Prophet Shepherd Bushiri says Malawi is heading towards a disturbing type of regional fragmentation if politicians continue to form electoral alliances based on regions ahead of the fresh presidential election tentatively set for May 19.
Bushiri (L) speaking to Brian Banda in Times Exclusive interview
The leader of the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) church made the remark in Times Exclusive television interview he had with maverick broadcaster Brian Banda aired on the Times TV Saturday night.
Bushiri said Malawi needs inclusive political party alliances that aims to unify the country, not divide it.
Currently, United Democratic Front (UDF) and governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) —with stronghold in South Region—are in a political alliance ahead of the fresh elections.
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) , with its stronghold in Central Region, and UTM Party, which rules Northern Region, are also in political alliances.
To Bushiri, the political climate of these alliance have a potential to make or break the country.
“The current government has had a big challenge to govern in the North and Central regions because there are reports that their development policies favour Southern Region.
“If you look at the opposition alliance [UTM and MCP], the story is the same. If they get power, they will have challenges to govern Southern Region,” he said.
The ECG leader has since called on political leaders to practice politics of inclusivity for the sake of building the nation.
“We need leaders that should put Malawi first and see nation building as a prime need. The same policies they use to keep their preferred regions happy; they should also extend them to other regions,” he said.
Asked which party is he going to vote for, Bushiri said: “I am for political alliances that unifies the country. Not only that. I need political alliances that will remain intact even after winning elections.
“I am tired of alliances that only aims at winning elections and then, eventually, disbands putting the nation on a turmoil.”
Meanwhile, MCP president Lazarus Chakwera and his UTM counterpart Saulos Chilima—the duo that secured the landmark judgement by the five-judge panel of the High Court of Malawi sitting as the Constitutional Court that nullified the May 21 2019 presidential election on February 3 2020— will formally announce their alliance this week and expected to disclose how they will share power in the event of winning the vote.In the run-up to the annulled presidential election, Chakwera partnered former president Joyce Banda and her People’s Party (PP) as well as the country’s former vice-president Khumbo Kachali and his Freedom Party. The partnership between MCP and the two is still intact.
Bushiri get ready for Coronavirus. No more church services with more than 100 congregants
Utobwa
4 years ago
Bushiri is RIGHT. UTM and MCP is for the centre. Actually, the north as whipped by corrupt judges is escorting the central region – despite the loud mouth of Mtambo, Trapence and HRDC.
Stop those tribalistic sentiments who fear the yardstick you ued over others will soon be used over you. U need to learn and stump out the ignorance you have and stop arresting the Whole Malawi because of your only skill not to check population
True. Those who support UTM and MCP see it as national alliance. But it is basically a central region alliance whose chola is being carried by some northerners. Isn’t this funny.
kkkkkk the alliance is for central region, ambwenu mbweunu akungopelekeza kkkk
Nyekhwed
4 years ago
Bushiri, please shut up, you run away from Malawi because you saw the financial gains in South Africa. You have capitalized on the gullibility of stupid South Africans and made yourself rich………. go away please!!!
So you don’t believe governance based on general inclusiveness is the right thing to do?I think that’s what the man is saying regardless of his personal endeavours what he says resonates with truth…
Mtete
4 years ago
I am surprised Bushiri thinks MCP/UTM Alliance is mainly for the Centre and North. Both parties have substantial following throughout the country.
Maybe DPP/UDF alliance could be said to be mainly for the South with the former being popular in Mulanje, Thyolo, Chiradzulu and, perhaps Mwanza while the latter being a Balaka, Machinga and Mangochi. Zomba allegiance is anyone’s guess.
Kodi mwayamba ndale a prophet? Just stick to your money laundering please.
It’s not Bushiri who is saying Mcp is center and UTM for north rather it is the reporter who has said this. Bushiri only said the alliances are regional based
paja munthu akanena zoona makhala mdani wanu kkk no wonder as a nation we are still poor.
stupid thinking
atusaye
4 years ago
Bushiri is very right!!!! malawi wagawikana tiyen tivomereze even ma alliance achitikawa it shows that the country has divided am with you MAJOR ONE…
K.kagalu.
4 years ago
Sometimes we need to be sure of what we’re trying to say though try means you may be right or goofed,I’m trying to understand the politics the way how Mr Bushiri has identify it, much on the alliance,,,, there might besome blind identification in Mr Bushiri though not harmful to his knowledge but to his role as the one who has explained more of how the alliance would be,, first he has missed the very much reason why the alliances now, the answer is just very simple he knows. Why this party has gone into an alliance with this one,… Read more »
MCP, UTM, Umozi Party, PP, FP is a national party not a regional one. It has heavy weights from all districts of Malawi. Look around you and see the members. The alliance expects more DPP heavy weights to join very soon.
Don Dada
4 years ago
MCP and UTM is a national alliance Bushiri, not a regional one. That’s where you are wrong
To govern by regions is a personal choice, it is the leaders decision to reach out o everyone ad he/she will be accepted. Bingu managed to be elected by all regions, unfortunately power went to his head and he abused the good will of the people. People are will to support a person who has their interest at heart
My view is that for one to govern all regions.Unify people.How to do it stop policies that favor region tribe.For example appointment of ministers,high civil servants positions appointees in embassies contracts quota system, district city town councils not having many in one region like the current situation in 1994 when Dr Banda left there were 9 districts in the centre with 35,000 square km with high population and also 10 district councils in the south with 10 districts with about 31,000 square km with of course high population with a slight margin compared to central what has made the udf… Read more »
Currently it is not easy to come up with alliances that are not regional based. The solution to the challenge of regionalism lies in how whichever alliance gets to power will come up with unifying policies, and of course, implementation of the same. I only hope that political leaders have heard the cry of the people of Malawi, and that they will begin to implement development policies on merit!
