Chilima stimulating renewed DPP politics, say analysts

Some political analysts have described Vice-President Saulos Chilima’s allusion to the purported internal problems facing the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as a sign of ridding old-school politics from the party.

For the first time, Chilima touched on some contentious party issues during a development rally addressed by President Peter Mutharika in Ndirande, Blantyre on Sunday.

In a loaded but brief speech, Chilima—who is not known to hold any position in DPP national governing council as he joined politics after Mutharika picked him from private sector to be his running mate in the May 20 2014 Tripartite Elections—advised Mutharika against “taming snakes in the party”, saying that would result in his administration losing direction and damaging his image.

Chilima also advised the President to be careful with some DPP members who he alleged were breeding confusion in the party.

But political scientist based at the University of Malawi’s Chancellor College, Boniface Dulani, while not wanting to create a mountain out of a mole hill, said by openly speaking against “confusionists” in the party, Chilima may have observed old-school politics which he wants to change.

Said Dulani: “We should expect that a party [DPP] as big as they are, they are bound to have differences. But of course you can also see that there is the old school DPP politicians used to the old style of politicking. And maybe that difference is what the Vice-President is trying to advocate.

“So, inevitably that is likely to bring tension and it is understandable. But I think the DPP needs to manage this well by not alienating the new breed of politicians while also making sure that it has strong support among the old-school politicians.”

The political scientist while commending Chilima for bringing out the issues, said the DPP needs to balance the two.

“They need to address it, they cannot just ignore it. I also hope the party does not chose to go the old style of politics because if the old school ends up deciding the future, then I think they are doomed,” said Dulani.

Blantyre International University (BIU) philosophy lecturer Francis Bisika said by advising the President and party members publicly, Chilima may have done so to demonstrate that it was done in good faith not malice.

He said while some DPP members may view the advice to the President differently, Chilima may have brought the issues out because of his corporate world experience which promotes adherence to job description or portfolio.

Chilima delivered home his powerful message in a light-hearted manner.