Former President Peter Mutharika has warned the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) to stop bringing trumped-up charges targeting him and other Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) members as the country is preparing for next year’s general elections.
Mutharika alleged that he is aware of some plots by the MCP led government aimed at stopping him from contesting in the 2025 general elections as presidential candidate for the DPP because, according to him, MCP is afraid of him.
“They [MCP] tried to bring criminal charges against me but they failed. They tried to steal the DPP from us through other agents in DPP but they also failed.
“Now they are trying to bring age capping bill in Parliament to stop me from contesting in 2025 but they will fail again,” said Mutharika.
He made the remarks on Friday during a media briefing which he held at his Page House in Mangochi.
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“I am coming back to rescue Malawi from destruction. I did it before and I will do it again.
“I will contest in 2025 and I am going to win the presidency because the work of my hands will testify for me,” he said.
He further accused President Lazarus Chakwera who is also MCP president for allowing his party followers to perpetrate violence on innocent DPP followers without him raising a voice against the violence although the DPP complained officially.
Mutharika mentioned the assault on DPP supporters at Mbowe in Lilongwe and the incident in Mponela as some of the regrettable scenes of violence which he claimed are being orchestrated by the MCP to frustrate other political parties who wants to campaign in the Central region.
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“Let me warn Malawi Congress Party that your days are numbered. You are perpetrating violence on DPP supporters and you will pay for this. Please stop the violence because your days are coming to an end,” he said.
He further challenged the MCP to allow other political parties to campaign in the Central Region and other regions in the country because Malawi is a democratic country.
He further expressed optimism that DPP monitors will not be harassed again during the 2025 general elections in centers in the central region like it was the case in 2020 fresh presidential elections which were ordered by the court.
“I am also urging all the well-meaning Malawians to support our efforts that are aimed at reclaiming power and restore Malawi’s dignity because Malawi is in current bad shape because of the current clueless government,” he said.
But in an interview MCP spokesperson Ezekiel Ching’oma described Mutharika’s sentiments as laughable and baseless.
Ching’oma said as a ruling party, MCP cannot sponsor violence under any circumstances as it goes against the principles of democracy and the rule of law.
He said the MCP has the responsibility of maintaining law and order and fostering a peaceful environment in which citizens can live without fear.
Ching’oma observed that violence is a threat to the stability and security of the nation, and it can have devastating consequences for the people affected by it.
“DPP is the one party that has a history of sponsoring violence, promoting hatred or inciting conflict in this country. We have noted that the former president is surrounded by fortune seekers and they will lead him into the wrong way. Isn’t this the time for him to retire?” said Ching’oma.
