Mutharika, Muluzi urged to burry hatchets

From friend to foes: Mutharika and Muluzi

Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika and his predecessor Bakili Muluzi have been persuaded to burry political differences as the country approaches May general elections to ensure continued peace and stability.

The call was sounded by human rights campaigner, Billy Banda who is executive director of Malawi Watch following a bitter disparage through letters exchanged between the two leaders.

In the correspondence now in public domain, the President accuses his predecessor of spreading many “lies” among other things that Mutharika is suffering from prostate cancer and in turn writes that he knows Muluzi is a sick man.

The former president pointed out in his reply that he has since being cured of disc problems which "came about because of the grueling campaign of 2004 that I had undertaken on Your Excellency’s behalf".

But speaking on Day Break Malawi programme of Capital FM Radio, Banda called for “reconciliation” amongst the two leaders.

“The two leaders have not done fairness to our society. In the first place I think the letter from President to the former president has a lot to be desired and the tone itself has quite a number of issues that the society could not realy like. I could say it’s very sad development,” said Banda.

He said the exchange of the letters confirmed that the rift between two leaders are beyond repairable.

“In my personal opinion, there is an issue of lack of- maybe- appreciation by president against the former president. Honestly speaking, Muluzi gave Malawians a good leader and we should acknowledge that,” said Malawi Watch head.

“Bingu is one good leader who has made tremendous contribution to our economy; who has also brought about food security and also who has improved a number of social aspect in our country,” he noted.

Banda highlighted that President Mutharika should lead Malawians in recognizing that Muluzi - who ruled Malawi after after regime change from one party dictatorship of Ngwazi Kamuzu Banda  to mulit-party democracy - played a very important role to make Malawians achieve what they could not have attained if there was another leader.

Malawi Watch director however expressed dismay that the President‘s letter lacked decorum.

“The tone of the later was not reconciliatory,” Banda said.

In the letter, the Head of State threatened to arrest Muluzi if privately owned online publication Nyasa Times and any other media continue writing about Mutharika’s health concern.

Banda said the letters exchanged by President Mutharika and former president Muluzi are of public interest.

Another human rights activist Nigel Mwalweni concurred with Malawi Watch observation that the two leaders should reconcile.

“Malawians are being held on ransom for the differences of the two –Mutharika and Muluzi. For the sake of the nation the two should talk and end their turf,” said Mwalweni.

But Pofela Nyekanyela a political scientist said reconciliation at the time elections are nearing would not be a possibility.

“I cannot see reconciliation working. These are main competitors in the polls and only the ballot will solve the problem or even aggravate it further,” said Nyekanyeka.

He said Malawi was facing such an awkward situation because of “old timers still clinging to power.”

“Both Muluzi and Mutharika will be contesting the presidency for the third time in 2009. Muluzi had a first go in 1994 and then in 1999. While Mutharika first attempt was a miserable 1999 and he contested for the second time in 2004 and next May will be his third consecutive attempt for presidency. Perhaps, Malawi needs a new generation of leaders and both Mutharika and Muluzi should honourably leave the political stage,” said Nyekanyeka.

Mutharika was handpicked by Muluzi for the United Democratic Front (UDF) presidential candidacy in the 2004 elections. Mutharika then dumped UDF soon afterwards and formed his Democratic Progressive Party bolstered by former UDF members.