Mumba’s MCP NEC exit sparks concerns over intra-party democracy

Critics are describing Trade Minister Vitumbiko Mumba’s resignation from the governing MCP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) as a reflection of internal democratic challenges.

Mumba, while reaffirming his loyalty to the party, cited internal politics as his reason for stepping down.

In a Facebook post, he said the decision would allow him to focus on more meaningful matters.

He also criticized the NEC’s composition, claiming that over 80% of its co-opted members neither contested in party elections nor paid nomination fees, while more deserving members were sidelined.

Political analyst Victor Chipofya warned that the resignation could damage the party’s image, saying it reveals a lack of intra-party democracy.

“Any party displaying a lack of internal democratic values cannot be trusted at the national level. This resignation hurts MCP because it’s coming from someone who was part of the system,” said Chipofya.

Governance expert Chimwemwe Tsitsi from the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) also weighed in with his views, suggesting the impact may be limited.

“This might reinforce negative perceptions among non-MCP members or sympathizers, but is unlikely to significantly change the views of loyal party supporters,” Tsitsi noted.

Meanwhile, MCP’s second deputy publicity secretary, Ken Msonda, said that either the party’s Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda or National Publicity Secretary Jessie Kabwila would be better suited to respond. However, multiple attempts to reach both officials for comment were unsuccessful.