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.