CABINET DISSOLVED HOURS BEFORE ALLIANCE MOU

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000149

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM MI
SUBJECT: CABINET DISSOLVED HOURS BEFORE ALLIANCE MOU
FORMALIZED



1. (U) Hours before signing a ruling United Democratic Front
(UDF) and Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) MOU to jointly
contest May's elections, President Muluzi dissolved the
Cabinet on February 23. No reason was given for the
dissolution, and the Office of President and Cabinet (OPC)
has requested that all matters requiring ministerial
attention be addressed to the State House.

COMMENT
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2. (SBU) Considering the many concessions AFORD is making by
signing the MOU (supporting both UDF's presidential candidate
and running mate, and fielding candidates in only 38 of 193
parliamentary districts),it is possible that Muluzi
dissolved the Cabinet as a gesture of good faith to AFORD.
With a signed MOU in hand, we would not be surprised if
Muluzi's next Cabinet has several new AFORD faces. In
handing out new Cabinet assignments, Muluzi will also have
the opportunity to remove UDF ministers whose support for the
party has not been hard-line enough. END COMMENT.
BROWNING