Make Malawi first, Chilima sets conditions for alliance
UTM Party president and State vice-president Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima has set conditions for him and his party in discussing any political allaunce, saying it will be about making Malawi first.
Chilima said his party is already in alliance with some parties such as People’s Progressive Movement (PPM) of Mark Katsonga and Mafunde but that if it were to go into grand alliance with other major parties, he would welcome such as long as they have a common agenda.
There have been fevered speculation that UTM could discuss with main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was panic-willing to lure Chilima in the alliance.
But Chilima said: “We are always ready to work with others as long as we can accommodate one another. It will also depend on our motivation for that alliance. So, yes, an alliance is possible.”
The UTM Party leader, who is the country’s vice-president after being reinstated by the Constitutional Court which annulled last year’s presidential election, tinsisted that UTM will be there “whether there will be an alliance or not. The party has leaders.”
While UTM is open to talk to DPP, MCP and other parties, Chilima declined to shed more light on what role he would play should the alliance materialise.
“If we are going into an alliance and I front a position for myself, I should be faulted,” he said, adding “If we start by placing leaders, the agenda will be lost.”
Continued Chilima: “ Let us discuss first what we want for this nation, how we will achieve it, and finally which leaders will take us there.”
Political analyst Mustapha Hussein of Chancellor College, a constituent college of the University of Malawi, cautioned UTM and DPP to tread careful with their supporters if they are to enter into alliance talks.
“Well, we are yet to see how this will end, it is well and good as long as there is clarity on the objectives. It will not be surprising because we know the leader of the UTM came from DPP.
“However, there is need for both sides to consult their supporters otherwise if it is only done at the top without input or without the blessings of the supporters then it might be a weak alliance and some may end up leaving the parties. We expect more stories of such alliances as we move close to the time the court ordered for fresh elections,” he said in quotes reported by Malawi News on Saturday.
Commenting on the issue, social and political commentator Emily Mkamanga said: “It is high time the leadership in Malawi took Malawi first. This can even stop the problem of abject poverty from escalating. In fact, when looking at the worsening poverty in the country, one wonders whether the leadership takes Malawi first.”
During the campaign for the May 21 2019 elections, both MCP and UTM went to town castigating the DPP leadership, arguing it is a government that is marred by corruption, nepotism, tribalism and “thieves”.
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I support DPP-UTM alliance…go for that Dr. SCK and we will vote for you otherwise you better stand alone we will still be on your side Sir more especially on elections day koma zopita ku MCP’zo nde ayi
Chilima is back to the VP position which he got through electoral fraud in 2014 together with DPP.
I doubt if he has trully changed and if he really wants to put Malawi first.
I have been following the prior to and the aftermath of the elections. From the way things moved before the elections the DPP might have invested much in destroying the strong holds of their enemies especially the UTM who seemed to enjoy the favour from Malawians, at least across the country and not only in one region.
DPP was smart it did not concentrate only on presidential but much on the stronger shadow MPs. This DPP move didn’t spare Atupele. Atupele thought it was obvious to win so his thinking put him in a slumber mode. He slept. For DPP, by destroying this UDF head they were destroying the eastern mighty party and penetrated the region without much threat. In fact, they are at home now because UDF has certainly disappeared with it’s leader. If Chilima had stood he was going to be in the same situation like Atupele.
I tell you, DPP planned well. In fact, very well. DPPs plan worked. I cannot leave this page without saluting it’s masterly move. The same move is being applied to the Mec Ansah. I strongly believe that Ansah was ready to move after the court ruling against MEC. She clearly said that she was ready to quit if the court proves it so. The court has but Ansah has changed the story to the point of giving the country the time line of the next elections. Ansah must be cheating herself thinking that we have forgotten what she said. Or else she is a liar by birth which makes her unfit for a judge, of the supreme court for that matter. Or, maybe, just maybe, could be that DPP is behind her change of plans or thought. Just trying to connect pieces together that it was APM who said to be going for the appeal. Could DPP have pushed Ansah in the corner ?
Giving the Malawians two contradictory stands it is an insult. MEC is appealing to have the concourt ‘s ruling quashed. Yet in the other hand MEC is giving us a feasible timetable for the elections. Where is your stand MEC? Fresh elections or the concourt’s ruling quashed? I thought MEC made up of brains? Please stand on something solid.
Giving us a timetable is a not wise enough considering that MEC doesn’t accept the concourt’s ruling. Again, if MEC takes the position to handle the elections how can they convince the nation that this time atound they will be professional because for them to accept to take care of the fresh elections it will automatically mean that the Last May ones were indeed a sham, just to borrow the language of the court.
