The opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) has insisted that it will invite representatives of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and other parties to its national conference slated for October 2 2024 in Blantyre.
Convention organising committee chairperson Aisha Mambo Thursday told journalists in Blantyre that since its inception, the party’s policy has been to invite other political parties when holding a convention.
The party’s decision to invite MCP representatives to the conference has received a backlash from some ranks within the party, who have expressed displeasure at the prospect of having governing party representatives at their indaba.
While giving an update on progress of preparations for the party’s convention, Mambo said they were proceeding with their arrangement.
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“The United Democratic Front (UDF) is deeply concerned by recent social and electronic media statements suggesting our invitation to the Malawi Congress Party for our 2024 elective conference is misguided. These claims imply that this action would harm our electoral prospects and hint at an electoral alliance or sponsorship by the MCP.
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“We want to remind all Malawians that the UDF is the oldest democratic party in Malawi and a pioneer of democratic politics in our country. Our commitment to democratic principles means we believe in coexistence and mutual respect among all political parties,” Mambo said in a statement.
However, there was drama at the press briefing as some party supporters, who were earlier behind the party’s stand, changed tune and said that they did not want MCP representatives at the convention.
One of the members, Wigness Mwalabu from Bangwe Township in Blantyre, said that they did not feel comfortable to have MCP members at the conference.
“Why should we be together when it is the same party that we are fighting against? We do not want them at the convention,” she said.
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But in response, Mambo said since it was a party policy, the final decision could only be made by delegates at the forthcoming elective convention.
MCP publicist Jessie Kabwira was recently quoted as saying that they were yet to receive an official invitation from UDF.
Mambo said the party’s former president Atupele Muluzi would go unopposed at the convention as nobody had come forth to challenge him.
