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Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) says most of the people the organisation has consulted want the Constitution to bar retired presidents from engaging in active politics as doing so only breeds confusion.
CHRR Project Officer Maweya Phiri said on Monday at a press briefing in Blantyre that the people consulted feel retired Presidents may interfere with an incumbent if allowed to participate in active politics.
“In the nine districts we have been to representatives of the people are of the view that a retired president should not participate in active politics as he may interfere with the current president’s affairs,” said Phiri.
He said former presidents have experience in running government and they may undermine the work of the sitting president.
“For example, if the former president continues to hold rallies and the current president is also holding rallies, this may have an influence on people’s loyalty to the current president,” said Phiri.
He added that the highest position in one’s political life is the presidency and that there is no need to continue active politics after retirement.
“What else will one want after presidency, ”queried Phiri.
Asked if this is not a way of limiting one’s rights to participate in politics Phiri said it is not so, but a way of avoiding conflicts.
“On policies, for example, the former president may say one thing while the present one says something else. This confuses the public and brings in conflicts,” he said.
He, however, said that there is nothing wrong with the former president acting as an advisor to the governing party.
“In 2009 Malawi may consider establishing a Presidential Council. Malawi must come up with institutions which can engage former presidents,” said Phiri.
CHRR consulted people on the on-going constitutional review process in Mangochi, Dedza, Mchinji, Karonga, Chitipa, Zomba, Salima Lilongwe rural and urban.
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