I hear that many if not all commissioners but one will be finishing their term in June. Now their timetable talks about October. Whaaaaaaat ? Ansah herself isn’t October but June. Most probably, that is if MEC and DPP connived in the past immediately past elections then there must be lots of work behind the scenes to work together again. Just some deeper thoughts. The best way to free the nation is for Ansah to resign. It isn’t a sign of weakness but of wisdom. Don’t mind if the two terms, weakness and wisdom, don’t directly antonym each other. Nevertheless, it will certainly be weak to resign but sign of wisdom in Ansah/MEC and respect to Malawi.
When we get back to Chilima and Chakwera, any alliance will not work between the two. It’s obvious that each wants the presidency. Leave alone their supporters. Therefore, the best move so far could be to it alone. It will be lovely to see them meet as the last two standing in case none get 50.1. I strongly pray that 50.1 passes not because it is the best but it is the lesser evil. If one of them doesn’t make it then they can mobilise their supporters to rally behind the team they want.
Let me be open here, alliance now? It’s going to break some good supporters trust terribly .
Which spirit to follow? Each of the four camps; DPP, MEC, MCP and UTM (by alphabet ) must remember that Malawi can even be better without them. That’s the spirit. Malawi first
You were number 3 in the last elections and perhaps with more votes added to you! You think you can bully everyone around you. After all you only have 4 members of parliament and you still believe you are a strong contender! Please go solo with the alliance you already have simple. Font cause other parties to fear you. All what we know is that UTM is simply and DPP camp.
chakwela have 79 MPs why not in state house
All what Chilima is saying is that he wants to lead as his message portrays! My advise to political parties Is that please leave this guy alone! To say right things is different from doing them. What he says is true but that’s what happens in very negotiation. My view is that the guy has until now not yet found strong reasons that compelled to join politics. We need to first see a political leader in Saulos Chilima not just a critics.
SKC: The best noise I have heard from any leader since the ruling. May it translate into real action Sire! Otherwise this “attitude” of forgetting who hires and pays politicians wages has left Malawi poorer than it was before the dawn of what’s termed “democracy”. Btw, “minister” is defined as “servant” how many are actually serving, or served is another story..
Why is he talking about an alliance? Loser
Ndikanakhala chilima,ndikanadziwa kuti pano amalawi ambili diso liri pa iye kufuna kuvotera.many malawians.Koma ngati apange agwirizano ndi DPP,eshiii uku timati kutaya bomwetamweta.More people will opt for MCP.Please a Chilima iyi ndi thawi yanu…….koma mukhoza kusemphana nayo makapanga ma decisions ofoyira.DPP anthu ambiri sakufuna kuvaso za dzina limeneli pachibwerezachi……..achuluka chinyengo
Mphwanga ukunamatu. This stupid conclusion can only come from a stupid mind. Who said DPP has no followers?
This alliance things will just confuse and bring more trouble to people.
Let the favourite wins.
We know our leaders are Power hungry.
After elections the alliance wont stand.
The level of shallowness in the comments below is breathtaking, i guess SKC is making people anxious!
Some of Us are just being Realistic…If we are Going to Use first Past the Post …Again …..It makes Sense to Form Alliances Now but if We are going to Use 50+ 1 ….then Alliances will be with number one and two….Sinanga titomuziwa Chilima kuti Sangalole kukhala Vice in an Alliance ….
aChilima mukunanezo ndi zoona ,koma musadzitukumule kwambiri chifukwa Mulungu amadana ndi anthu ngati inu ofuna kukhala pa mwamba nthawi zonse ,kulakhula ndi kophweka kwambiri koma kuchita kutengera chifuno ,chifundo ndinso kutsikimiza mtima ngakhale pakhale zobvuta .mukatengera masewera Chikomeni Chirwa adzalamula dziko lino pomwe inu ndi chakwera mudzatsala muli maso kweve,pakamwa pali pululu ngati mwadwala nthenda youmitsa ziwalo , ndiye musamale chifukwa DPP siikugona tulo
Malawi is pathetic. With this Calibre of leadership we only are going to go in reverse gear. Chilima is too self centered. His interview when he first got on the public scene and asked what will happen if he lost he said Ife sitinalepherepo kanthu. Now he is getting to know life. I have now seen him refer to himself as ine. Matama adzamutsitsa yekha uyu. Anakula mofewa heavy sadziwa umphawi umene uli ndi amalawi. That is why people still respect illiterate Bakili. Because timamvana. Awa amufunse mutharika ngati amamvana ndi maganizo ndi umphawi wathu.
