The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has shown a rare sense of unity and discipline after Parliament officially confirmed Hon. Simplex Chithyola Banda as Leader of Opposition.
Many had expected internal fights and divisions to follow the decision, but instead, the MCP has regrouped and chosen to move forward together. Party members say they want to avoid the kind of leadership battles that once weakened the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), when Kondwani Nankhumwa clashed with his leader Peter Mutharika over the same position.
Speaker of Parliament, Right Honourable Sameer Suleman, made the announcement during the opening of the First Meeting of the 52nd Session of Parliament in Lilongwe. The meeting, which runs from November 5 to December 5, 2025, will serve as the Mid-Year Budget Review session.
According to the Speaker, the MCP leadership in Parliament now includes Chithyola Banda as Leader of Opposition, Hon. Moses Kunkuyu as Whip, and Hon. Monica Chang’anamuno as Deputy Whip. The calm and coordinated handover of roles shows that MCP is reorganizing itself and focusing on its role as the main opposition party.
In his statement, Speaker Suleman also announced the other party leaderships in the House. The DPP will be led by Hon. Jappie Mhango as Leader of the House, with Hon. Patricia Wiskes as Chief Whip and Hon. Martha Ngwira Munthali as Deputy Whip. The United Transformation Movement (UTM) has Hon. Dr. Patricia Kaliati as Leader, supported by Hon. Edgar Kapalamula as Deputy Leader, Hon. Felix Njawala as Whip, and Hon. Kenneth Ndovie as Deputy Whip. The United Democratic Front (UDF) team is led by Hon. Aisha Mambo Adams, with Hon. Ismail Rizzq Mkumba as Whip and Hon. Tulinje Muluzi as Deputy Whip.
Parliament’s five-week program includes debates on President Arthur Peter Mutharika’s opening address from November 5 to 14. New Members of Parliament will use this period to deliver their maiden speeches. The Minister of Finance will then present the 2025/2026 Mid-Year Budget Review Statement on November 21, followed by debates from November 24 to 28. The House will move to the Committee of Supply from December 1 to 3, before closing on December 5.
As the new session begins, debate has already started on President Mutharika’s address. For the MCP, however, the bigger story is its internal calm and renewed sense of direction. The party appears to have learned from the past and is now focused on unity, discipline, and strong opposition leadership in Parliament.
