UDF’s Jumbe still to disclose next move

Former United Democratic Front (UDF) interim president Friday Jumbe says he will announce his next move in politics this Tuesday.

Reacting to reports that together with some former UDF heavyweights, he has formed a new political party, Jumbe argued the assertions were not true.

“In fact, I have organised a press briefing on Tuesday to dispel the rumours. That is where we are going to tell people our next course of action,” he said in an interview on Monday.

Jumbe was until last week UDF interim president. He stayed away from the party’s national conference after his challenge to have the convention postponed was thrown out by the High Court in Blantyre.

Online publications and social media networks were on Sunday awash with reports that quoted unnamed sources as saying that Jumbe and former members of his camp have teamed up to form a new political party. 

Chancellor College political scientist Joseph Chunga observed that the country does not need new political parties.

“A party has to be relevant, and not just being formed out of frustration and desperation because they have been outplayed by another camp,” said Chunga.

Analysing Jumbe’s political career, Chunga said: “I don’t think he is done. He can…join other parties.”

Jumbe fell out with UDF in 2010 when two camps emerged. The two factions reconciled their differences, but their reunion did not last.

Until the UDF convention last week, he led a faction that challenged the national conference arguing it was illegitimate.

During the convention, Atupele Muluzi was elected UDF national chairperson after defeating Moses Dossi and Ruth Takomana. Dr. George nga Mtafu pulled out of the race alleging it was fixed to favour Atupele.