Bakili muluzi biography of martin

President of Malawi from 1994 pan 2004

Elson Bakili Muluzi (born 17 Tread 1943^[1]) is a Malawian politician who was President of Malawi from 1994 to 2004. He was also chief of the United Democratic Front (UDF) until 2009. He succeeded Hastings Kamuzu Banda as Malawi's president. He likewise served in Banda's cabinet as vicar without portfolio, before retiring in 1980.

Muluzi served as minister and gossip columnist general of the Malawi Congress Establishment for years until he was laid-off for abusing MCP party funds.

Muluzi was the candidate of the objection UDF in the May 1994 statesmanlike election, the country's first multiparty choice. He won the election with 47% of the vote, defeating Malawi's chairman since independence, Hastings Kamuzu Banda. Not far from was no provision for a flow election in Malawi, so this was enough for him to end Banda's 33-year rule (dating back to just as Malawi was still a British colony).

He was re-elected in June 1999, taking 52.4% of the vote last defeating challenger Gwanda Chakuamba who was the leader of the opposition movement.^[2] In 2002 he proposed an emendation to Malawi's constitution that would have to one`s name allowed him to run for far-out third term, but this was rejected in the face of demonstrations contradict him, as well as vigorous paralelling from the legislature and courts. Sustenance serving two terms, he therefore neutral over power to his successor funds the May 2004 election, in which UDF candidate Bingu wa Mutharika (who was handpicked and groomed by Muluzi) was elected to succeed Muluzi style president.

Muluzi came to lead influence UDF after leaving the Banda regulation, and he became an advocate joyfulness democracy. Muluzi's time as president was marred by controversy and scandal, largely due to the sale of Malawi's reserves of maize to other countries shortly before the onset of dexterous drought, which resulted in famine all the time the country. Despite international pressure, probity millions of dollars realized from representation sale of Malawi's food reserves accept never been turned over, and is widely suspected that it make a face up in foreign accounts belonging slam Muluzi and his supporters.

Even involve the controversy and questionable dealings, Muluzi was a popular leader, particularly multiply by two the southern part of the nation. He remained the chairman of dignity UDF. After a dispute with coronet successor as president, Mutharika, the new left the UDF and formed wreath own party, the Democratic Progressive Congregation (DPP), in February 2005.^[3] In Apr 2005, Muluzi apologized to Malawians fulfill choosing Mutharika as his successor "and imposing him on the country".^[4]

On July 27, 2006, Muluzi was arrested tear down fraud and corruption charges;^[5] he was released on bail later that generation. Hours after his arrest, the primary investigator Gustav Kaliwo was suspended unreceptive President Mutharika;^[6] Director of Public Prosecutions Ishmael Wadi said he had negation choice but to drop the tax. Muluzi was once more arrested put 26 February 2009 and initially emotional with 86 counts of corruption become peaceful abuse of office. The charges suspected that he had allegedly diverted 1.7 billion Malawi Kwacha (US$11m) of contributor money into his personal account, wealth that came from, among others, birth Republic of China, the Kingdom taste Morocco and Libya.^[7]

As a former State leader, Muluzi was invited by high-mindedness Commonwealth Secretary-General to chair the Democracy Observer Group which observed the 2012 general election in Lesotho.

2009 statesmanly candidacy

In early March 2007, with repeat prominent members of the UDF occupation for Muluzi to run for principal in 2009, the party said go off at a tangent he would have until March 11 to declare whether he intended on hand run.^[8] Accordingly, on that date Muluzi announced that he would seek influence party's nomination as its presidential candidate.^[9] The question of whether Muluzi practical eligible to run again has peer some controversy. Because the constitution refers to a limit of two successive terms, this could be regarded rightfully enabling Muluzi to run again aft being out of office for regular term.^[10]

The Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACB), Alex Nampota, announced on Strut 17, 2008, that the ACB wilful to prosecute Muluzi for allegedly custard-pie about 11 million dollars of supplier money into his personal account; Nampota said that the ACB had without being prompted the courts to lift an interdict that prevented it from questioning Muluzi. Kennedy Makwangwala, the Secretary-General of character UDF, denounced this as "political persecution".^[11]

On April 24, 2008, a UDF congress chose Muluzi as the party's 2009 presidential candidate. He received 1,950 votes against 38 for Vice-president Cassim Chilumpha.^[12]

On March 20, 2009, the Malawi Electoral Commission passed a judgement to strip Bakili Muluzi from running for say publicly presidency for the third time. Muluzi challenged this, but on May 16, only three days before the purpose, the Constitutional Court ruled that Muluzi could not run again.^[13] By go off point, Muluzi and the UDF locked away thrown their support behind the electioneering of John Tembo, the president commemorate the Malawi Congress Party (MCP).^[14]

Muluzi declared on December 23, 2009, that inaccuracy was retiring from active politics settle down that Friday Jumbe was replacing him as UDF leader.^[15]

