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The collapse of the Tonse Alliance is a warning to future gentlemen’s agreements that undermine Malawi’s democracy, write civil and political rights advocate PHILLIP KIMANGIRAH and NPL journalist JAMES CHAVULA.
What will bring SKC back to silence? This was the headline in The Nation on June 1, just a week after Vice President Saulos Chilima died in a plane crash along with eight others.
Uncertainty over rifts and power struggles within the ruling Tonsei Alliance reached a peak as President Lazarus Chakwera announced his candidacy for re-election in the presence of his second-in-command.
Ironically, the outgoing vice president is not without political interests.
He received more than a million votes in the 2019 presidential election, but the two questioned the credibility of the election and asked the court to annul the results.
Since the 2020 joint campaign, Chilima has told Malawians that Chakwera will pave the way for him to contest the forthcoming presidential election.
Chakwera’s Malawi Congress Party strongly condemned the claim and existence of the clause in the ruling coalition.
The power struggle has become one of the sticking points in the alliance and on Friday, the United Echelon (UTM) party led by the late Chilima quit the alliance in a bombshell news that Malawians least expected.
UTM spokesperson Felix Njawala said the evacuation was partly due to the information blackout since Chilima’s death on a foggy day on June 10 this year.
“We have been receiving calls about the future of our party since we lost the late chairman, Saulos Chilima. We have waited for a long time and heard nothing from our partners and now the central executive committee has decided that we should withdraw from this (Tonse) alliance,” he said.
UTM secretary general Patricia Kaliati said attempts to meet the party’s interim chairman, Michael Usi, now Malawi’s vice president, were futile as he was uncomfortable with the youths who accompanied them to his official residence in Lilongwe.
News coming out of the ruling coalition suggests that this bilateral relationship, which is based on an unstable foundation, is bound to end as there are no binding terms to regulate the relationship between the two sides.
With the fall of the Tonse Alliance, the once united front that propelled Chakwera’s Malawi Congress Party (MCP) to power after three decades, Malawians are beginning to reflect on the fragility of political partnerships.
The recent announcement by the United Maharashtra Party (UTM) to quit the ruling party has sent shockwaves through the political arena, exposing the fragility of gentlemen’s agreements in the guise of electoral alliances and the folly of trusting in mere lip service.
As Malawi moves rapidly towards the 2025 general elections, the disintegration of the Tonsei Alliance is a stark reminder of the importance of robust, legally binding alliances based on shared values and mutual respect.
As the power of the Malayan Communist Party (MCP) began to wane, the fate of democracy in the country hung in the balance.
Once hailed as a beacon of hope for Malawi democracy and the promise of a better country for all, the Tonse Alliance has crumbled under the weight of political ambition and mistrust.
The UTM’s hint of leaving the coalition has a major impact on whether the MCP can maintain its 50+1 majority in next year’s elections. This makes the MCP vulnerable to manipulation by the opposition.
The rupture highlights the dangers of relying on gentlemen’s agreements, which offer little legal remedy in the event of betrayal.
Due to the lack of clear guidelines and dispute resolution mechanisms, both sides blamed each other, with disastrous consequences.
As the 2025 general elections approach, the country needs a new approach to electoral alliances. Legally binding agreements based on shared values and mutual respect are the only way forward. The country cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past, prioritizing personal relationships and verbal promises or gentlemen’s agreements over the needs of the country. Will the political parties learn from the mistakes of the Tonse Alliance and work towards a more stable and resilient democracy? Only time will tell.
The importance of respecting political alliances cannot be overstated.
Breaking the commitment to work together toward a common goal not only undermines trust, it undermines democracy.
It sends the message that commitments are disposable and that political expediency takes precedence over loyalty and integrity.
The consequences of abandoning political alliances are far-reaching.
It undermines public trust in political parties and leaders, leading to public disillusionment with and disengagement from the political process.
It also creates an environment of uncertainty that makes it difficult for parties to collaborate and pass important legislation.
Moreover, it sets a dangerous precedent that encourages political leaders to put their personal interests ahead of the public good.
By respecting the political alliance, all parties demonstrate their commitment to democracy, stability and national well-being.
It fosters a cooperative environment that encourages all parties to work together to address the challenges facing the country.
When political parties keep their end of the bargain, they build trust with their partners, constituents, and the international community. This trust is essential for effective governance, economic growth, and social progress. By prioritizing integrity in political alliances, Malawi can build a stronger, more resilient democracy that benefits all citizens.
The fall of Thornes is a stark reminder that political partnerships built on shaky foundations can collapse at any time.
As Malawi eyes general elections in 2025, political parties must put substance over emotion and build coalitions based on shared values and a commitment to the country’s prosperity. The country’s democracy deserves more than fleeting alliances and lip service.
It deserves a strong, legally binding partnership that can stand the test of time and political pressure.
Only then can Malawi ensure a stable, inclusive and prosperous future for all its citizens. Time is running out. Let us learn from the mistakes of the Tonsai Alliance and forge a new path forward, one that puts the national interest above political expediency. The future of Malawi’s democracy depends on it.
Disclaimer: Please note that this article originally appeared in the Wednesday edition of The Nation.
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