Ties that bind Chakwera and Chilima: Tonse leader says ‘no one-term Malawi president’

May 31, 2020 Mike Fiko –Nyasa Times 75 Comments

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president Lazarus Chakwera and Tonse Alliance presidential torchbearer Lazarus Chakwera has said he would not be in power for only five years of his first term, saying the alliance will be reviewing the contents of their partnership if he win the fresh election due this June.

Chakwera: We have not agreed on the composition of Tonse government and my Cabinet

Chakwera was speaking on Times Television on Sunday in a programme titled  ‘Times Special’.

In the interview programme, host Brian Banda asked MCP leader to clarify on speculations that the deal with his running mate Saulos Chilima, the country’s estranged Vice-President—who is also UTM Party president— means there is rotational leadership arrangement and that he would succeed him after his term expires in 2025 even though he would be allowed by the Constitution to seek fresh mandate.

In a public rally last week at Njamba Freedom Park in Blantyre, Chilima said he would be the alliance’s next presidential candidate after Chakwera in line with their rotational leadership arrangement, assuing MCP president wins the election.

During the recorded interview, Banda asked Chakwera if he is going to be a “one-term president.”

In his response, Chakwera–a cleric who served as Malawi Assemblies of God president before joining frontline politics in 2013– said: “That’s not true and nobody has said that.”

He said it has not been decided when he would step down, but pointed out that it is not a question of “if” he wins but “when he wins.”

Chakwera said together with Chilima, they have “strengths that we can complement each other in serving Malawians.”

He added: “We form a synergy that will truly serve Malawi.”

However, the MCP presidential hopeful said they will be reviewing the terms of the Tonse Alliance deal.

“Whats is a problem serving one term and what is a problem not serving one term,” said Chakwera.

“We must focus in making sure that Malawians get served,” he added.

Banda also asked Chakwera on speculations that the nine-party Tonse Alliance have already shared posts particularly the  Cabinet positions and that it will be a power-sharing government with Chilima.

He denied such assertions.

Put to him that Chilima already disclosed during the  public rally that  sesides being Vice-President, he will also serve as minister of Finance, Chakwera said the UTM leader was merely expressing his interest and its not a done deal.

“Dr Chilima and I will sit down and work out things when time comes. He has a right to express his interest,” he said.

Pressed on whether they two discussed about Chilima being the country’s purse keeper, Chakwera said “we haven’t.”

But he said Chilima’s skills have been grossly under-utilised by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration led by President Peter Mutharika.

“I am saying we will use him where he is best suited,” said Chakwera, highlighting that Chilima is an asset and that he would enact laws that empowers the office of the Vice President within the first 90 days of his tenure.

He continued: “You must remember that a vice president is part of Cabinet. You cannot say I will be this, forever. So if I express that desire, there is nothing wrong with that.”

Chakwera said if he ascends to power in the fresh presidential elctions, his administration is not going to be a one-man show or two-man show, saying they will do consultations.

“We want to work so closely together to serve because that has been my modus operandi in my ministry life,” said Chakwera.

Chakwera said he does not intend to concentrate power within the presidency, rather, he would create and power State systems to ensure that government agencies function in a way that drives the State forward “regardless of whoever is leader at any given time.”

The MCP presidential hopeful said his  philosophy of leadership is the one that serves the people.

“I am going to  be the President that serves people, listens to peoples’ cries, aspirations and people’s problems and tries his best to solve those by service,” he said.

Chakwera also said he will ensure to unite the country which he observed is currently divided

He also said he is going to be “a president that will not smile at corruption”

And he will “respect the rule of the law.”

Chakwera further said he would strive to create strong institutions that will support the State.

Tonse Alliance comprises nine parties including support from human rights activist-turned-politician Timothy Mtambo who is leading Citizens for Transformation Movement.

Observers say Chilima will turn out to be the power behind the throne, controlling the government from the shadows. The reality will probably lie somewhere in between.

Others suggest that political figures close to Chakwera will be unwilling to share power with Chilima’s team, and so will do whatever they can to prevent the Tonse agreement from being enforced. But although there is an element of truth to both assumptions, they are nonetheless misleading.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
Follow us in Twitter

75 replies on “Ties that bind Chakwera and Chilima: Tonse leader says ‘no one-term Malawi president’”

  2. Koma kumekooooooooooooooooooooo! Ife timanena kuti moto mdambomo!!!

    Alliance ya naligonkhwiro, analimata, a bongololo, ananchidwe, nkhunguni zonse momwemo? Kodi mark katsonga akutaniko kumeneko, nanga Kamuzu Chbambo, John chisi? amenewo ndi analigonkhwiro ndikunenawo

  4. How did Chilima convince Chakwera about 1million jobs and reducing fertilizer to 4500? last years these people were disputing this point. Congress sikudziwa komwe ikupita.

