Aford salutes MCP on democracy

The Alliance for Democracy (Aford) has saluted the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) convention, saying the party behaved like champions of democracy.

Speaking in an interview on Monday, Aford spokesperson Dan Msowoya said MCP’s convention has left a positive mark for the country’s democracy.

He said the MCP convention is a big lesson to Aford, which will also be holding its convention on August 23. He said his party, despite being behind the country’s democracy, needs to emulate a number of things from MCP on how to handle the convention.

“There are a lot of lessons we have learnt from other parties which have held conventions. However, MCP is the one that has demonstrated more maturity.

“They have acted like champions of democracy. They have shown that the party does not belong to one person or a certain section. So, there is a lot, we have learnt from MCP and what they consider to be right and wrong,” said Msowoya.

He said Aford should also embrace intra-party democracy, which MCP has demonstrated.

Msowoya also saluted former MCP president John Tembo for respecting the party’s views. He said Tembo has set a good example to many politicians by not fighting the party.

“We need to give Tembo credit for the way he conducted himself. Tembo has been on that position for a long time and to lose it just like that is not something everyone can come to terms with,” said Msowoya.

Asked if MCP’s new face meant an easy ride in 2014, Msowoya said the party’s conduct has put it on a better edge as people now have confidence in the party.