By Staff Writer
The Malawi Congress Party is staring at its deepest internal crisis yet, with a faction led by presidential hopeful Alex Major now demanding an emergency convention to elect new leaders and block attempts to amend the constitution to extend President Lazarus Chakwera’s tenure.
The move exposes fissures that have widened since MCP’s defeat in the September 16 2025 General Election, and signals a party struggling to reconcile its past with a restless membership that says the time for deference is over.
Major, speaking on behalf of his faction, said the push to change the party constitution “to benefit one individual would undermine its democratic principles” and insisted the next convention must be an open contest.
His position finds resonance among grassroots supporters who argue that no leader should be treated as above the rules. “MCP supporters want to respect the constitution.
Chakwera isn’t a demigod as if there aren’t others who can rule MCP,” one senior member from the Central Region said. “Say no to constitution amendments only to benefit one individual.”
The debate is not new in MCP. University of Malawi political scientist Boniface Dulani said the current standoff is “ultimately about adherence to the party’s constitution.”
He added: “Term limits were introduced to prevent dictatorship and to refresh leadership. If Chakwera’s terms have expired, the democratic thing would be for him to step aside and allow others to build on what he has done.”
Dulani also urged the party to hold fresh district and regional elections to restore internal democracy.
History is being invoked to warn the current leadership. The late John Tembo, once the most feared figure in MCP, tried to secure a third term in 2013 but was rejected by delegates.
Analyst George Chaima noted that Major’s challenge is significant, though he observed that “Chakwera still controls the party machinery by virtue of remaining party president.”
MCP deputy regional chairperson for the South Dennis Nathumba recalled the Tembo precedent and described any bid for Chakwera to contest again in 2030 as “unconstitutional and contrary to the party’s constitution.”
The contest for the top job is already taking shape. Recently, Chakakala Chaziya also expressed interest to contest in the forthcoming MCP convention, adding to pressure on the incumbent.
Critics argue Chakwera was rejected by Malawians in last year’s general election and has now completed his two constitutional terms, making any extension both unnecessary and damaging.
“He has finalized his two terms and there is no need to extend or amend the constitution just to benefit him,” a party elder said.
Beyond personalities, the mood on the ground suggests MCP is losing its base.
Many members echo what former President Bakili Muluzi used to say, that “MCP became extinct the time its founding leader Kamuzu Banda died.”
Today, disillusionment is growing as supporters complain of broken promises.
“Malawians hate MCP under Chakwera because he made them eat itchy wild buffalo beans which are not edible,” said one frustrated supporter in Lilongwe.
With the High Court recently ordering MCP to hold district and regional elections within 12 months, the composition of delegates for any convention could shift dramatically.
MCP Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda declined to comment when contacted.
But with more members saying they see “no hope for MCP,” the party appears on the verge of collapse unless it allows an open, constitutional transition.
For now, the message from the dissenting faction is clear: respect the constitution, hold the convention, and let the members decide.