  5. Those who know Chakwera very well know that he cant accept to be president for only 5 years. Even 10 years will not satisfy him.
    He clung to the presidency of the Assemblies of God for 24 years by suppressing all potential candidates.
    He is still MCP president today after shoving to political oblivion, all the bright MCP members especially those who had ambitions to be party presidents. People like Jumbe, Kaliwo, Njovuyalema, Kabwira, Daza….etc were eliminated by Chakwera because they were a threat to his presidency.
    If he gets the State Presidency, SKC will be eliminated and he will push for an open term constitutional amendment so that he can rule Malawi for at least two decades.
    Watch this space!

    1. Chakwera was imposed as leader of MCP by John Tembo (the mastermind of MCP killings). Tembo had to pluck Chakwera from church because they are related.

  6. Genesis 11 v.1-9 the builders of the tower of Babel are being scattered. They can no longer speak the same language.

  8. Chilima is being backstabbed now. We told him that he is in a den of lions and they are going to devour him. Apa mwanayu yamulakwira. The goodness with MCP decision are made by MCP not Chakwera and as things stand Chilima is just a guest of Chakwera and the party has nothing to do with him..Chilima should forget when Chakwera says they will discuss once they get there and if they would not agree they will just ignore him. After all his face was not on the ballot neither was his party symbol

    1. macadet zikukuwawani mukamaona mngwirizano wa tonse. Koma mwauponda kwabasi. Mukutulukabe mboama chaka chino. DPP yatopesa kwambiri

  9. Chilima is the Future President of the Alliance like Atupele is the Future President of the DPP Alliance….Any Problem there ? Our Focus Now is to Elect the Right People who will Change Malawi.Just look around You, Zambia ,Mozambique,Tanzania ma Neba Zinthu Zitoyenda….It’s Never Decided Until the Right Time to Announce it ….Remember that ….

  11. This is what the fore sighted and visionary politician, Dr Usi aka Manganya, said at Njamba. Dzuloli he talked of an itchy healing wound. The shortsighted and mono sided thinkers, think he was talking about DPP. Go figure

  12. Bakili Muluzi has declared already that his son is going to be the president of Family Alliance , why don’t you rebuke Muluzi for telling u openly his main agenda of Atupele joining DPP???

    You so concerned with Tonse Alliance but why?? Check in your wardrobe before u start attack other Alliance . Challenge Bakili Muluzi from what he said if you have the balls . Atupele is taking back what you owned his dad Muluzi.

    All DPP Cadets will be swallowed to the extend of Mulhako disappearing from its history..

    While Tonse Alliance with the Leadership of Chakwera/ Chilima will be here to stay .

    1. There nothing wrong for young Muluzi to be the next President as long as it is through the ballot.Like wise a teacher can have son also as teacher monganso Chakwera anali Mbusa today his son Nick is the pastor for at place where chakwera was ministering.in fact Chakwera ‘s position at Church not “presidency” for the entire church was taken by his son Nick.
      Kamuzu was given 31 years ruled if it was not autocratic tendecny he could have died president,but for 31 years the was ruled by one person from one family which is not problem bola kulamula bwino

  13. koma kumeneko!!!kkkk italikilenji 10 years munthu ukudikila ha ha ha kukwela yokuphwa atayimika mlomo ngati nsomba ya usipa kkkkk

  14. Unfortunately there is nothing chilima can do now. And Chakwera is aware of that that’s why wayamba kumusasa chilima. Kikikiki koma chilima nwabodza heve. Inu ma supporters a UTM, nthawi mudakalinayo yopanga chisankho. Musiyeni chilima chipako chamunyerera kale. Remember: ndale si phada. MCP is not a holly Catholic Church. Mu MCP muli anthu omwe anachifera chipanicho for 26years ndiye sangalore mwana chilima azichita dictate zinthu, azitenga 50% of the cake. Chilima shall not be Minister of Finance, nor Minister of Reforms, and the Tonse agreement shall be reviewed Chakwera watero.

    Ngondo ku UTM amawooo!

  15. abusa; mukulankhula ngati mwanatu apa. ndi ndaletu izi. You will use Chilima the way you want? Did i hear you right? really? lets be serious. Mukaluza musadzalire. Nanga zoti wina will be used zitithandiza? Shame.

