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TOPIC: UDF & NDA

Akhibula

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Posts: 64

Date: Jun 18, 2004

UDF & NDA	Permalink Closed

UDF and NDA, bitter rivals before the May 20 elections, made a surprise announcement on Friday that they have merged for the sake of national unity. But a political analyst at the University of Malawi on Friday dismissed the claim of a merger as “mere propaganda”, saying NDA has been disbanded and swallowed by UDF. The merger was announced by UDF national chairman Bakili Muluzi and NDA president Brown Mpinganjira at a brief ceremony witnessed by top leadership of the two parties at Muluzi’s BCA residence in Blantyre. “After our discussions with the NDA president, we have found out that the two parties are one. We fought for the same cause and we have resolved that NDA should merge with UDF for the sake of national unity,” said Muluzi, the former state president. The two parties did not sign any document signifying the merger but Muluzi said they will soon form a technical committee to look at the modalities for the merger “so that you [NDA] are not left in the cold”. He said in mature democracies like the USA and the UK, there used to be many political parties but there are now only two or three political parties for the sake of development and unity. Justifying the merger, Mpinganjira said: “It is said that people respect fighters but when it is time to stop fighting, the same fighter who was respected by the people is referred to as a spoiler. “We, as NDA, have fought our part of the battle for democracy in this country and we want to participate in nation-building and we don’t want to end up as spoilers. “There should be time for politicking and time to develop the country. After the elections, it’s time to pull resources together and start working for the development of this country. “For us coming together to work with the UDF in a merger is something that is in line with our philosophy already. My colleagues and I welcome the opportunity.” Political scientist Nixon Khembo said the development is not surprising, saying: “It’s like a father and son reunion [because] NDA has been part and parcel of UDF.” “We are reducing the size of parties to a manageable size. This is a positive contribution,” Khembo said. “The truth is that NDA has disbanded and joined UDF. The leadership of NDA has swallowed its pride and joined UDF for personal gains.” Khembo said the merger will consolidate politics of regionalism by pitting the Central Region—the stronghold of MCP—against UDF and its allies. Law expert Edge Kanyongolo said the Speaker and the Courts may interpret the UDF/NDA merger as amounting to crossing the floor in terms of Section 65 of the Constitution. He too had problem with the term “merger” saying a merger is an agreement by two entities to become one and, in normal circumstances, the new entity changes its name, has a new constitution, new symbols and new leadership. “This means that NDA MPs will have crossed the floor to the UDF or all these MPs will cross the floor to a new party if they decide to form one. It’s likely that we may have by-elections in some constituencies,” said Kanyongolo. MCP president John Tembo, who will be Leader of Opposition in Parliament, said he is not surprised with the merger, in light of the dismal performance of NDA in the general elections. “Their performance in the elections didn’t match their rhetoric. Their rhetoric was as if they are the biggest party,” said Tembo whose party has 57 MPs in the House, the highest number of members held by a single party. But Tembo said he is not worried with the decreasing numbers of opposition MPs in Parliament because NDA MPs do not belong to MCP. Asked for her comment, Mgwirizano Coalition spokeswoman Kholiwe Mkandawire said: “Maybe that is how God made it to be. It’s survival of the fittest at the end of the day.” Mkandawire said by merging with UDF, NDA has just exercised its freedom of association and “we cannot criticise them for that.” Speaking when he announced the merger, Muluzi urged supporters of the two parties to forget the past and start working together. UDF chairman for Bale Constituency in Mulanje Alex Makina died in a fracas in 2002 at the height of the rivalry between the two parties. Muluzi and Mpinganjira, who used to castigate each other during the campaign, said they no longer harbour grudges, describing their mudslinging “water under the bridge”. Muluzi dismissed rumours that Mpinganjira has been roped in on condition that be becomes UDF presidential candidate in the 2009 general elections. On his part, Mpinganjira also said NDA could not be bought, saying it is not a small party and that “it could take billions of kwachas to buy NDA.” “I expect that people will be very unkind with their comments and remarks. NDA is capable of leading situations, it’s not a decision which has been made by one person. We have deliberately taken time to consult and we have consulted widely,” said Mpinganjira. Among those who attended the ceremony from NDA are national chairman Harry Thomson, first vice president Viva Nyimba, Second vice president Mary Makungwa, director of publicity Salule Masangwi and executive members Joe Manduwa, Mark Mezalumo and John-Gift Mwakhwawa. On the part of UDF, Muluzi was accompanied by campaign director Clement Stambuli, executive members Friday Jumbe, Humphrey Mvula, Ken Lipenga and Dumbo Lemani who graced the occasion with a prayer. President Bingu wa Mutharika was not there. __________________

Akhibula

Member

Status: Offline

Posts: 64

Date: Jun 18, 2004

RE: UDF & NDA -ACKNOWLEDDEMENT	Permalink Closed

THE PREVIOUS ENTRY WAS FROM THE NATION MY APOLOGIES National UDF swallows NDA by Mc Donald Chapalapata, 18 June 2004 - 16:37:39 __________________

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