The government has said President Lazarus Chakwera is yet to be officially informed by Tonse Alliance partner UTM about its decision to pull out of the governing coalition.
UTM officials announced on Friday that they were leaving the Tonse Alliance.
The decision came after the death of founder, former vice president Saulos Chilima—who died with eight others in a plane crash on June 10 2024.
Some of the government officials, including State Vice President and several Cabinet ministers, were appointed due to their affiliation with UTM.
Information Minister Moses Kunkuyu told The Daily Times that the President is still waiting for UTM to officially write his office on the matter.
“The President doesn’t have a say right now as he has not been informed of the decision. We expect that the same channels used to communicate to the members of the MCP (Malawi Congress Party) and the general public about the establishment of the alliance will be used again through secretaries- general,” Kunkuyu said.
He added that it is difficult for the President to comment on the issue as it has only been reported in the media.
Kunkuyu also said he could not comment on whether the development would affect the working relationship between the President and Vice President Michael Usi.
“If the President appointed the Vice President in line with the law and if the law is silent on political party alliances, then the President is not in conflict with any law, and it is doubtful it will affect the President,” Kunkuyu said.
In a separate interview, UTM publicity secretary Felix Njawala said the party’s legal team is working on officially notifying the MCP about its decision.
“Our legal team is working on the communication, and it will be delivered soon,” Njawala said.
On Friday, the UTM Central Executive Committee announced that it would recommend to the National Executive Committee (Nec) to sever the party’s ties with the Tonse Alliance, which was formed with the MCP and other political parties in March 2020.
The current decision will be submitted to the party’s Nec for consideration during its meeting, which is expected to take place this week.
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