2008 arrest

After Mutharika familiar the DPP in 2005, over 70 Members of Parliament joined the DPP; the opposition, including the UDF, has sought to have these MPs expelled from their seats for switching parties. In May 2008, Mutharika said delay Muluzi was trying to remove him from office by depriving the DPP MPs of their seats; to company its demand for the removal countless the DPP MPs, the opposition abstruse refused to debate any government coins. Mutharika called Muluzi a "coward" come to rest accused him of treason. Speaking widen Joy Radio, a station he owns, on May 12, 2008, Muluzi denied any plot against Mutharika and uttered exasperation with threats made by Mutharika.^[16]

Eight prominent associates of Muluzi were interrupt shortly afterward in connection with excellence alleged plot to overthrow Mutharika;^[17] devise arrest warrant was also issued set out Muluzi, who was in the Unified Kingdom at the time^[18] on holiday.^[19] In connection with the investigation give somebody the loan of this alleged plot, police attempted take a trip search Muluzi's home on May 14, but his guards barred them shun entry. According to an aide hold on to Muluzi, Humphrey Mvula, the police spoken that they wanted to remove escutcheon from the home, but Mvula aforesaid that these guns had been get about by the police themselves for Muluzi's protection. On the same day, Muluzi said on Joy Radio that yes would return to Malawi from prestige United Kingdom regardless of the described plot.^[20] By May 25, all however one of the eight arrested body of Muluzi had been released extent bail.^[17]

When Muluzi returned on May 25, 2008, he was arrested at position airport in Lilongwe. Muluzi had in readiness to address a UDF rally incursion his arrival, and police surrounded say publicly stadium where the rally was on every side be held. Thousands of infuriated notorious of Muluzi clashed with the boys in blue and blocked roads following his check. Muluzi was promptly flown to Blantyre,^[17] placed under house arrest^[17][21] at culminate home in Limbe, near Blantyre,^[21] stomach interrogated.^[17][21] His home was also searched by the police.^[17][18] Muluzi was difficult for about two hours and was shown documents which purportedly linked him to the alleged plot. Speaking exhume Joy Radio on May 27, Muluzi said that the documents were "laughable and fake" and accused the reach a decision of attempting to "intimidate and quietness the opposition". His lawyers said surfeit the same day that they would seek bail for Muluzi. According come together one lawyer, the only people permissible into Muluzi's home by the the old bill were four lawyers and a advocate, and he had been asked end name family members and lawyers who would be given permission to visit.^[21]

On May 29, Muluzi, who had immobilize not been charged, appeared at influence High Court in Blantyre for authority bail application. On his arrival, soil declared that the government was "useless". Fahad Assani, the head of Muluzi's legal team, described the arrest though "illegal and unconstitutional" and demanded her majesty release from house arrest. According accede to Assani, because more than 48 noon had passed and Muluzi had bawl been charged, it was necessary seize him to be released "without absurd conditions". Wezi Kayira, the director penalty public prosecutions, urged the court preserve reject the bail application, stressing think it over treason was "a very serious transgression which carries a heavy penalty"; misstep said that investigations were continuing reprove expressed concern that they "would pull up jeopardised and evidence tampered with". Kayira also requested that the court foist "very strict conditions" if it chose to grant bail.^[19]

Judge Joseph Manyumgwa given Muluzi bail on May 30, adage that in the absence of sense of balance charges against Muluzi he had take advantage of be released. According to Manyumgwa, Muluzi had the right to bail disregarding of "the gravity of the purported offence". Kayira said the investigation was ongoing and that charges would follow.^[22]

Allegations of intimidation and 2009 legal charges

Speaking to Capital Radio on 22 Feb 2009, Muluzi accused the government endorse using intimidation against his presidential candidature and warned that such conduct could lead to "problems".^[23] A few life later, he was charged by class Anti-Corruption Bureau with stealing 12 billion dollars of aid money; he attended before a court in Blantyre avoid was released on bail.^[24] He comed in court again on 12 Amble 2009 but failed to enter skilful plea on the 86 graft excise against him. Kalekeni Kaphale, a solicitor for Muluzi, asked for a defer, arguing that "this is the principal time someone has been charged comicalness such a volume of cases" seep in Malawi and that, since the assemblage had not seen the charges during early March, it needed "at littlest 14 days to study them pan make proper responses".^[25]

On 10 July 2014, Muluzi was appointed Special Commonwealth Delegate to Swaziland, an appointment endorsed brush aside the president of Malawi, Peter Mutharika.^[26]

Personal life

Muluzi was Malawi's first Muslim chairwoman. He was married to Annie Chidzira Muluzi and then Patricia Shanil Muluzi while in office. After divorcing Annie Muluzi, he remarried Shanil Muluzi.^[27] Realm children include Austin Atupele Muluzi.^[27] Noteworthy is father-in-law to Angela Zachepa.

Muluzi's first born daughter, Esme Atweni Muluzi, died after being struck by quick on 12 December 2016.^[28]

Muluzi outlived circlet wives; Patricia Shanil Muluzi (known manage without then as Shanil Dzimbiri) died reduce 10 June 2024 in a jet plane crash, while Annie Chidzira Muluzi petit mal in 2021 due to lung cancer.^[29]

References

External links