Speaker Msowoya rubbishes Kaliwo on Mia and for calling Chakwera ‘coward or victim of hostage’: MCP civil war

Speaker of Parliament Richard Msowoya in his capacity as vice president of opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has rubbished a letter written by the party’s Secretary General Gustave Kaliwo questioning the relationship between President Lazarous Chakwera and former minister Muhammed Sidik Mia as well as calling Chakwera a coward or victim of a hostage situation.

Kaliwo in his letter to Chakwera, questioned the relationship between Mia and MCP, saying it is a “worst kept secret” that is causing friction in the party over presidential running mate issue.

He informs Chakwera that there are party officials that are working with Mia – a political heavyweight in the Lower Shire.

“There is talk of parallel structures being established in readiness for his coming to the party. I have no problem whatsoever welcoming Hon Sidik Mia and working with him in the party. He just needs to join openly and work with us openly,” Kaliwo said in the letter to Chakwera.

But Msowoya who was Chakwera’s running mate in 2014 presidential race trashed the assertions, saying there was no way there could be running mate factions in MCP between him and Mia who is rank outsider.

Msowoya said when Mia decided to join MCP; there will be leadership contests in a democratic and transparent way at a national convention.

“Even then, it will be the president who will choose his running mate,” said Msowoya.

When interviewed by Nyasa Times on Thursday, Mia said from his Chikwawa Nkombezi farm that he remains out of frontline politics.

“I walked away from frontline politics and the status quo has not changed,” said Mia who resigned as People’s Party’s vice president and also as Transport Minister in Joyce Banda cabinet.

Pressed if he is doing “underground politics”, Mia dismissed the assertions and maintained: “It’s neither here nor there. I want to recharge my batteries by staying away from politics.”

Censure on coward or hostage remarks

Meanwhile, Msowoya has also faulted the party’s Secretary General over his tone in the letter and decision to address issue through correspondence to MCP president.

He said Kaliwo’s conduct of writing a letter is “childish” as he had an opportunity to address all concerns raised through the party politburo meeting.

In his letter, Kaliwo said Chakwera was either a coward or a victim of a hostage situation on the day he failed to meet him before the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.

He complained about the action of Chakwera’s personal handler Ishmael Phakamisa who denied access to meet the MCP leader in “rude” and “demeaning” conduct.

But Msowoya said Kaliwo is being “childish” in raising his concerns, saying “I am very disappointed.”

Msowoya further explained that decisions in MCP are not made by one person and that Chakwera does not dictate things.

“In MCP it is the NEC that makes decisions,” he said.

Msowoya rubbished assertions by Kaliwo that it was Chakwera making all the decisions, saying that is false.