The political landscape within the UTM is heating up as the party gears up for its inaugural convention on November 17. Recent tensions have erupted into a public clash between established members and newcomers, particularly surrounding the candidacy of Dr. Dalitso Kabambe.
During a weekend gathering where candidates presented their nomination papers, Mr. Newton Kambala, a founding member of UTM, launched a scathing attack on Kabambe, labeling him a “treacherous intruder.” Kambala accused Kabambe of playing a part in the suffering of the late Dr. Saulos Chilima, the party’s former leader, during his tenure with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Adding fuel to the fire, Mrs. Annie Nyadani Makuta, the party’s national director of women, detailed Kabambe’s alleged past actions against Chilima while he served as Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Makuta recounted an incident where Kabambe supposedly intervened to prevent a red carpet welcome for Chilima during a trip to London. “This is unforgivable torture,” Kambala asserted, echoing the sentiment that Kabambe’s past behavior disqualifies him from leadership.
Makuta reinforced the notion that UTM should be led by its original members, arguing that “installing strangers as leaders” would not serve the party’s best interests. She highlighted how Kabambe’s actions contributed to Chilima’s difficulties within the DPP, particularly in how funding was withheld from Chilima’s office during his vice presidency.
This public showdown not only underscores the existing rifts within UTM but also raises questions about Kabambe’s ability to garner support from party loyalists. As the convention approaches, the stakes are high, and the party must navigate its internal divisions while aiming for a cohesive direction in Malawi’s political arena. The upcoming convention is set to be a critical moment for UTM as it seeks to solidify its leadership and define its future.
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