Former President Joyce Banda has ignited a firestorm of criticism following her reported claims regarding a purported political pact between President Lazarus Chakwera and the late Vice President Saulos Chilima. This proclamation has raised eyebrows and prompted a wave of backlash from analysts, political observers and Facebooks users who have questioning the intent behind her rhetoric.
During an interview set to air on Zodiak Online, Banda claimed that she was privy to a secret agreement outlining a rotational presidency between Chakwera and Chilima, stipulating that Chakwera would serve five years before handing the reins to Chilima for the subsequent five years. Her assertion has been met with skepticism, especially considering previous statements made by both Chilima and Banda that contradicted this narrative.
In a separate interview prior to his tragic passing, Chilima firmly refuted any claims of such an arrangement existing between himself and Chakwera, stating unequivocally that no such an agreement was ever made. This assertion casts a long shadow over Banda’s recent claims, further deepening the controversy surrounding her statements.
Compounding the issue, Joyce Banda herself had expressed ignorance of any such deal during a 2021 interview, leading many to accuse her of opportunism in her abrupt shift of narrative.
Political analysts suggest that Banda’s sudden re-emergence into the political discourse, laden with claims from the past, is a desperate attempt to regain relevance in a dynamism where her influence has waned significantly.
Dr. Miriam Kachiza, a prominent political analyst, noted, “Banda’s insistent harking back to a supposedly forgotten agreement raises questions about her motives. It seems more like a clumsy attempt at political revival rather than a genuine contribution to current discourse. If anything, it detracts from important issues facing the Malawian populace today.”
The 2019 political alliance between the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and the United Transformation Movement (UTM) was built on a platform of hope and change, aimed at addressing the country’s numerous challenges. However, Banda’s revival of the agreement narrative has drawn criticism for being not only ill-timed but also irrelevant in the contemporary political landscape, where focus must remain on pressing national matters.
As the public digests Banda’s claims, social media platforms are awash with mixed reactions, many denouncing her remarks as a misguided attempt to remain in the limelight. “It’s disappointing to see a former leader resort to misleading rhetoric for attention,” tweeted one user. “Our political leaders should be focusing on unity, not sewing discord through revisionist narratives.”
Amid this controversy, observers have called for continued civil discourse and urged political figures to prioritize the interests of the nation over personal ambitions.
