In a political showdown that reflects the crumbling state of Malawi’s opposition, the United Democratic Front (UDF) on Tuesday issued a scathing condemnation of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) over “disrespectful and unacceptable” attacks against its founding patriarch and former president, Dr. Bakili Muluzi.
Sources within the UDF have disclosed that DPP’s move to attack Atupele Muluzi’s father marks the end of any possible negotiations of an alliance between the two parties. The leadership of the two parties have been meeting for the past three months with the hope of forming a coalition against the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) in September.
The UDF released a statement, signed by National Publicity Secretary Dyson Jangia, following what the party terms “insults” from DPP officials directed at Bakili Muluzi—a man who, despite being long retired from active politics, remains the country’s first democratically elected president and a towering figure in Malawi’s political history.
In its press release, UDF didn’t mince words: “Targeting insults to Dr. Bakili Muluzi and over an illness was highly a misplaced and irresponsible undertaking for any civilized politician. We demand an unequivocal apology from the DPP to Dr. Bakili Muluzi personally and to the UDF.”
The party reminded DPP officials of their roots, warning that they “must always understand their political roots,” and “must be the last ones to throw any political stone to the character of Dr. Bakili Muluzi under whatever circumstances.”
The battle lines were drawn between the two parties after Atupele urged the DPP to drop APM as its candidate observing that the man is too old to campaign for political office and to rule the country again. He also warned the DPP that this time around they should not rely on using tipp-ex again to win the elections with their sick candidate.
After a mild response from the DPP on how useless was Atupele politically, the UDF leader had another jab on the DPP through his Facebook page.
In a strongly worded Facebook post titled “Let’s Set the Record Straight,” Atupele Muluzi outlined his political journey and pointed out that he is the one who played a critical role to ensure that the DPP remains relevant and regained momentum after he let himself partner with the party in the 2020 rerun.
“In 2019, Malawi witnessed one of the most contentious elections in its history… A nullified election? I chose silence, not because I was defeated, but because I believed in peace over protest. I put Malawi first.”
He added: “I made a difficult yet deliberate decision to stand by the DPP as running mate… That wasn’t luck. That was work, sacrifice, and leadership.”
But the post isn’t just a defense, it is a warning:
“This is about restoring dignity to our democratic processes… Malawi deserves leaders who are honest with the people, who earn their trust, and who deliver results through action, not noise.”
Clearly, Atupele is drawing a line in the sand, not just against the DPP, but for the soul of Malawi’s opposition.
Rather than engage Atupele and respond to him directly, DPP officials took the battle to elder Muluzi with personal insults and crude references to his health.
This was a misstep that shocked not only the UDF but also the entire nation, with social media users and political analysts condemning the attacks.
“What does Bakili Muluzi have to do with today’s UDF-DPP feud?” asked one commentator on X (formerly Twitter). “He’s retired, not contesting, and has stayed away from the mudslinging. Why attack a man who gave you the presidency?”
Another political blogger described the DPP’s behaviour as “ungrateful and tactless,” noting that “instead of debating Atupele’s statement on APM’s age, they’re vilifying his father, a desperate, petty move.”
Beyond these words and attacks lies a political story of betrayal, failed alliances, and a family dynasty turning full circle. The UDF has always felt betrayed by the DPP and seems this is its chance to hit hard on the “enemy”.
To fully understand this fallout, one must revisit the political DNA of the DPP, a party formed in 2005 by Bingu wa Mutharika after falling out with Bakili Muluzi’s UDF. Mutharika had ascended to the presidency in 2004 under the UDF ticket, but soon clashed with Muluzi over issues of control and influence within government.
Feeling undermined, Mutharika broke away to form the DPP, taking with him a sizable faction of UDF loyalists and state machinery. It was a bold move that fractured the UDF and ultimately rendered it a minor party in subsequent elections. But despite the betrayal, as cousins there remained lingering respect between the camps, at least in public discourse. Until now.
The DPP has not only abandoned that mutual respect but has turned its anger toward the very man who gave Bingu wa Mutharika his first presidential platform.
At the centre of this feud is UDF President Atupele Muluzi, Bakili Muluzi’s son and former Minister under the DPP and People’s Party administrations.
In 2020 elections, attempts were made to realign UDF with the DPP with Atupele as Arthur Peter Mutharika’s running mate. That partnership was short-lived.
In 2024 and early 2025, Atupele engaged in behind-the-scenes talks to resurrect the alliance. But sources indicate that he insisted on leading any such arrangement, refusing to be a junior partner to the increasingly fragmented DPP.
His stance reportedly irked key DPP figures, especially given Arthur Peter Mutharika’s frail health and apparent indecision on running again. But there has been hope.
When Atupele formally announced his presidential bid and collected nomination papers without the DPP, the gloves came off.
This feud underscores what many analysts are calling the final disintegration of Malawi’s opposition landscape. With the UDF, UTM, PP, and DPP all going it alone in the presidential race, and now openly attacking one another, the opposition’s dream of a grand coalition has collapsed.
Insiders say the failure to agree on a joint candidate, especially due to ego clashes between Atupele Muluzi, Dalitso Kabambe, and Peter Mutharika, has made reconciliation impossible. The current insults being traded are not just political jabs; they are proof that the rift is irreparable.
And the biggest beneficiary? The MCP and the incumbent Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera.
With the opposition splintered and embroiled in internal battles, the MCP is facing a weakened challenge heading into September. While the opposition parties are fighting each other, the ruling party is consolidating its base, finalizing nominations, and preparing for a relatively smooth campaign.
If the opposition continues on this path, it may not even require rigging or dirty tricks for MCP to win, it will simply walk through the front door of Capital Hill as the opposition tears itself apart from within.
Instead of offering alternatives, the opposition is trading insults at each other. Instead of presenting unity, they are broadcasting division. Instead of focusing on the real enemy, they are busy settling old scores and breaking bridges they once built together.
For the DPP, UDF, and the rest of Malawi’s opposition, the clock is ticking, and the damage may already be beyond repair.