People of God, why you are confused with every speech from Major 1. We need to be in spirit otherwise its not easy to interpret and understand every wise word from his mouth. Here Bushiri simply says He need a National Alliance to win the fresh coming elections. Now its your responsibility to define what is NATIONAL ALLIANCE. PLEASE, PLEASE ALWAYS REMEMBER NEVER FIGHT AGAINST SOMEONE WHO DON’T FIGHT, BECAUSE BY DOING SO YOU FIGHT AGAINST GOD AND YOU WILL NEVER WIN THE BATTLE.
Private practice lawyer Tamanda Chokhotho hired by the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has said fresh presidential elections will proceed as ordered...
Bushiri get ready for Coronavirus. No more church services with more than 100 congregants
Bushiri is RIGHT. UTM and MCP is for the centre. Actually, the north as whipped by corrupt judges is escorting the central region – despite the loud mouth of Mtambo, Trapence and HRDC.
Stop those tribalistic sentiments who fear the yardstick you ued over others will soon be used over you. U need to learn and stump out the ignorance you have and stop arresting the Whole Malawi because of your only skill not to check population
MCP and UTM alliance is national to those who support it. To me it’s an alliance for political parties that are dominant in the centre and north.
Koma awa! Iwe ndi Ansah, ndinu amodzi nzeru zopelewela
True. Those who support UTM and MCP see it as national alliance. But it is basically a central region alliance whose chola is being carried by some northerners. Isn’t this funny.
kkkkkk the alliance is for central region, ambwenu mbweunu akungopelekeza kkkk
Bushiri, please shut up, you run away from Malawi because you saw the financial gains in South Africa. You have capitalized on the gullibility of stupid South Africans and made yourself rich………. go away please!!!
So you don’t believe governance based on general inclusiveness is the right thing to do?I think that’s what the man is saying regardless of his personal endeavours what he says resonates with truth…
I am surprised Bushiri thinks MCP/UTM Alliance is mainly for the Centre and North. Both parties have substantial following throughout the country.
Maybe DPP/UDF alliance could be said to be mainly for the South with the former being popular in Mulanje, Thyolo, Chiradzulu and, perhaps Mwanza while the latter being a Balaka, Machinga and Mangochi. Zomba allegiance is anyone’s guess.
Kodi mwayamba ndale a prophet? Just stick to your money laundering please.
It’s not Bushiri who is saying Mcp is center and UTM for north rather it is the reporter who has said this. Bushiri only said the alliances are regional based
Chilima got 339591 votes from North, 365269 votes from centre and 314202 votes from South. then someone saying Chilima has base only in the North?
paja munthu akanena zoona makhala mdani wanu kkk no wonder as a nation we are still poor.
stupid thinking
Bushiri is very right!!!! malawi wagawikana tiyen tivomereze even ma alliance achitikawa it shows that the country has divided am with you MAJOR ONE…
Sometimes we need to be sure of what we’re trying to say though try means you may be right or goofed,I’m trying to understand the politics the way how Mr Bushiri has identify it, much on the alliance,,,, there might besome blind identification in Mr Bushiri though not harmful to his knowledge but to his role as the one who has explained more of how the alliance would be,, first he has missed the very much reason why the alliances now, the answer is just very simple he knows. Why this party has gone into an alliance with this one,… Read more »
MCP, UTM, Umozi Party, PP, FP is a national party not a regional one. It has heavy weights from all districts of Malawi. Look around you and see the members. The alliance expects more DPP heavy weights to join very soon.
MCP and UTM is a national alliance Bushiri, not a regional one. That’s where you are wrong
MCP and UTM is not a national alliance at all and if they win, they it won’t be easy to govern the southern region
You are lying……think before commenting
Its a national alliance
It’s a central region alliance (Chakwera and Chilima) are from central region.
100% right
To govern by regions is a personal choice, it is the leaders decision to reach out o everyone ad he/she will be accepted. Bingu managed to be elected by all regions, unfortunately power went to his head and he abused the good will of the people. People are will to support a person who has their interest at heart
My view is that for one to govern all regions.Unify people.How to do it stop policies that favor region tribe.For example appointment of ministers,high civil servants positions appointees in embassies contracts quota system, district city town councils not having many in one region like the current situation in 1994 when Dr Banda left there were 9 districts in the centre with 35,000 square km with high population and also 10 district councils in the south with 10 districts with about 31,000 square km with of course high population with a slight margin compared to central what has made the udf… Read more »
No no no it is not a national alliance its a regional alliance. Bushiri is very right
MCP and UTM are not a national party please. They are basically a Central region with some support from the north.
True,malawi needs unity not politics
EXACTLY KULIBE KULOLERANA
Currently it is not easy to come up with alliances that are not regional based. The solution to the challenge of regionalism lies in how whichever alliance gets to power will come up with unifying policies, and of course, implementation of the same. I only hope that political leaders have heard the cry of the people of Malawi, and that they will begin to implement development policies on merit!
People of God, why you are confused with every speech from Major 1. We need to be in spirit otherwise its not easy to interpret and understand every wise word from his mouth. Here Bushiri simply says He need a National Alliance to win the fresh coming elections. Now its your responsibility to define what is NATIONAL ALLIANCE. PLEASE, PLEASE ALWAYS REMEMBER NEVER FIGHT AGAINST SOMEONE WHO DON’T FIGHT, BECAUSE BY DOING SO YOU FIGHT AGAINST GOD AND YOU WILL NEVER WIN THE BATTLE.