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| National |
| Free Chilumpha, Muluzi demands |
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by
Rabecca Theu, 05 November 2006
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03:51:39
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United Democratic Front (UDF) chairman Bakili Muluzi yesterday welcomed President Bingu wa Mutharika’s calls for reconciliation but warned that unless the latter extended the same olive branch to other stakeholders and released Vice President Cassim Chilumpha from house arrest, peace overtures maybe meaningless.
Muluzi was addressing journalists on arrival from South Africa where he went for medical checkup in September this year.
“The issue of reconciliation is a welcome development, but the President should not only be talking reconciliation with me but all other sectors of the society—the church, organisations as well as journalists...As we are talking now, the Vice President is under house arrest.
“A situation should be created where Chilumpha should be released. This will promote peace and dialogue as well as human rights, all of which are part of our Constitution. They should either take him to court or release him...I remember he was arrested on the 25th of April. It’s almost eight months down the road. Is that fair?
“If they have evidence let them show it,” said the former President.
During the visit of the African Union Secretary General Alpha Omar Konare a month ago, Mutharika expressed his desire for the two leaders to reconcile, two years after a war of words left them bitter enemies.
Two weeks ago, the President reiterated his wish upon his return from an extraordinary Heads of State Summit in South Africa by saying he was looking forward to the time he will delegate Muluzi to represent the country at an international conference.
On his arrival yesterday, Muluzi was clad in an executive white striped black suit, a dotted neck tie and black shoes. He was graced by former First Lady, Shanil who was dressed in her familiar traditional attire.
The two were welcomed by hundreds of UDF supporters donning yellow attire, who flocked to the airport in saloon cars and lorries. Others arrived on foot hours before the plane’s scheduled time of arrival of 12:30 pm.
As the South African Airways’ ZS-SJB touched the ground at 12:55 pm, women’s ululation filled the air, blended by funeral hymns. There was no dancing, only singing and waving in the air with hands, handkerchiefs and Muluzi’s portraits. Muluzi did not address the crowd that had gathered to welcome him.
It was mourning time, as Brown Mpinganjira, one of UDF’s executive members, explained later. “He is mourning the death of his grandfather, chief Kapoloma of Machinga.” The Yao chief died last Tuesday and was buried on Wednesday.
Other UDF gurus that welcomed Muluzi were Harry Thomson, Leonard Mangulama, Humphreys Mvula, Lilian Patel and the former President’s son Atupele. Sam Mpasu, UDF’s spokesperson was missing.
Commenting on calls that he should retire from active politics, Muluzi simply said he could not resign.
“When you people talk about active politics you make me laugh. How do you retire from active politics? People should differentiate between a President leaving office and retiring from politics. There is Sam Mujoma (former Namibian President), Joachim Chissano (former President of Mozambique), who are still leading their parties...Why should I retire?,” Challenged Muluzi.
He could not comment on the recent talk of having political parties merging to defeat the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.
“I have not heard about that, but 2009 is a bit far. There is still time,” said Muluzi,who was in a jovial mood, looking physically strong and declared that he was in better health now than on his return from the United Kingdom.
Muluzi said the last four days—from 29 October to 2 November—of his stay in South Africa, saw him attending a forum of Former African Heads of State and Government and chief executives of multilateral organisations where six committees, that directly look at the welfare of Africa, were formed.
The former President was elected a member of two committees—the one on Post Conflict Reconstruction and Development and Committee and another on Democracy, Elections and Human Rights.
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