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| Opinion |
| Chihana’s move a betrayal |
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by
Richard Duwa, 20 August 2003
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09:34:03
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After more than three decades of aristocratic regime Malawi first experienced a democratic government by electing the United Democratic Front (UDF) into power. Through the process of voting, Malawians showed their powers by choosing the members of the National Assembly and even the state President of their choice.
It was because of this choice that people begun to experience their birth rights that were being denied during the one-party regime. Among them was the right to life, freedom of association and that of expression to mention but a few.
It is with this effect that people begun to enjoy their life of being Malawians.
Prior to this, we saw a few parties being formed. These included, the UDF, Malawi Democratic Party (MDP), Alliance for Democracy (Aford), Malawi National Democratic Party (MNDP). They geared for the presidency and the parliamentary seats. After we voted, Bakili Muluzi became president and his UDF won more seats in the national assembly than any other party.
I remember while young, when we were attracted by women and men celebrating the defeat of the old MCP. However, after five years of Dr Bakili Muluzi’s rule, we saw a dramatic elections where by despite the main oppositions then, Aford and Malawi Congress Party MCP), teaming up, Muluzi and his party emerged the winners.
There were a lot of reactions after the results were publicised. The MCP president Gwanda Chakuamba reached the extent of challenging the results through the courts. However, he was unsuccessful.
Muluzi was enthroned as the State President. And things continued not to go well with the parties following their loss on the presidential race. It begun with the MCP vice president planning to unseat his boss.
That was real threat to Chakuamba that he even sought a court injunction restraining John Tembo from holding a party convention in Lilongwe while the other one by Chakuamba was scheduled to take place in Blantyre.
Tembo, however, defied the order. That was enough to cost him his parliamentary seat together with Kate Kainja the then party secretary general.
At this point, the controversial third term bid was in Parliament, after Karonga North East member of Parliament, Khwauli Msisya tabled it. However, it failed to pass on the fact that it did not get a two thirds majority support to pass.
We later heard the then Attorney General, Henry Phoya saying the bid was to be reviewed by the parliamentary legal affairs committee. At that point the President came forward to say that he was not going for the third term. But had chosen Dr Bingu Mutharika and Dr Cassim Chilumpha to stand on the presidential race.
This was enough to divide the ruling UDF. Every individual who opposed this was shown the exit, whether directly or indirectly.
Now we see an interesting cabinet claimed to be of national unity where Chakufwa Chihana and some of his loyalist were included. We felt it was a new dawn in the political history of Malawi where we see more than one party working together in government. However, to the surprise of many, it is proving to be a flop.
Members who are reasonable enough to stand their grounds were coerced to leave their parties. These include Greene Mwamondwe and his Genuine Aford faction. They felt that by working with the UDF, Chihana had betrayed them.
People had a lot to say concerning Gaford forgetting that we must firstly listen to the tune a shepherd is whistling before stopping him. We heard recently Chihana announcing that he will not contest in presidential elections next year in order top pave way for Bingu. Is Chihana really meaning it? Or, if that is true, has he consulted his party’s sympathisers?
While the UDF and its loyalists are happy for obvious reasons, some Aford members feel that they have been betrayed. They trusted Chihana and believed that he was to lead them to the desired destiny. Now he has taken the wrong way. He has chosen to give his presidency to someone because of money.
We Malawians do forget that money is evil and everybody who goes astray with it is evil too.
What the nation should expect now is betrayal, betrayal and betrayal because money has taken root in the hearts of these leaders. Even those we thought were fathers and defenders of Malawi’s democracy.
Even if it means choosing leaders, then this trait of leaders should be left out because they are failing to honour what their respective parties and their constitutions say and expect of them. Are they going to lead the nation well. Definitely no. There is no way a cheat at a small scale can do right if given more.
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