Mutharika not invited to independence day, says he cannot feast while Malawians suffer

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) President Peter Mutharika says he was not invited to this year’s 6th July Independence Day celebrations, and insists he would not have attended even if invited, arguing he cannot “feast with MCP” while Malawians are facing economic misery.

The statement comes just days before the country celebrates 61 years of independence, with the main national event scheduled for Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.

Through the official DPP Facebook page, Mutharika dismissed reports circulating on social media suggesting that the Malawi Congress Party-led government had extended an invitation which he turned down. He clarified that no such invitation was made and insisted that even if he had been invited, he would not have attended.

“Let them not deceive you. They haven’t called me to 6th July independence celebration. Even if they invited me as former president, I wouldn’t participate,” Mutharika wrote on Facebook on Thursday. “Why feast with MCP while Malawians are wallowing in poverty, no drugs in hospitals, fuel shortages, and forex shortages?”

On Thursday, Minister of Information and Digitalisation Moses Kunkuyu while confirming plans for this year’s celebration which will run under the theme “Restoring Broken Foundations: Taking Malawi Forward,” stated that the government has adopted a cost-effective approach.

“Our celebrations this year have been planned with minimal expenditure, emphasizing accountability and responsible use of public resources at every level,” Kunkuyu explained.

The event will be graced by President Lazarus Chakwera and Botswana’s President, Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, who arrives Saturday and will be honoured with the Freedom of the City at Lilongwe Civic Offices.