MCP admits failing UTM and coalition allies

The main opposition Malawi Congress Party has issued a stunning public apology to the coalition partners who helped sweep it into power back in 2020 – admitting it failed to live up to its side of the bargain once in office.

Party spokesperson Jessie Kabwira dropped the bombshell during an appearance on Zodiak’s Tiuzeni Zoona programme Sunday morning, telling listeners the party had let down the very allies who helped it topple its rivals.

“There are things we should have handled better. We tell the Malawian nation we have learnt from the mistakes we made,” she admitted candidly on air.

Singling out UTM – once MCP’s closest coalition partner – Kabwira said: “Where we didn’t do well, they should accept our apology.”

She couldn’t resist a swipe at critics, however, adding pointedly: “And they shouldn’t listen to lies.”

The extraordinary mea culpa didn’t stop there – Kabwira went on to apologise to all nine parties that formed part of the original coalition agreement, in a rare admission of failure from a sitting government.

Despite the dramatic climbdown, it’s business as usual at the top, with Kabwira confirming party leader Lazarus Chakwera will remain President of MCP until 2029 at the earliest.

And in a signal the party isn’t ruling out history repeating itself, Kabwira revealed MCP stands ready to strike up fresh coalition deals with other parties ahead of the 2030 election.