VZCZCXRO6314
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHLG #0070/01 0401353
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 091353Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY LILONGWE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0279
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0294
RUEHBZ/AMEMBASSY BRAZZAVILLE 0008
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LILONGWE 000070 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV KDEM MI
SUBJECT: MALAWI: EIGHT NOMINEES COME FORWARD FOR PRESIDENT 
 
LILONGWE 00000070  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1. (SBU)  Summary: Eight candidates presented nomination 
papers to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) and are 
officially running for President in the upcoming May 
elections.  In addition to the "big three" - President Bingu 
wa Mutharika, former President and United Democratic Front 
(UDF) leader Bakili Muluzi, and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) 
leader John Tembo - one independent and four smaller parties 
submitted nomination papers.  The MEC has until February 13 
to determine the eligibility of each nominee, a process of 
particular relevance to Muluzi's bid.  For the three major 
party candidates, the selection of running mates added drama 
to the proceedings.  President Mutharika broke with tradition 
and picked a running mate from the same region, selecting 
Foreign Minister Joyce Banda.  Bakili Muluzi selected Clement 
Stambuli, a young MP from the central region, while John 
Tembo, after a rumored attempt to woo a northern region 
cabinet minister, settled on 2004 presidential candidate and 
current UDF member Brown Mpinganjira.  With nominations over, 
Malawi now turns its attention to the MEC and its decision 
regarding Muluzi's candidacy. End Summary. 
 
Eight is Enough 
--------------- 
 
¶2. (U) Eight presidential candidates submitted nomination 
papers to the MEC by the February 6 deadline.  The MEC now 
has until February 13 to determine each nominee's 
eligibility.  While the media has focused primarily on the 
three major party candidates - President Bingu wa Mutharika 
of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), former President 
Bakili Muluzi of the UDF, and MCP leader John Tembo. 
Independent James Nyondo joined four smaller parties in 
submitting nomination papers.  Notably, the New Rainbow 
Coalition nominated Loveness Gondwe, a northern region MP, as 
the first female presidential candidate in Malawian history. 
Dindi Gowa Nyasulu of the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), 
Kamuzu Chibambo of the Peoples Transformation Party (PETRA), 
and Stanley Masauli of the Republican Party (RP) also 
submitted nomination papers for the presidency. 
 
Higher Nomination Deposits Don't Deter Nominees 
-------------------------- -------------------- 
 
¶3. (U) Many parliamentary candidates objected to the MEC's 
decision to raise nomination deposits from $35 USD to 
approximately $700 USD, but ultimately the higher deposits 
failed to discourage potential candidates.  Over 1500 turned 
in paperwork and deposits for parliamentary elections, an 
average of almost 8 individuals per constituency.  The 
presidential field of candidates should be the largest in 
Malawi's history as well, topping the five who ran in 2004. 
Beyond the eight who submitted papers, another ten potential 
nominees collected nomination forms but failed to submit 
them.  However, only a few complained that the deposit kept 
them from proceeding.  Instead, several used their paper 
submission time in front of the media to announce support for 
other candidates.  Most notably, People's Progressive 
Movement (PPM) candidate Mark Katsonga Phiri, long a vocal 
critic of the current administration, announced his support 
of President Mutharika.  Muluzi, for his part, was also able 
to keep his loose coalition together as the Maravi People's 
Party's Uladi Mussa, New Republican Party's Gwanda Chakuamba, 
and Malawi Democratic Party's Kalempo Kalua all chose not to 
run for President and announced support of Muluzi's 
nomination. 
 
Running Mates Add to the Drama 
------------------------------ 
 
¶4. (SBU) In a continuous game of cat and mouse, none of the 
major party candidates tipped their hands regarding their 
running mates.  Muluzi, the first of the three to present his 
papers, chose Clement Stambuli, a two term MP from Nkhota 
kota along the central lakeshore.  In 2004, Nkhota kota was 
the only UDF stronghold outside of the southern region. 
While Stambuli provides Muluzi with someone from the next 
generation of Malawian leaders, his connection to Nkhota kota 
will also counteract the growing influence of DPP Secretary 
General Henry Chimunthu-Banda, who is also from that 
district. 
 
¶5. (SBU) John Tembo delayed his nomination submission six 
hours, due to indecision over his running mate.  Tembo was 
reportedly ready to select Deputy Minister of Education 
Richard Msowoya as his vice president, a selection that would 
have made Tembo the only major party candidate to choose a 
running mate from the northern region.  Reportedly, Tembo 
felt obliged to seek the blessing of the Church of Central 
Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) - Nkhoma Synod, of which Tembo is 
 
LILONGWE 00000070  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
a member.  According to the press, the church leaders told 
Tembo they would not support a northern region running mate. 
The Synod leadership later dismissed the story.  In the end, 
Tembo chose Brown Mpinganjira, the 2004 National Democratic 
Alliance presidential candidate and current UDF MP.  The two 
had engaged in a month-long courtship that has once again 
estranged Mpinganjira from Muluzi.  However, Mpinganjira has 
refused to formally leave the UDF and join Tembo's MCP, a 
sticking point that could have been equally likely for the 
delay. 
 
¶6. (SBU) President Mutharika also kept his running mate pick 
a surprise until the end, choosing Foreign Minister Joyce 
Banda.  The selection of Banda, who like Mutharika is from 
the Southern Region, goes against tradition.  Historically, 
all successful presidential candidates have chosen a running 
mate from a different region to try to appeal to the entire 
nation.  Banda, however, is known as a devoted advocate for 
women's rights which could help offset any perception of 
regional bias.  Initial media reactions to the DPP ticket 
were positive, both for promoting a strong woman leader and 
for the DPP's effort to campaign on issues instead of 
regionalism.  However, some analysts believe that the 
southern region tilt of the ticket will cost the DPP 
significant support in the north. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶7. (SBU) Last week's nomination submissions were peaceful, 
and despite large crowds in Blantyre, there were no reports 
of violence.  The next test will come in the next few days 
when the MEC rules on Muluzi's candidacy.  Despite the fact 
that a negative decision will be immediately challenged in 
court, if the ruling is unfavorable, demonstrations are 
likely and sporadic outbreaks of violence are possible. End 
Comment. 
BODDE