UDF disowns Friends of Atupele, calls group illegal
A parallel structure has emerged in the erstwhile governing United Democratic Front (UDF) following the resurfacing on the political front of its former president Atupele Muluzi.
The party’s secretary general Kandi Padambo said in an interview on Wednesday the party is aware of the parallel structure, which is calling itself Friends of Atupele Muluzi.
The grouping is campaigning for the party’s former leader to contest in the 2025 Elections on the party’s ticket without being sanctioned.
Before resurfacing, Atupele, who is the son to the party’s founder Bakili Muluzi, resigned on May 30 2022 as UDF president to transition into a pan- African business executive.
The parallel group has been holding meetings across the country and campaigning for Atupele, describing him as a clean and honest politician without any involvement in corruption-related scandals.
When contacted yesterday, Atupele confirmed that there are people who would like him to serve.
He said: “I am listening to the discussion with keen interest. However, what I must point out is that Atupele is a team player, I am not a divider but a unifier.”
Atupele said he was willing to serve the country as the country is going through great pain.
“My message is a message of hope for Malawians that a new nation will come out of this pain. However, it will have to take some sacrifices and bold decisions.
“We are at a time that requires more statesmen and women who can rise above divisive party politics in service of our nation. We need a reset button for a new Malawi,” he said.
Atupele said he is willing rules and procedures of the party.
“He will not contest because the grouping of Friends of Atupele Muluzi is making calls for him to contest but because he remains a member of the party and he will follow procedures that are in place for any member to contest for any position in the party.”
Atupele announced his resignation in a Facebook post on May 30 2022 in which he said he is embarking on an industrial and economic revolution together with his business partners.
Governance expert Boniface Chibwana said in a separate interview Atupele is likely to retain UDF presidency due to the founder syndrome.
“The founder syndrome is also associated with the financial muscle of the individuals and families that founded those political parties and some supporters align themselves to that family or individuals. This is what is happening in the UDF,” he said.
UDF was the first political party to form government after Malawi returned to multiparty democracy in 1994.
But its popularity started to decline, especially after the 2004 General Elections when former president Bingu wa Mutharika left the party to form Democratic Progressive Party. Apart from popularity, its parliamentary seats have also been on the decline since 1999. In 2014, it got 10 seats.