    1. Njala Mmano, I personally agree with you, Chakwera is not a politician and with this sentiment this alliance may fail, Chakwera is dividing the people in this alliance,if he were wise he would just kept quite until they win but look at the pastor turned politician, he cannot run a govt. I have ever said so.

  16. This is the beginning of the end of Tonse Alliance. Everybody can see cracks there. Do not irritate us again with your ‘atibera’ song when you lose again on 23 June 2020. Lets just support DPP-UDF Alliance to move Malawi forward.

  17. Chakwera was president for Assemblies of God for 25 years nde akalole kukhala u State President for 5 years? mpaka kamba atadikula

    1. Chilima made the biggest blunder of his political career. I told these guys that they should never settle for anything less than the presidency because Chakwera was never to be trusted. Lero ndi izo. Osamva anamva nkhwangwa ili mutu. Kkkk!!! It is not too late. He should withdraw his candidacy and let Chakwera fight his own battle. Let those who want to vote for him vote for him on their own. UTM should walk out. They have nothing to lose.

  18. This is clearest indication that SKC biggest political position is VP. He will never be president

  19. Both Chakwera and Chilima are trying to say things that pleases their support base but the bottom line is that the chemistry between these two great leaders is unbreakable no matter how much people try to separate them.

    I agree with Chakwera that it does not matter between the two on who is on the driving seat, the bottom line is that they have the same goal which to change Malawi for the better…..nkhani yolimbirana udindo wa upulezidenti ndiyobwe yakhala ikubwezeretsa mmbuyo chitukuko cha dziko lathu.

    Chilima was right in putting his name forward for the minister of finance because he want to make sure that the UTM policies that have made into the Tonse manifesto are fully implemented. But just as Chilima himself is capable of running the ministry of finance so are thousands of other Malawians and this is why it is the responsibility of the president to select his cabinet…

    Having said that, I know that Chakwera will give Chilima his wishes and judge him latter by the fruits of his hands…..at the ministry of finance…

    1. Matoga , I get what you are saying but look at the UTM supporters after hearing the sentiments Chakwera has made, are they going to understand the way you understand it, the answer is not all

    2. You are choosing to be blind deliberately Mr. Don’t comfort yourself with lies. The guy Chakwera has said it all. Let’s call a spade a spade. This alliance will not stand the test of time. A Chilima angothandizirapo amfumu kuledzera apa. Nzawo wakana dzuwa likuswa mtengo apa.

    1. It doesn’t matter, he can be VP for 15 years and later 10 years as President…..Chilima will change Malawi the next 20 years.
      Tichotsa 5 years za dpp zomwe alephera kugwiritsa ntchito luso la Dr Chilima, otherwise tikanati bwana Chilima akhala pamwamba pa boma la Malawi kwa zaka 25 kusintha dziko lathu for the better.
      This chap is a genius. Go SKC!

  22. I know politics very well, there are some things that they just can’t disclose right away.. it’s too early, zambiri tidzamva later. Trust me🙌🏿

      1. The truth of the matter is JBs son was already promised minister of finance. However I am not convinced that Chilima was lying. There’s something more sinister happening

  23. Cadets inu mwayiwara kuti Adad anu a Muntharika agulitsa chipani chanu cha DPP back to UDF . This is the end of DPP as Muluzi told you already kuti Atupele will be the president as Muntharika is not going to finish his term.

    So zakuwawa or zakukhuzani ndi chani za Tonse Alliance mkulephera kumuyankha Muluzi akuti akulandani utsogoleri.

    Atupele Muluzi naye Nzeru mulibe akuti iye akangowina azagawa ma DATA a PHONE awulere kkkkkkkkkkk heshiiii munthu wakumudzi aziti Data ndi Chani??,????????

    Hahahahahshahshshsh koma ngati wasowa zokamba muwuzeni akhale chete Atupele .

    1. Ndipo iwonso akudziwa if they deny this they’re just pretending koma Chipani chapita basi

      1. It’s ok. Koma chaniu chapita before even ascending into power. Actually it was nothing but a wish

  24. How does SKC saying he if God wills it he will be next torchbearer for Tonse get translated to mean 1 term for Chakwera? How does SKC mentioning cabinet post mean he will be that forever or from day 1? For Gods sake, the man will be MG2 which is more senior than any other cabinet post and may end up serving in several ministerial positions during his tenure just like everybody else!

    Is it really hard to understand?

