By Isaac Salima & Blessings Makuwira:

Leaders of UTM, Alliance for Democracy (Aford) and United Democratic Front (UDF) met over the weekend, when they discussed the issue of going into an electoral alliance.

Those who are privy to the issue have told us that UTM president Dalitso Kabambe, Aford’s Enock Chihana and UDF leader Atupele Muluzi held alliance talks but that they are yet to reach a consensus on the issue.

While keeping a tight lid on the outcome of the meeting, Chihana confirmed to have discussed the alliance issue with leaders of the two parties.

“Three leaders of opposition parties indeed sat and shared notes. You know we have one thing in common as we are all in opposition; so, there are some things we need to sit down and discuss and see how we can approach the 2025 [general elections]. Malawians should just wait and see how we are going to progress with our discussions,” he said.

He added that there were a number of things that needed to be done before they could come up with an alliance.

UTM spokesperson Felix Njawala also confirmed that the meeting took place, adding that Malawians would be informed of the outcome at an appropriate time.

UDF officials asked for ample time before they could comment on the issue.

Apart from UTM, Aford and UDF, other parties that have hinted at working together are People’s Party (PP) and Malawi Forum for Unity and Development (Mafunde).

Over the weekend, PP Eastern Region governor Maxwell Sakwiya expressed confidence that their alliance with Mafunde party would bring about positive change and development to Malawi come September 16 2025.

Sakwiya made the sentiment at a political rally held in Balaka District on Saturday.

According to Sakwiya, PP has a solution to the challenges that Malawians are facing.

He said challenges that Malawi was facing were due to failure by the current administration.

“The rising cost of commodities at the market is a clear indication that the current administration has failed Malawians, hence the need to vote for the PP and Mafunde alliance, which will automatically bring positive change to many Malawians that are suffering out there,” Sakwiya said.

Meanwhile, aspiring member of Parliament for Balaka Ngwangwa, George Mnesa, has urged Malawians to vote for the alliance if they want development activities to proliferate in the country.

Mnesa said their alliance with PP would help them address challenges that Malawians were facing.

“Let me urge you to vote for us in the coming elections if you want development activities to take place in the country,” Mnesa said.

Meanwhile, political commentator George Chaima has urged parties to ensure that they formalise their electoral alliances.

“Parties must ensure that they assess their strengths. Honestly, in Malawi