No third term for Malawi leader

  1. Posted on Wednesday 7 July 2010 - 10:36
    Mtheto Lungu
    Image of Mtheto Lungu
    Mtheto Lungu, AfricaNews reporter in Lilongwe, Malawi
    President Bingu wa Mutharika of Malawi has dispelled rumours that he may contest for a third consecutive term of office. The current African Union boss made it clear that come 2014, he is packing up for good for the next leader. However, some members of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party hope he stays.
    bingu mutharika
    An independent Member of Parliament for Mangochi South, Yusuf Matumula, told fellow representatives in the house last month's sitting there was need for Mutharika to come back in 2014.

    "The development that he has initiated and undertaken requires that we maintain Mutharika to complete his vision. The constitution must be amended to cater for this important development," he said amid cheers from the ruling party and boos from the opposition MPs.

    Earlier in the year, another DPP MP for Nsanje North, Frank Viyazyi, proposed during the party's caucus to stretch the presidential term to seven years but the party rubbished it.

    During the 46 years independence celebrations at Civo Stadium in the capital, Lilongwe, Mutharika however vowed to respect the supreme law and call it quit when his tenure expires in May 2014.

    "Leadership is like a race. One leader does his part and the other takes over, and so on. I will retire in 2014 to Ndata Farm," he emphasized.

    Mutharika's open declaration against standing puts the issue to rest for now. Political analysts, again, prophess Mutharika may be paving way for his younger brother, Peter, a member of his cabinet.

    The younger Mutharika has recently represented the country at important fora despite the existence of a Vice President. National broadcaster, Malawi Broadcasting Corporation, is also seen as peddling Peter Mutharika for the top most position.

    They foresee him carrying the DPP presidential lamp in the elections come 2014.

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