PP awaits UDF word on pullout

Malawi’s ruling People’s Party (PP) is expecting the UDF to approach them on its last week’s decision to move from government side to the opposition benches in Parliament.

PP publicity secretary Hophmally Makande, in an interview on Sunday, described the matter as “very interesting”. He said the working relationship between PP and the former ruling UDF was made by leaders of the two parties in Parliament. Makande hoped the matter will be dealt with at that level.

But he argued the working relationship with two Cabinet ministers that were appointed from UDF, Atupele Muluzi and Ibrahim Matola, is still good.

The UDF national executive committee (NEC) made the decision on Friday after their Mangochi Central MP Clement Chiwaya, who is the party’s chief whip in Parliament, presented a report from MPs that the party is being overshadowed by PP.

‘Working relationship shaky’

Political analyst Dr. Augustine Magolowondo argued the UDF move is not surprising because the foundation of the PP-UDF working relationship was shaky.

Magolowondo said the two parties should have signed a clear memorandum of understanding on their working relationship at party level, but noted the agreement was entered into at individual level and it left loopholes.

Said Magolowondo: “In such agreements, you agree on what developments [benefits] such working arrangements would bring to both parties, working strategy, among others.

“It seems now the UDF is trying to look and re-strategise at how to approach the 2014 elections.”

UDF deputy publicity secretary Ken Ndanga said UDF as a party has leadership in Parliament, but that leadership is not independent of the party.

Said Ndanga: “A working relationship is not an event, it is a process that develops over time. If that agreement is not making results, you engage into reverse gear and it is exactly what we have done after noticing [that the relationship] is not taking us anywhere.”

Asked if the decision was made to give a chance to Atupele Muluzi to advance his presidential ambitions, Ndanga said it was a party decision made not to meet anyone’s aspirations, but for the good of the party.