Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04LILONGWE166
2004-02-27 07:10:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Lilongwe
Cable title:  

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES DECLARED; OPPOSITION BADLY

Tags:  PGOV KDEM PINR MI 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS LILONGWE 000166 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PINR MI
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES DECLARED; OPPOSITION BADLY
DIVIDED

REF: A. 03 LILONGWE 1202

B. LILONGWE 123

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000166

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PINR MI
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES DECLARED; OPPOSITION BADLY
DIVIDED

REF: A. 03 LILONGWE 1202

B. LILONGWE 123


1. (U) Six presidential contenders declared their candidacy
to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) on February 25 and

26. Among them were the United Democratic Front
(UDF)/Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) coalition's Bingu wa
Mutharika, four from opposition parties, and one independent.

COMMENT
--------------

2. (SBU) Vice President (and former UDF heavyweight) Justin
Malewezi's last minute decision to break away from the
Mgwirizano Coalition and contest as an independent
presidential candidate typifies the increasing divisions in
the opposition (septel). With five candidates splitting the
opposition vote, the UDF/AFORD coalition is well positioned
to win with a plurality, reminiscent of the 2001 Zambian
elections. With three months left before polling day, the
opposition's factionalization makes the UDF/AFORD coalition
the clear front-runner.


3. (U) Official presidential candidates and running mates as
declared to the MEC are as follows:

United Democratic Front/Alliance for Democracy
-------------- -
Presidential Candidate: Bingu wa Mutharika
Running Mate: Cassim Chilumpha
(Note: Several minor parties, including the Congress for
National Unity, Malawi Democratic Union, and New Dawn for
Africa, have reportedly announced their support for the
UDF/AFORD coalition.)

Mgwirizano Coalition
--------------
Presidential Candidate: Gwanda Chakuamba
Running Mate: Aleke Banda
(Note: The Mgwirizano Coalition comprises the Republican
Party, People's Progressive Movement, Movement for Democratic
Change, National Unity Party, Malawi Forum for Unity and
Development, People's Transformation Party, and Malawi
Democratic Party.)

National Democratic Alliance (NDA)
--------------
Presidential Candidate: Brown James Mpinganjira
Running Mate: Clara Makungwa

Malawi Congress Party (MCP)
--------------
Presidential Candidate: John Zenasi Ungapake Tembo
Running Mate: Peter Chiwona

New Congress for Democracy (NCD)
--------------
Presidential Candidate: Hetherwick Maurice Ntaba
Running Mate: Moses John Chikoko

Independent
--------------
Presidential Candidate: Justin Chimera Malewezi
Running Mate: Jimmy Hastings Koreia-Mpatsa
BROWNING