Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lilongwe (Fides Service)- Unfortunately growing confusion in the political situation is causing such a reaction among the people who can hardly believe what is happening and has to accept that it has been tricked” said a local source in Lilongwe, capital of Malawi, a month after political and parliamentary elections (see Fides 25 May 2004).
“In the period immediately after the elections there was a general disbanding of the Opposition which in parliament had an absolute majority but is now annulling its victory for the interests of individual party leaders who are unwittingly selling the country” Fides sources said. “The former president, Bakili Muluzi, still chairman of the party which won the elections the United Democratic Front, has taken it on himself to divide the Opposition and convince with corruption several Opposition leaders to cross the floor and join his party. Although his party won the presidency with Bingu wa Mutharika, it lost more than 40 MPs. To facilitate steps to weaken the opposition the first sitting of parliament has been postponed until 28 June”.
The fact that the leader of the opposition coalition Gwanda Chakwamba and all his party joined the UDF in exchange for three ministries caused a national scandal. The same happened with Brown Mpinganjira and the National Democratic Alliance which fused with the UDF. Besides creating problems with the constitution which considers this passage and change of party and should lead to new elections in the area from which the MP hails.
“The elections on May 20 were the third elections in Malawi and they proved that political stability is making headway in Malawi with a democracy which is growing slowly. The irresponsibility of the leaders of the opposition parties and the silence of the new president is not of good omen for the country which is still among the six poorest countries in the world and needs to open new paths, This is a shame because this could have been the start of a good political climate in Malawi” Fides sources conclude. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 22/6/2004 righe 32 parole 396)
