comments

Vice-President Saulos Chilima who is leading a new political sensation, United Transformation Movement(UTM) has been  persuaded to unite with at least nine opposition parties have so far shown interest in the electoral alliance as the 2019 Tripartite Elections are drawing closer.

Mark Katsonga: Opposition plots 2019 alliance

People’s Progressive Movement (PPM) president Mark Katsonga said the  possible alliance will be a force to oust ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and share same vision to deal with challenges the country is facing, especially unemployment.

He commented on reports doing rounds on social media that he has joined UTM, saying there have been talks with the movement to pull in one direction with other parties with DPP as a “common enemy”.

“DPP has failed Malawians and it is high time it was kicked out of government,” said Katsonga.

“Malawians are suffering and the economy is not ticking,” he added.

UTM secretary general Patricia Kaliati said there is hope of forming an alliance ahead of the polls.

She said Malawians need a government of the people, for the people and by the people, “and not the one we are currently have; of the party, for the party and to the party.”

DPP said it is not moved by the opposition’s strategy, saying if anything, it is a sign that the opposition has respect for the President Peter Mutharika and his party.

Minister of Information and Communications Technology Nicholas Dausi, who is also the government spokesperson, said as government and DPP, they see nothing new in alliances, saying such partnerships have failed in the past.

“Let us wait and see. This means they have respect for DPP as the strongest party in the country. As a party and government, our interest is to develop the country and Malawians are the best judge,” he said.

Since the introduction of multiparty politics in the country, opposition political parties have resorted to forming alliances ahead of elections in a bid to unseat the ruling party.

In the 1999 general elections, MCP made an alliance with Aford, but they lost to the United Democratic Front (UDF) led by Bakili Muluzi.

In 2004, Mgwirizano Coalition comprising MCP, Aford and other smaller parties again failed to dislodge the UDF, whose torchbearer was Bingu wa Mutharika, before he ditched the party to form DPP.

In 2009, MCP and UDF formed an alliance, which also failed to win while, in 2014, Tisintha Alliance, championed by George Nnesa of Mafunde, also worked in vain.

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28 replies on “Katsonga lures Chilima to opposition electoral block for 2019 Malawi watershed polls”

  2. Any coalition without MCP is non – starter. Other smaller parties will not add any value to the coalition.
    In Malawi, coalitions are only possible where tint parties join bigger ones.
    PPM, PETRA, MAFUNDE joined Chakuamba’s Republican Party in 2014. But it made hardly any difference other than increase the fortune of the Republica Party. PPM even paid dearly in its base because people also voted for RP MPs

    For Malawi, only MCP-led or DPP-led coalitions can succeed, but at major cost to smaller partners.

  3. No, MCP was not part of Mgwirizano Coalition. Check your facts again. UDF came first, MCP of John Tembo second and Mgwirizano Coalition of Gwanda Chakwamba third.

    Just correction.

  5. Inu a mcpmunayamba mawinapo, kodi kuwina mumakudziwa zinazi muzichita manyazi mukamayankhula inu ndi a opposition mwina mudikile after twenty years. Pakadali pano muzingothandizila amfumu kuledzela

  9. Mr Katsonga, are you not currently with Joyce Banda on political alliances? Anthunu mwazungulira mitu kwambiri.

  11. YES a opposition need to unite, stand together as one, we have a common enemy, so why cant we fight together as one????? UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE SHALL FALL, mark my words, it is stupid, selfish, greedy to have 10 opposition political parties with same policies for change but fight in seperate camps in small numbers and you will always loose so what is the point ha???? MCP,UDF,PP,AFORD should all join UTM so that we have a MUDSLIDE VICTORY 2019, this time I advise that you all unite and let us fight together for better malawi, YOU SHOULD ALL JOIN UTM, if not then you are a greedy party.

      1. What I see in UTM is greedy. They better join MCP if they want people of this country to trust them. But I can not see UTM doing this. Because they think they are powerful to go into government alone. You’ll be disappointed to see either MCP or dpp winning next year. Watch out musadzati simunauzidwe.

  12. Zaa ziiiii MCP ILI PHEE Anthu aku limbana azipani,. Dont waste time mcp idzawina.God has confused people one against another. Awukilana la 40 lafika.
    MCP Back to power palibe zobera this time

    1. everyone has the right to vote dont impose your chakwera on us! we have our reasons for chilima. youthful, hardworking. Your chakwera waits for the CSO to start shit seems like he doent know his job description as a leader of opposition and approves 4 billion and later after heat from the CSO has a change of heart. Cant trust such a leader. Its time for the youthful successful CEO veep chilima for us buddy.

      1. Where is Chilima coming from? Iweyo dzamuvotere Ife tidzavotera Chakwera, ndichiti chimene Chilima akulankhula chachilendo chime Chakwera sanalankhulepo? Who is sponsoring UTM? Ask him I mean your Chilima he will tell you that it is people in the DPP who are sponsoring him. The same he is calling them Apumbwa, palinzeru pamenepo? Anamize Ena ngati inu osati enafe.

      2. Chilima is a failure. Why did he not resign soon after seeing that he could no change the corruption culture of DPP. Why did he resign from DPP only after knowing that he would not stand as a presidential candidate in the elective convention of DPP. If he was allowed to do so he would not have resigned. So you call this opportunist a good leader? My foot! He is now shouting on top of his voice about the corruption of DPP because he is out; what nonsense. Look at the people surrounding him? Do not cheat us. Between Chilima and APM I would vote for APM.

      3. @ Make Malawi Great: Chilima is a hard worker, yes but not a leader. We need leaders not managers here, pliz! Wachinyamata for what? will chinyamata help to govern or being a leader is what is needed by malawians? Be sober. you seem to hate being imposed on Chakwera but at the same time you want others to follow you to Mr Chilima’s utm? No let people sober up and follow what their hearts tell them. Long live Malawi, Long live democracy!

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