    1. For other people yes they can’t understand they want even greetings to be translated kkkkkk

    2. Man tizinena chilungamo. Kunjamba kuja man Chakwera anavomereza Kuti zimene ananena Chilima ndizoona. Chilima ananena zinthu ziwiri. Ananena Kuti agwirizana Kuti akatuluka Chakwera president akhala SKC. Komanso SKC azakhala nduna ya Chuma. Chakwera poyankha ananena Kuti zimene wanena SKC ndizoona komanso anaonjezera Kuti Chilima azapatsidwa unduna wa govt reforms. Nanenso ndikudabwa Kuti a Chakwera akukana zimenezi pamene anavomereza ndipo zili mma record. Ndiye tiwakhulupilira bwanji Kuti azakwaniritsa manifesto yawo ngati akumupeperetsa nzawo choncho. Anthuwa agwiritsa chiphwisi NDI manja apa

      1. Bodza, Chakwera only agreed on Chilima getting Finance ministry BUT he did not comment on rotational president. This prompted questions as to whether it was an agreement or Chilima was asking. ASOVA Chilima. Anajijirika udyo

  25. Too much in one place is dangerous. Wina alira atagulisa chipani yooo🙈🙈zayambika kumeneko zisanafike mu ground

  27. Apa tazimvera tonse kuti akulu aja amangolubwa lubwa zabodza sanagwirizane za unduna ndi za one term president tiuzeni zoona zonse zomwe atinamizanso kuti azapanga monga za K5000 thumba la fertilizer ndi manifesto ya utm not alliance, 1million jobs utm manifesto not alliance kanilatuni a chakwera uyu wabwerera dyera taona apa

  28. Must admit was abit surprising to hear chakwera say the issue of one term president or chilima getting post of finance minister was not negotiated. Chakwera went further to distance himself from some of chilima’s policy announcements saying those were chilima’s personal views on how to run government of which he was free to express any time he wants. UTM supporters should Slowly and surely see how Saulos is being put in his place.

    1. Well said. Chilima seems not to know what is coming ahead of him. Akuyesa ndale ndi phada. Akuyesa MCP is a church. Sorry Inu a UTM palibe chanu. Or else, listen to Chakwera’s interview again and read between lines.

  29. “Chilima was merely showing interest,” “There is no done deal.” “Chilima has the right to express his interest,”We have not discussed about one term or purse keeper.” “Vice president is part of cabinet, you can not say I will be this forever.” “If I express that desire there is nothing wrong with that.” These are quotes from Chakwela’s speech and I rest my case. Brian can you also interview Chilima so that malawians have balanced information. This can help blind supporters to open their eyes.

    1. Apa ndiye mwandisokoneza koopsya, Chilima pls respond I and some others are confused, do not take this lightly, it is a BIG blow to UTM.

    2. Yes, blind supporters of UTM can now start seeing realities. Chilima has been telling them lies. Ndale si phada, MCP si church. Chilima shall receive a rude awakening when the boat shall send sail.

  31. Now I can see and understand that chilima talks something and the truth is the opposite

  32. Chilima did not say he will take over after Chakweras one term presidential bid, the DPP made those assertion … Chilima will take over after Chakwera, thats what was said..

    1. It appears you are the only one listening to Chilima’s speeches or else you are dreaming

  33. Achilima adzaona nyekhwe. Nkuona anyapala inu simungawine. Mukugawana nyama musanaphe, ili chiyendere mtchire

  34. There you have it. The agreement will be reviewed it’s not binding whatever you agreed behind those closed doors. That’s why your honest friend the reverend never wanted the contents of the agreement in the public domain or discussed by your NEC. Simply he wanted at all cost even at your cost to be the president of this country. Ichi ndi chikondi cha nkhwangwa chokoma pokwera potsika kungoyiponya pansi kuti chi! Hahaha!!!! Merely expressing interest! Wapa carrier sayimba bellu ndi zoona. Whether from DPP to the Alliance if you settle for the second best. You are the second best nothing more than that. In fact Chakwera is saying this now because he knows that there’s nothing you can do about it.

  35. Phwaaaaaa! Chilima akumva bwanji? Chakwera has just contradicted you. He says there is no such thing as one-term president. Siudzaunyantha u president. Let Callista know this.

  36. Saulosi,Saulosi,Saulosi…indeed you are becoming a disgrace? Stop hallucinating….Chosamva anachiphikira mmasamba

  38. Wakumva wamva. It’s a partnership of convenience. We all know SKC wants the presidency. Now why did SKC at Njamba mention rotational presidency?. Is Chilima cooking up things or is Chakwera the liar here?. One thing for sure is they are both politicians so anyone of them must be lying. Who is fooling who?

  45. TONSE alliance is full of deceit and njomba – and so Chakwera denies he would be a one-term president if he was to win.

    1. do you really think Chakwera would start airing his views in public? Just wait people.Meanwhile keep guessing

Comments are closed.