PP meeting endorses Mia, Fatchi : Malawi ex-ruling party in its ‘deepest crisis’

In the battle for thE soul of former ruling People’s Party (PP) the leadership confusion rages on as some members of the southern region committee have agreed to install former minister Sidik Mia and Blantyre-based businessperson Caesar Fatchi as interim leaders.

Mia resigned from PP before the 2014 elections and endorsed United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate Atupele Muluzi who lost to President Peter Mutharika but they are now in governing pact.

The lower shire political giant announced that he had quit frontline politics and concentrating on his businesses.

But a meeting of some PP officials at Sunnyside in Blantyre on Wednesday, agreed to hola a rally and announce interim leadership of PP with Mia and Fatchi.

Fatchi, who wanted to contest with founder and party leader, Joyce Banda at the (PP) national conference, confirmed he had been approached to be its vice president for the south.

Previous holder of PP vice president (south), Brown Mpinganjira resigned from the party.

PP spokesman Ken Msonda said the party has heard about the rumours.

“Those who don’t wish us well are just trying ti bring confusion,” he said.

The development comes after party’s regional provincial chair (North) Christopher Ngwira controversially announced that former Malawi vice-president Khumbo Kachali is PP interim president.

Ngwira said the absence of party leader Joyce Banda is heavily affecting PP growth.

But PP secretary general Ibrahim Matola disowned Ngwira’s remarks on Kachali’s leadership. Kachali himself also recognised Banda as legitimate president of the party.

Banda left the country soon after losing the 2014 presidential elections.

Political analysts have called on PP to come together and solve the  existential threat to its existence.

The analysts says this could be the greatest crisis PP has faced since it was created.

Matola admitted the party needed a “thorough rethink”, but denied claims it was experiencing its worse crisis.

He said the party will address the issues.

In bid to rebuild the party, it will mean PP divides rather than unites in the short term in its search for answers, between new and old members.