Most people expect that when the Tonse Alliance members meet as summoned by President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, the issue of his vice would be high on the agenda.
However, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), the leading party in the Alliance, has described the meeting as one of such regular gatherings that the President calls for from time to time.
MCP Publicity Secretary Reverend Maurice Munthali said although he is not aware of the agenda, such meetings are aimed at discussing progress in the efforts of rebuilding the country.
“I do not know the specific agenda. All I know is that the President has to call for such meetings (of all alliance partners) on regular basis for concerted efforts in rebuilding this country” said Munthali.
Munthali said the President does two things during such meetings; briefing the partners on some key issues pertaining to the running of government and also listens and takes note of what partners feel over the same.
President Chakwera has called for the meeting on Friday. The meeting would come just days after Vice President Saulos Chilima had his delegated duties withheld due to corruption allegations.
This will be the first time that Chakwera will be meeting Chilima and other Alliance partners since the Vice President had his delegated duties withheld. It is also the first time the partners are meeting since last year and it is yet to be established whether Chilima or his UTM team will attend the meeting.
Media reports say four of the alliance partners have confirmed in separate interviews of the meeting, with one of them calling it a make or break meeting.
“Some of us will be eager to know the future of this alliance. I just feel that we seem to have taken a different direction. Do we still have this alliance or it’s time each of us focused on their own parties?” said one of the alliance members who did not want to be named.
Umodzi Party President, Dr John Chisi, while confirming that he will attend the meeting, also said he is not aware of the agenda and therefore cannot comment on what issues he may raise.
Chisi said: “I just got the communication yesterday. I do not know about the agenda so I really cannot say what issues I will raise”.