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FM AMEMBASSY LILONGWE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3834
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
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UNCLAS LILONGWE 000105 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR AF/S KAMANA MATHUR 
STATE FOR INR/AA RITA BYRNES 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV KDEM MI
SUBJECT: WORRY AT STATE HOUSE OVER POSSIBLE MULUZI RETURN 
 
1.(SBU) In what comes across as an act of desperation, the State 
House press office is circulating a document denouncing former 
President Bakili Muluzi's "involvement in terrorist activities," and 
calling on him to stay out of the 2009 presidential race.  The press 
release alleges, without providing any direct evidence, that Muluzi 
sent funds for military supplies and equipment to former Sudan 
People's Liberation Army leader John Garang in 1994. 
 
¶2. (SBU) The release, which was referred to but not quoted due to 
"lack of evidence" in the Malawian press on February 7, decries 
Muluzi's "flouting" of Malawian policy of non-interference in civil 
wars. "In light of Mr. Muluzi's fractious, querulous and warlike 
conduct he should not be allowed to stand for the third term since 
he is likely to spoil the foundation of peace and security that the 
African Union and all noble international bodies have set up." 
 
¶3. (SBU) This incident comes after recent public speculation over 
whether Muluzi will run for President again in 2009.  The Malawian 
constitution bars any president from more than two consecutive 
terms, but presumably Muluzi would constitutionally be eligible to 
run for a non-consecutive third term.  However, there is currently a 
debate under way within the UDF over this question; several of 
Muluzi's juniors (former Finance Minister Friday Jumbe, UDF 
spokesman Sam Mpasu, and MP for Likoma George nga Mtafu among them) 
are jockeying for the nomination. Muluzi himself, who is in the U.K. 
at the moment, has been silent on the matter. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Comment: We should note, for context, that the Malawi 
campaign for the presidency in 2009 is in full swing.  What we are 
seeing in full force is forceful jockeying for position with 2009 in 
mind, among a very few members of the political elite here.  It has 
been reported that the Malawi Congress Party has already decided 
that longtime strongman John Tembo will stand for the MCP.  The 
current controversy over fired Agriculture Minister Uladi Mussa's 
new "Malavi" party is part of that debate, as is the ongoing 
maneuvering within the UDF, and disputes within the northern 
regional parties over leadership.  There is no question within the 
President's DPP who will be their nominee. 
 
¶5. (SBU) The unfortunate State House press release is a 
crudely-executed smear that reflects President Mutharika's concern 
about Muluzi and his possible return to politics.  It's difficult to 
see what relevance Muluzi's alleged support for a war over twelve 
years ago would have today, even if there was hard evidence 
presented, aside from the release's potential damage to current 
relations with Sudan.  The fact that even the Malawian press, which 
is often criticized for its lack of professionalism, is refusing to 
run with the story says a great deal.  If this is the worst thing 
the government can say about Muluzi, in light of the other things 
they could have said about his regime's rampant corruption, perhaps 
he has little to fear on the mudslinging side should he actually 
enter the presidential race. End Comment. 
EASTHAM