Power fight in Malawi opposition turns Islamic

Confusion has erupted in Malawi's former ruling party now
second largest opposition United Democratic Front between former
President Bakili Muluzi and seating vice President Cassim Chilumpha who
are fighting control over the party mantle.

The two, both of whom Moslems have dragged their fight into Malawi’s
supreme Islamic body called Moslem Association of Malawi (MAM) with
each one of them going behind the others back through agents wooing all
members of the organization to support his bid for presidency of the
party when they met for general meeting on April 24, 2008 in Blantyre.

And
Sheik Yusuf Kanyamula of MAM has said he is worried with the rate at
which the two politicians have dragged members of the body into
politics. Kanyamula has since disassociated the body from politicking
saying Islam religion does not condone divisions emanating from
political fronts.

“Let me put it plain, MAM has never sent
anyone top meet Muluzi or his rival Chilumpha pledging support,” he
said. The party which became opposition after its winning candidate in
2004 elections the incumbent State President Bingu wa Mutharika ditched
it to form his own Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in 2006, is
geared to hold its general meeting where all positions would be up for
grabs.

Muluzi who ruled from 1994 to 2004 and reluctantly handed
over power to Mutharika wants to be the party’s presidential candidate
for next year’s general elections. He has been saying he is interested
to stand again with a sole aim of removing Mutharika from power because
he insulted him by ditching the party that sponsored him into power.

Chilumpha
who is answering treason charges for conniving to assassinate Mutharika
is fighting Muluzi to leave the candidacy to him. However despite these
agitations in opposition Mutharika has been comfortable on the driving
seat. And a group of Zambian politicians including those from
opposition parties who visited Malawi this year discussing
crossititution said there are enough evidences that Mutharika would
sweep next year polls.

Mutharika is highly revered for his
impeccability on economy, rule of law, justice, security, anti-
corruption food security and governance. He is expected to stand for
the second term next year.