Political party alliances have always been queer, especially in Africa. Whereas, ideally, parties are supposed to come together because of shared ideologies, visions and rational aspirations, most of the alliances we see on the continent result from frustration, revenge and other such passions that do not have the welfare of the populace at heart. This is why we see politicians we always thought were enemies coming together to fight and bring down a newly found common enemy. As one of our politicians said, in politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies.
Most of the time, it is small parties that become prey in these marriages of convenience that politicians love so much. These minnows are needed whenever the giants want to satisfy one or two needs and then they are quickly thrown out soon after the big man has climaxed. A recent victim of this trend is UTM, which is facing a possible tragedy bordering on the sustainability of its alliance with the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and other small parties. What was called the Tonse Alliance has turned out to be a farce since the implied unity in the union seems to have been built on facile grounds.
Since its creation, people have had questions regarding the sustainability of the Tonse Alliance, bearing in mind that it came into being as a way of getting rid of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), and nothing else. Back then, the strength and feasibility of this alliance rested on the popularity of its two leading figures – Dr Lazarus Chakwera and Dr Saulos Chilima. In this relationship, the former had the upper hand since he was leading an established party while his bedfellow boasted of personal popularity that surpassed the exploits of his party. And, indeed, the two achieved what they wanted to achieve without any problem.
But today, the dynamics have changed and it is clear that the MCP is confident that they can do without the UTM. This feeling can be traced from the very first days of their power, where there emerged competing narratives regarding the bedrock and future of the alliance. The MCP has always maintained that Chakwera will bear their torch come 2025 while the UTM has been living under the illusion that they would be given the presidency on a silver platter. Theirs is the quintessence of naivety – something we don’t expect from politicians.
As of last week, President Chakwera himself publicly declared that he is going to the polls next year if he is elected at the party’s convention. As such, it is clear, even to a small child, that the Tonse Alliance is over. Surprisingly, the UTM seems to be either in disbelief or in denial of the reality on the ground. Whatever the case is, the shock that has resulted from the realisation that they are unceremoniously divorced has paralysed the party so much that it is failing to make any move. Its president is failing to comment on the matter and top party members are beating about the bush, spewing gibberish. If what is happening in the Tonse Alliance is a lesson in politics, then UTM has been given a test above its grade.
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While the bone of contention for the politicians is on who will have power and who will control our taxes come 2025, us, the masses with nothing, should be asking different questions. We have seen politicians for who they are and we can no longer pretend that these people have our interests at heart. Examples are all over the world that politicians fight for themselves and nobody else. These political alliances we witness are not meant to benefit us but them. What then is in these alliances for the common person on the streets?
Soon, all these politicians will come out with well-cooked lies to cheat us into voting for them again. As we speak, they are busy marinating messages of hope that will pierce our hearts like sharp swords. You should also not be surprised to see strange alliances born out of frustration and sanganditero. Our politics has become more of a contest of egos than a noble practice for national transformation. In the end, it is Malawians who stand to lose from these amusement shows that hold nothing for us.