Chilima matama kwambiri I thought this guy is cleaver. He is a blue cadet.
Bamusi you can’t even spell, you need spell check!
If you find success does it mean that your children cannot be leaders. We need a good leader with vision period. It does not matter if he came from a wealthy background or not. Leaders never refer to themselves as “ine” they say “we” ife. We learnt this reading shakespeare form 4 kalelo. Why compete if you think you are going to lose. Even maflames amati takonzeka tiwina. This man of the people Muluzi is the reason why the nation has sunk into corruption and poverty.
There is Always Turbulence in the MCP ….The MCP is Finished…As Usual …There will be leakages ….Stories ….People will Get Money ….Phones will be Tapped. ..WHY ? To Divert Attention from the Real Issues ….Right Now …EYES must be on 50 + 1 ….That’s the Goal for those who Wish this Country Well….The MCP have got the Numbers to Push this ….Who will try to Sabotage this…You know who ….In a 50 + 1 scenerio Number 1 and 2 face Each other in the Second Round ndi Pomwe ma Alliance Amatopangidwa…..Sinanga First Round aliyense Amatoona kuti Angamake ……50 +1 ….
@Nalingula I totally agree with you. Your comment is visionary. Let Chilima not cheat people that he holds the card for alliances. Let him go solo. The first round( 2nd in this case) will put him out of race and the competition will be between MCP and DPP. His supporters will choose between the two parties without consulting him and that will signal the beginning of his downward transition or is it trajectory?
Propaganda after propaganda……….the big wigs out there are busy paying these guys out so that UTM & MCP should exchange words,the aim is to weaken the bond of any possible alliance btwn MCP & UTM…….so you pple ain’t seeing this?…..while you are busy exchanging words,DPP has already started campaigning……be vigilant…the hour has come,use your brains not emotions.
Ngati kuli munthu wosadziwa Ndale ndie Ochakwela Kwansundwe amayenela kukaponda momalizila
Kwa Msundwe amayenera kupita koyambilira apanso wachedwa. Zifukwa zako sizifukwa za MCP. Timamufuna atipeze kwa Msundwe kuno dzana not dzulo komabe wachita bwino wabwera than never
Koma-koma eeeh Andale ndi opusitsa.Koma MCP singalamule under chakwela mbamba ndithu
Koma ndani
honestly chilima is not readership type. he is quick to respond to pressing issues without giving it a thought. such people aren’t readership kind.
Leadership not readership. Graduate of Jerusalem Bible College?
ma cadet osaphunzila, they see no difference in Leadership and Readership kikikikikikiki
I don’t know who deceived Arafat that he qualifies as a good leader. Very vulgar, intolerant and myopic. If he was not myopic, he would not have surrounded himself with rejects of other patties. This is not strategic at all. Such a person does not qualify to lead Malawi.
dpp is a party of thieves
Ya this time around leaders must tread carefully otherwise it will backfire
Please every body check out the leaked conversation between Mr Mkaka and Mr kawale that is circulating on social media, VERY DAMAGING to MCP and the conversation gives you a direct window into what is brewing in MCP.
That story is Fake. Utsanamize anthu.
I just did and extremely damaging to MCP. It’s positions that matter to them and does Chakwera know this? Of course he does and this means others will be running the show-just as with APM
FAKE NEWS, I think there is turbulance building in MCP based on the leaked taped conversation between Mkaka and and Kawale,
Take Chilima at your own risk, this man is a certified crook. He used the MCP to get reemployed as VP and the MCP was just used. Open your eyes. Now there is Atupele he know Mia is bloke and can not financing any campaign hence he has worked out a deal with his father to convince Chakwera to take him as running mate. Mia will soon be in the cold
That’s a BIG LIE. Runningmates, we don’t change like Cloths. Mia remains our 2nd in command and our MCP Runningmate in this Re-run Elections. Chakwera can’t just do his things without the Approval of the MCP National Executive Committee.
I love controversy. Feels good.
Joyce Banda is not about leadership, its all about her and elevating her Son Roy Akajuwe Kackale Banda’s status. She will do anything to make his baby boy a “somebody”
Abiti Joyce Banda proved that it’s not about Malawi. WTH is happening, being given Malo kunsanja. JB, Sidik, Gwengwe and Kunkuyu were in PP and destroyed this country. So what greatness are you talking about?
Wolemekezeka a Chilima mfunso ndiloti munapeza vuto Ku DPP chifikwa munapanga chipani chanu ndipo a Malawi anakusatani kodi vuto latha ngati mupita Ku DPP. Anthuwa muwauza zotani.