The Malawi Congress Party is facing growing internal friction over its future leadership, according to Malawi24. Former presidential aspirant Alex Major has publicly criticized the inner circle advising former President Lazarus Chakwera, accusing figures such as Simplex Chithyola Banda and Jessy Kabwila of prioritizing their own political survival over the party's direction. Major claims these advisors misled Chakwera before the 2025 election defeat and are now encouraging his continued leadership as the party prepares for grassroots structural elections.
Meanwhile, President Peter Mutharika is drawing fire from opposition figures over his administration's performance. United Democratic Front leader Atupele Muluzi recently questioned Mutharika's capacity to govern, stating in a Zodiak Broadcasting Station interview that the president has grown too old to handle the country's demanding challenges, Nyasa Times reports. In a separate development, UTM Party president Dalitso Kabambe published an open letter challenging Mutharika to address the nation directly on the economic crisis, fuel shortages, and alleged high-level corruption, according to Nation Online.
Civil society organizations are also mobilizing to assess the current administration. Nation Online reports that a coalition including the Malawi Law Society, Youth and Society, and the Public Affairs Committee has scheduled a National Stakeholders Dialogue for October 20 in Lilongwe. The event will evaluate Mutharika's first year in office, focusing on democratic governance, anti-corruption efforts, and the delivery of essential public services.
Update: The diplomatic dispute surrounding Malawi's mission in Kuwait has escalated. According to Nation Online, Ambassador Younos Abdul Karim has obtained an interim stay order from the Industrial Relations Court blocking his recall by the government. The injunction prevents the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from replacing him with newly appointed charge d'affaires Jona Pankuku until a full judicial review is completed.