Malawi opposition Aford president Gowa quits leadership, Shawa takes over
Alliance for Democracy (Aford) president Dindi Gowa Nyasulu has quit his leadership position and has been replaced by his deputy, Godfrey Shawa.
“Gowa Nyasulu is retiring from active politics to concentrate on family life,” AFORD Secretary General Khwauli Msiska told a news conference in the capital, Lilongwe, Sunday.
Msiska,a lawmaker and deputy minister in President Joyce Banda’s inclusive government, said Aford respects Gowa Nyasulu’s wish to withdraw from active politics and “wishes him well as he gets on with his life.”
He disclosed that Shawa has been appointed by the party’s politburo to act as party president.
“In accordance with Section 17 paragraph 17.2 of our Party Constitution ‘if the office of Party President becomes vacant, the First Vice President automatically takes over as President for the remainder of the term of the outgoing President.’ Hence in keeping with this Constitutional proviso, Godfrey Shawa has automatically assumed the duties of the office of President,” explained Msiska.
AFORD was founded by pro-democracy activist Chakufwa Chihana in 1992 after the influential Catholic Church made the first direct challenge to the then one-party dictatorship under Hastings Kamuzu Banda and his Malawi Congress Party (MCP) through a pastoral letter.
Msiska said AFORD shall continue “to champion consolidation of democratic values within the Party and for the country at large.”
Meanwhile, Aford says it will hold its much awaited National Convention in December.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
