By Rahim Abdul
The opposition Malawi Congress Party has expressed surprise over the absence of President Peter Mutharika at this year’s national memorial prayers for Malawi’s founding leader, Hastings Kamuzu Banda, scheduled for May 14 in Lilongwe.
Speaking during a press briefing in Lilongwe, MCP Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda said the party finds it disappointing that the country’s former leader, Lazarus Chakwera, will not be part of the official state function honouring Kamuzu Banda
Chimwendo Banda revealed that the MCP had engaged government authorities in an attempt to ensure Chakwera’s participation at the national ceremony but the discussions did not yield positive results.
Despite the development, the MCP has commended government for organising a state memorial in honour of Kamuzu Banda, describing it as an important gesture in preserving the legacy of Malawi’s founding president.
He said the party has since arranged its own special memorial prayers at the MCP headquarters in Lilongwe, immediately after the official state event concludes.
According to Chimwendo Banda, Chakwera will personally lead the party’s commemorative ceremony, which is expected to attract senior MCP officials, supporters and sympathisers from different parts of the country.
The MCP Secretary General also appealed to party supporters, especially the youth, to remain peaceful and avoid disrupting the state function, stressing that the party wants both events to be conducted with dignity and respect.
Several senior MCP officials attended the press briefing, including the party’s Director of Elections Elias Chakwera, party spokesperson Jessie Kabwila, legal affairs director Jivason Kadzipatike, and Central Region chairperson Patrick Zebron Chilondola including Moses Kunkuyu.
The memorial comes as Malawi prepares to remember the life and political legacy of Kamuzu Banda, who remains one of the country’s most influential historical figures decades after his leadership.
Both the government ceremony and the MCP-led prayers are expected to take place in Lilongwe on May 14, drawing political leaders, party faithful and citizens wishing to honour the late statesman.
