‘Aford is not on auction’

As we approach the tripartite elections in May 2014, several political parties have held conventions. However, the Alliance for Democracy (Aford), has been postponing its convention a number of times. They have now set September 5 (tomorrow) for their convention. EDWIN NYIRONGO found out from party secretary general Khwauli Msiska about issues within the party.

Q: Aford convention has been postponed a number of times. Why?

A: The reasons have been logistical. We were not able to mobilise resources, specifically funds. We wanted to have a convention which was properly managed and funded so that at the end of the day, everyone goes home happy.

Q: You have now set September 5th as a date for the convention. Will it not be postponed again?

A: The information I got from the convention committee is that everything is set and there is little chance that it will be postponed again. I am very confident that come September 5 and 6 (Thursday and Friday), the convention will take place.

Q: How many people are standing, particularly for the presidency?

A: For the presidency, I have heard of four people. And that includes me.

Q: Did you say that you are contesting?

Certainly, I am standing as Aford president.

A: You are the secretary general of the party. Aren’t you comfortable with your position?

Indeed the position of secretary general is demanding. Actually, it is the engine of the party. But based on the experience that I have, and being the longest serving secretary general, one can imagine the experience and knowledge I have to run the party. Time has come for me to change positions. You see, people feel that the future of Aford is at stake, which is why they are saying that Aford is not for sale. They are saying Aford must never be auctioned. Given my record, I represent the future of the party. This is shown by the commitment that I have demonstrated to the party. You may recall that in 2009, I was the only Aford member of Parliament (MP). I stood my ground for the ideals of the party so that it did not disappear.

Q: What is your agenda for Aford?

A: I have an agenda to rebuild the party to what it used to be. You see, politics is about visibility and audibility. I have issues that can move the party forward. I also have an economic agenda for the country. All these require experience and I believe I have that. Mind you, I started politics at the age of 19. So, I know what is required is for the Aford agenda to be attractive.

Q: Aford had over 30 MPs in 1994 but now it has only two. What new ideas will you bring, that is, if you win the presidency, to make it return to its old glory?

A: It should be noted that there were blunders that were made along the way. One of them was failure to project an independent position. We went into a number of alliances and in those alliances we were junior partners. That diluted our niche as an independent party with a clear agenda. Now we have learnt lessons. However, we still feel that this country requires the leadership of a party like Aford. For example, we believe that farmer’s cooperatives are not being used adequately. Aford in its manifesto has a clear message on how to organise the people. Again, government is wasting a lot of money on the Farm Input Subsidy Programme (Fisp) because there is no proper strategy in targeting people. Aford has an answer to that and we are ready to tell the people.

Again, Aford has an agenda in the education sector. If there are historical problems that are preventing some students from attaining higher education, we should address those problems but not at the expense of disadvantaging others.

Q: You were in government but failed to raise these issues. Were you afraid?

A: Not quite. Actually, I was a deputy minister of Economic Planning and Development, which is not an Education Ministry. When I was invited to join government, I was made to believe that the government will do away with this education system, it never came to pass. And as a deputy minister, I had no capacity and power to do anything.

Q: The People’s Party (PP) looks dominant in the North. Aren’t you worried that you want Aford presidency at the wrong time?

A: I don’t know what you are talking about PP dominance in the North. We had a by-election (in Rumphi Central) where PP fielded a candidate and lost. In fact, it came last. There were other by-elections in Mzimba Central and South West. PP, which is in government, won one and lost the other. Aford fielded candidates in Rumphi Central and Mzimba Central. It won one and lost the other. So, I don’t understand the dominance you are talking about. Aford is coming back.

Q: We hear that Aford is in alliance with some parties. Which parties are these?

A: There is People’s Development Movement (PDM), National Rainbow Coalition (Narc) and National Patriotic Front (NPF). They have expressed interest to work with Aford. What will happen is that these parties will contest under the banner of Aford. We believe that there is strength in unity and this will definitely make a difference in 2014.

Q: Are you saying that Aford is going to field a candidate in 2014?

A: Definitely. Should they elect me as president, I will stand in 2014 on Aford ticket. People don’t want the party to be sold to other parties anymore. They don’t want to see it auctioned.

Q: There have been contrasting messages coming from the party. For example, the publicity secretary says something but the party chairperson dismisses it. Is this a sign of division in the party?

A: I would not say division. Sometimes people are fed up with a one-man agenda. Aford has procedures which need to be followed when it comes to talking about major issues. We have a national executive council (NEC) which is elected at the convention. When it resolves on something, then that becomes an Aford matter. But if someone speaks outside that, based on his or her opinion, that is wrong. In fact, I am a secretary general but I am also surprised with some of these statements that are being made. You cannot go and commit a party to something without the secretary general or  party president knowing. When I take over, these things will change.

Q: Any last words?

A: I am telling Malawians that time has come to give power to a party that took a leading role in the fight for democracy. Aford is such a party and I am asking the people to give it a chance.