The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is experiencing internal discontent following the appointment of certain members as advisors to the party’s President, Arthur Peter Mutharika. Some members believe this decision could undermine the roles of the elected Directors within the National Governing Council (NGC).
A statement from Shadric Namalomba, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, disclosed that several prominent party members who were unsuccessful in retaining their seats or were not elected to positions within the NGC at the party’s elective convention held on August 18-19 in Blantyre have been assigned new roles as presidential advisors. Among these appointments, Clement Mwale, a former secretary general, has been named the presidential advisor on political affairs. George Thapatula Chaponda, the party’s former vice president for the South, will now serve as Mutharika’s advisor on policy development. Chimwemwe Chipungu, the former organizing secretary, has been appointed as the advisor on organization, while Jean Mathanga, a former Malawi Electoral Commission Commissioner, is now the presidential advisor on election management.
Other appointees include Charles Mhango as the advisor on legal affairs, Dyton Mussa as the advisor on youth, Aaron Sangala as the advisor on operations, and Everton Chimulirenji as the advisor on campaign matters.
While some party members view these appointments as a strategy to strengthen the party in preparation for the 2025 general elections, others argue that these individuals did not earn their positions through the elective convention, suggesting a lack of trust from the party’s broader membership.
DPP Secretary General Peter Mukhito defended the appointments, stating they are in accordance with the party’s constitution, which allows the president to appoint an unlimited number of advisors who report directly to him and do not interfere with the operational duties of the elected NGC members.
Political analyst George Chaima criticized the appointments as an attempt to appease Mutharika’s loyalists, suggesting they do not reflect the party members’ preferences as demonstrated during the convention. He also noted that some appointees had previously been suspected of misguiding Mutharika and causing divisions within the party, including influencing the expulsion of key figures like Nankhumwa and Dausi.
Chaima further warned that these appointments might lead to increased internal conflict and power struggles, given the historical context and existing tensions within the DPP.
The DPP held its elective convention shortly after the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), where several notable party figures failed to secure positions or appointments.
