In a dramatic twist that has sent shockwaves through Malawi’s political landscape, former UTM President Dr. Michael Usi has unleashed a political tsunami that is rapidly weakening not only the UTM party but also shaking the foundations of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) ahead of the high-stakes September elections.
Once shamelessly expelled from UTM, the party’s leadership made the fatal mistake of believing they had only ousted Usi. But the tides of time have revealed a brutal truth—when they expelled Usi, they also expelled a massive wave of UTM supporters who had trusted Vice President Saulos Chilima’s decision to make Usi his running mate in 2019. And now, Usi is proving his political might in spectacular fashion.
Every rally Usi holds turns into a thunderous spectacle, with thousands flooding to see him, proudly donning the unmistakable colors of his rising Odya Zake Alibe Mlandu movement. Today, the capital Lilongwe witnessed a political marvel as Usi made his grand entrance into the BICC, where President Chakwera is set to attend a TEVETA conference. Thousands of women, clad in his movement’s regalia, lined the streets, singing praises for Usi, in a vivid show of his growing dominance. What a sight it was—pure political electricity in the air!
This unstoppable momentum is sending one message loud and clear: UTM is crumbling, and the DPP is not far behind. Usi’s influence extends deep into Blantyre, a traditional DPP stronghold, where many still sympathize with him. Adding to the DPP’s woes, veteran politician Kondwani Nankhumwa—who has built an unshakable base in the southern regions of Mulanje and Blantyre—further fractures the party’s voter base, leaving DPP in political disarray.
And who stands to gain from this seismic shift? None other than the MCP and President Lazarus Chakwera. The political stars are aligning in Chakwera’s favor, as a potential alliance between Usi’s movement, Nankhumwa’s loyalists, and other smaller parties could deliver the crucial votes Chakwera needs to cross the decisive 50% plus one threshold for re-election, securing his presidency until 2030.
The stage is set, and as the September elections approach, one thing is certain: the political winds are blowing in Usi’s favor, and the repercussions are shaking UTM and DPP to their core. The battle for Malawi’s future just got a lot more intense!
