Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Publicity Secretary Jessie Kabwila has been linked to a growing campaign against party Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda, following Sunday’s meeting in Msundwe, Lilongwe, where a group of activists demanded his resignation.
The group, calling itself Msundwe Freedom Fighters, accused Chimwendo Banda of contributing to MCP’s poor performance in the September 16 General Elections and warned that the party risks another defeat in 2030 if he remains in his position.
Speaking during the meeting, the group’s spokesperson, George Kaunda, blamed Banda for what he described as irregularities in the party’s primary elections, arguing that some candidates who emerged from the process were not the people’s preferred choices.
Kaunda also questioned the introduction of fees for members seeking elective positions within the party.
He went further and threatened Banda, saying he could disappear if he appeared before the group at Msundwe.
Kabwira, who attended the meeting, spoke about the need to provide equal opportunities to members seeking positions in forthcoming MCP internal elections.
However, her presence at the meeting has attracted questions from some MCP old guards and analysts, who have linked her to the growing campaign against Banda.
There are also allegations that she is mobilising individuals from other political parties and non-party members to push for his removal.
The disagreement is being traced to the June 2026 Lilongwe Bwaila parliamentary by-election, where Kabwira had expressed interest in contesting the seat but eventually stepped aside in favour of MCP’s official candidate, Precious Kabambe.
Banda, with the blessings of the party leadership under then president Lazarus Chakwera, supported Kabambe, who went on to win the constituency.
Some MCP old guards and analysts argue that Banda’s decision to support Kabambe was in line with his responsibilities as Secretary General and the party’s position on the by-election.
They say he should not be blamed for backing an officially endorsed candidate.
His role during the September general election campaign is also being cited in his defence.
Banda was among the senior MCP officials who travelled outside their political strongholds to campaign for the party and its presidential candidate, Chakwera.
He travelled from Nsanje to Chitipa to drum up support for MCP, while some other senior officials including Kabwira concentrated their efforts within their respective political strongholds.
Political commentator James Hassan has also questioned the campaign against Banda, arguing that responsibility for MCP’s electoral defeat should not be placed on the Secretary General alone.
James questioned why those demanding Banda’s resignation were not also calling on Chakwera to account for the party’s performance.
The calls for Banda’s removal have brought MCP’s internal disagreements into the open, with the party facing questions over its leadership, primary elections and accountability following the September electoral defeat.
Banda and Kabwira had not publicly responded to the latest allegations at the time of publication.
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