By Twink Jones Gadama
In a shocking turn of events, former President Dr. Joyce Banda announced the People’s Party’s (PP) withdrawal from the Tonse Alliance, a political coalition formed in 2020.
This move comes hot on the heels of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) convention, which seems to have triggered the collapse of the alliance.
Addressing a packed political rally in Naisi, Zomba, Dr. Banda declared that the PP is no longer part of the Tonse Alliance, citing irreconcilable differences with the MCP.
This development follows the earlier exit of the United Transformation Movement (UTM) and the Alliance for Democracy (Aford) from the alliance, leaving the MCP standing alone.
The Tonse Alliance was formed in the lead-up to the 2020 presidential elections, bringing together the MCP, PP, UTM, and Aford in a bid to unseat the then-ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
The alliance proved successful, with MCP’s Lazarus Chakwera winning the presidency.
However, cracks began to appear in the alliance soon after the elections, with UTM and Aford being the first to exit.
The PP’s withdrawal now leaves the MCP without any major coalition partners, making its position increasingly precarious ahead of the 2025 elections.
Dr. Banda’s announcement was met with thunderous applause from the crowd, who seemed to endorse the PP’s decision to distance itself from the MCP.
The former president took a swipe at the MCP, accusing it of failing to uphold the principles of the alliance and instead pursuing a solo agenda.
The collapse of the Tonse Alliance can be seen as a significant blow to the MCP, which now faces a tough road ahead in the 2025 elections.
Without the support of its former coalition partners, the MCP will have to rely solely on its own strength to retain power.
Political analysts have weighed in on the development, with some suggesting that the MCP’s inability to manage the alliance and address the concerns of its partners led to the collapse.
Others believe that the PP’s exit is a strategic move to position itself for the 2025 elections.
As the political landscape in Malawi continues to shift, one thing is clear: the 2025 elections will be fiercely contested, and the MCP will have to work hard to maintain its grip on power.
The PP, UTM, and Aford, on the other hand, will be looking to capitalize on the MCP’s vulnerabilities and make significant gains in the polls.
In the meantime, Dr. Banda and the PP will be focusing on reconsolidating their support base and preparing for the elections ahead.
With the Tonse Alliance now a thing of the past, Malawian politics has entered a new era of uncertainty and excitement.
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