The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) – an association for the Catholic bishops in Malawi – has expressed disappointment with the endless squabbling in the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

The erstwhile governing party has been in protracted intraparty fight over leadership.

The squabbling reached its climax in January this year when party leader Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika – or APM as he is fondly called by his followers – convened a National Governing Council (NGC) meeting in Mangochi where he publicly shouted at the ‘rebels’, including NGC member Ken Msonda.

The party later expelled its vice president for the Southern Region, Kondwani, and several others for allegedly brewing confusion.

In their pastoral letter read in all the Catholic Churches in Malawi on Sunday, the Catholic bishops expressed disappointment with the squabbles, wondering if the fighting will help to address the social and economic challenges Malawians are facing.

The bishops, led by His Lordship George Desmond Tambala of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, said the actions taken by the DPP have potential to drive Malawi backwards.

“We watch with dismay the continuous squabbles that are being manifested in the political parties. What is seen are continuous fights that either end in circles of expulsions of members from parties or court injunctions and cases. In our view, these are actions that are driving democracy backwards and have the potential to throw this country into chaos and further dehumanizing poverty. Are these individuals or groupings fighting for an opportunity to serve the interest of Malawians or to forge opportunities to take up advantageous positions and satisfy their own interests? Malawians are crying out for political parties that put the interests of the nation before their own interests,” reads part of the epistle.

DPP publicity secretary Shadric Namablomba was not immediately available to comment on the matter.