MCP Secretary General Kaliwo calls for Emergency convention : Plans to Oust Chakwera

A plan to oust under-fire Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president, Lazarus Chakwera is swiftly coming into fruition as a grouping of party rebels led by Secretary General, Gustav Kaliwo have called for an emergency convention slated for July this year.

Kaliwo addressing a news conference
Kaliwo flanked by MCP officials

Kaliwo on Saturday told the media in Blantyre in a news conference  that due to growing concerns by party chairpersons across the country and with the backing of the party’s constitution, it was necessary to call for the convention set for July 7th to July 9th at yet to be disclosed venue to resolve the internal squabbles that have plunged the party into chaotic state.

“I have had meetings with almost 23 committees from various districts across the country who requested me to call for a convention. Time is running out, as Malawi Congress Party we need to put our house in order if we are to have any chance in 2019. Therefore, I am today announcing a convention will take place on Friday 7th July to Sunday 9th July,” said Kaliwo to the jubilation of party chairpersons who attended the briefing.

“Delegates to the convention are those who attended the August 2013 convention. If anyone questions my authority, they should know I have been authorized by the Malawi Congress Party constitution to call for the convention,” he said.

According to Article 40 of the MCP constitution, an emergency convention can only be called if the party’s national executive committee resolves by two thirds of its membership, or at the request of half of the number of the district committees.

Kaliwo franked by his deputy Chatonda Kaunda challenged that he has a backing of more than half of the party’s district committees to call for the convention and his move has a blessing of some of the executive committee members.

“There might be some people in the executive committee who support me on this and others might have different opinion.”

Kaliwo accused Chakwera of snubbing his calls for a face to face meeting to resolve some of the issues have been making rounds in the media about the party’s leadership.

He argued his efforts to resolve the raised concerns by party supporters through their respective chairpersons hit a blank wall following Chakwera’s refusal to meet him.

Kaliwo then challenged that his decision is final and those who feel aggrieved should, instead of seeking legal remedy, engage in public debate on the legality of his call for the convention.

“The convention is the highest authority of the party. Some people might find this unacceptable, they are entitled to their opinion but the party belongs to these people (district chairpersons). Let us not destroy the party. We can disagree but let’s not be disagreeable.

“My decision is final unless the court of law decides otherwise. I am ready to comply with any decision courts may make. I have complied with MCP constitution. Those who feel I don’t have legitimacy to call for convention should not waste party resources going to court; lets have a public debate on this,” he added.

Asked about funds for the convention and if it is going to make leadership change, Kaliwo said the agenda for the convention would be decided by the party and that he has only following demands by the district committees.

MCP deputy Secretary General, Eisenhower Mkaka refused to comment on Kaliwo’s calls, asking for more time to analyze the constitution.

According to Article 38 (1) of the constitution, the convention being the highest authority of the party may remove the president, deputy president, or a member of national executive committee from office before the lapse of the period of which he or she was elected if he or she willfully and persistently disobeys the constitution.

MCP has been hit by a political whirlwind and cracks of division are now visible in the country’s oldest party with Chakwera being accused of corruption and lack of leadership.

Chakwera has been in the media accused of funds abuse, corruption and dictatorship.

The rebelling group accuses Chakwera of practicing tyrannical leadership which they regard as a threat to the country’s democracy once if he is elected as Malawi President.

They also cited diversion of party funds into his personal accounts as another ground aside from accusations of soliciting money from renowned business tycoons in return for positions and favours once the party gets into government.

The district chairpersons who attended the press briefing on Saturday hail from the districts of Nsanje, Kasungu, Zomba, Mchinji, Chiradzulu, Blantyre, Dedza, Mwanza, Salima, Machinga and NkhataBay.

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DOBO
DOBO
6 years ago

Five things to consider before commenting.1. It is extremely difficult to remove party leader or president in Malawi and Africa as whole before expiry.2.Kalwo as Secrezary General is not inherited from any MCP convention.3. Who ever funding the the said convention will waste the money for nothing if it is not only treat. 4. The call for convention is ,by Malawi politics, coming. from unworthy politician considering the fact that Malawi is totally devided along regional and trihal line 5. What is happening now to Chakwera is glorifying and popularise Chakwera because large portion of. ellegible voters in Malawi hold… Read more »

Dr Patel
Dr Patel
6 years ago

Akutumidwa awa ndi Lovemore Munlo and Jessei Kabwira. Mark my word. Failures in politics

Reality
6 years ago

My question is, WILL MCP RULE THE COUNTRY AGAIN? If there is noa peace among the leaders themslvels,trust me 2019 it will be just a waste of their resources.

Hatton
Hatton
6 years ago

Congrats Bwana Kaliwo, this is long overdue. Push ahead and have this done. indeed legitimately elected members as per 2013 polls must attend and vote at this decisive gathering. I salute you Bwana Kaliwo and do not allow to be intimadated. we are all behind you.

Zakaliya
Zakaliya
6 years ago

Mr Kaliwo Mtima he thinks Malawians can vote for him in 2019. We know it very well that its game plan as he agreed the the ruling party. If this will be the case then Chilima will be the next President and not iwowa a Kaliwo.

Ndndala
Ndndala
6 years ago

Msowoya has vowed to remove Chakwera. Big plans if he is not careful chakwera will be surprised

wa Mwale
6 years ago

Mr Kaliwo, you are good and indeed a lawyer but you cannot do anything over this issue, Reason is very simple you are not a person equel to Dr Chakwera, if mcp produced a leader to lead it who is very good, that Dr Chakwera or else no one, if you as GS of the party can not even win a seat in your home district what can you do in mcp? I am not trying to think you should not put forward your views in the matter of the party, my point is simple, you can not lead mcp… Read more »

Concerned MCP Member
Concerned MCP Member
6 years ago

A Kaliwo musatisokonezere chipani. Inu timadziwa kuti udindowo mumawufuna, koma choti mudziwe ndi chakuti olo mutatani inu simungakhale mtsogoleri wa MCP. Ingodikirani nthawi yake idzakwana ya convention tione ngati mungadzapambane ndi Chakwera . Dyera la maudindo basi

Richard Mwale
Richard Mwale
6 years ago

MCP yatha ngati makatani if I am to borrow atcheya’s words. Eventually, there is no strong opposition party in this country thereby giving more chances for DPP to rule this country beyond 2019.

Tadala
Tadala
6 years ago

MCP repeating history of 1997-1999 that saw the party being divided between the Chakuamba and the Tembo Camps. If Kaliwo is has memories he could have avoided this. He is bitter with his weaning popularity with the coming of Sidik Mia hence he has taken the root of sinking the party for all to loose. Why is he joining a group of change resistors and people who don’t want to accept failure? Some of the so called district chairmen have been there for decades but could not impart their political careers to their children and grand children so that now… Read more »

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