Malawi renames barracks named after ex-president

The Malawi Government has renamed a military barracks in the eastern city of Zomba, which was named after former president Bakili Muluzi.

The Bakili Muluzi Barracks now reverts to its original name, Changalume Barracks .

"The name has been changed with effect from today," said President Bingu wa Muth arika's spokesman Chikumbutso Mtumodzi.

"As the general public may recall, President Bingu wa Mutharika had changed the name of those barracks from Changalume Barracks to Bakili Muluzi Barracks in ord e r to honour the former president, Mr. Bakili Muluzi.

"Unfortunately Muluzi misunderstood this to imply the barracks personally belonged to him and that those serving there oweed their allegiance to him."

Mtumodzi said this has led "to confusion among the officers and men, particularly those serving and living at those barracks."

The development came on the heels of a wave of arrests in connection with an alleged plot to topple Mutharika's four-year administration.

Those arrested included officials from Muluzi's United Democratic Front (UDF) and some serving and retired police and army officers, including the commandant of the then Bakili Muluzi Barracks Brigadier Juvenalis Mtende.

The UDF has meanwhile described the move as politically motivated.

Deputy UDF Secretary General Hophmally Makande told PANA there are several structures, including the country's main barracks in the capital Lilongwe which are n a med after the country's founding father Hasting Kamuzu Banda.

"Is government suggesting that soldiers at the Kamuzu Barracks owe their allegiance to Dr. Banda, his family and his Malawi Congress Party?" he said.

Muluzi, currently away to the United Kingdom on a private visit, has been named as the main architect of the alleged coup plot, is expected back home Saturday b u t it is not clear whether the authorities will arrest him since all the nine all e ged co-conspirators were released on bail on Tuesday.

The UDF, to which Muluzi is national chairman, has planned a big welcome rally in Lilongwe for the former president.