Is Kambala Truly a Founding Figure of UTM? Bashir Al Bashir Raises Questions
In an article that has sparked considerable debate within Malawi’s political circles, Bashir Al Bashir questions the role and intentions of Newton Kambala within the United Transformation Movement (UTM) party.
Al Bashir argues that Kambala’s foundational status in UTM is overstated and scrutinizes his motivations in seeking UTM’s presidency. With a deep dive into UTM’s registration, as well as the dynamics around its upcoming convention, Al Bashir’s critique urges closer inspection of Kambala’s alliances and true goals.
The Question of UTM Foundership
According to Al Bashir, there is a narrative that inaccurately portrays Kambala as one of UTM’s founding members. To counter this, Al Bashir highlights UTM’s official registration form, which lacks Kambala’s name. “Kambala is not a founder of UTM, as the registration clearly proves,” he states. “We need to stop misleading people into thinking he owns the party.” This assertion calls into question Kambala’s legitimacy and presumed seniority within UTM, raising concerns about the grounds on which he seeks the party’s presidency.
Leadership Intentions: Party or Country?
A key claim Al Bashir makes is that Kambala is prepared to lead a political party but not an entire nation. Al Bashir argues that this distinction could have significant implications for Kambala’s potential leadership within UTM. He points to Kambala’s stated intention to delegate national presidential responsibilities if he were to lead UTM, suggesting that Kambala lacks the readiness to meet the demands of Malawi’s presidency.
“Kambala confesses he is not capable of running the country, yet ironically, he wants to be president of UTM, which aims to become a ruling party,” Al Bashir argues. This seeming contradiction implies either a lack of ambition to govern or a deliberate strategy to keep UTM’s leadership separate from national objectives.
Speculations on Hidden Alliances
Al Bashir further speculates that Kambala may be a placeholder for external forces, potentially aligning with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) or the Malawi Congress Party (MCP). He suggests that, if elected UTM’s president, Kambala could endorse a candidate from one of these parties. Al Bashir references Kambala’s associates—such as Chidanti, Makuta, Kondowe, and Saonda—who show links to the MCP, possibly aligning him with President Lazarus Chakwera.
This suspected alignment with MCP figures raises questions about Kambala’s true motives, with Al Bashir hinting that Kambala could be setting the stage for a future handover of UTM’s leadership to Chakwera. This scenario would signify a significant shift from UTM’s founding vision, potentially placing the party under the influence of outside political forces.
Michael Usi’s Strategic Silence?
Al Bashir also contemplates the silence of Michael Usi, another key UTM figure who has yet to declare his candidacy for UTM’s presidency. This silence, Al Bashir suggests, may be strategic, as Usi’s candidacy might divide MCP-aligned votes within UTM. By allowing Kambala a clear path, Usi may be positioning him to gather support from MCP loyalists, while sidestepping an internal split that could damage his own chances.
The Larger Implications for UTM’s Future
Reflecting on these dynamics, Al Bashir questions Kambala’s commitment to UTM’s vision. “If Kambala truly cared about UTM and its mission, he would allow those with both ambition and a national vision to vie for leadership. The stakes are too high for Malawi’s future to leave UTM’s leadership to someone without clear dedication to the party or the nation,” he remarks.
In Al Bashir’s view, Dr. Dalitso Kabambe, rather than Kambala, embodies the leadership potential UTM and the nation need. Kabambe, he argues, possesses the qualities and vision to guide Malawi into the future.
A Pivotal Choice for Malawi
As UTM moves toward its convention, Al Bashir’s analysis serves as a rallying call for UTM members and the Malawian public to critically assess the motives and alliances of those vying for leadership. With the country looking to UTM for fresh governance, the party’s leadership choice could significantly influence Malawi’s political trajectory.
If Al Bashir’s concerns are valid, the UTM leadership race goes beyond selecting a party president; it is a decision about whether UTM remains a transformative political force or becomes a tool for external interests. This choice will undoubtedly shape the party’s vision and Malawi’s governance in the years to come.
