Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04LILONGWE270
2004-03-30 13:57:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Lilongwe
Cable title:  

CABINET GROWS YET AGAIN IN PATRONAGE PAY-OFF

Tags:  PGOV KDEM EFIN 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 000270 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM EFIN PINR MI
SUBJECT: CABINET GROWS YET AGAIN IN PATRONAGE PAY-OFF


UNCLAS LILONGWE 000270

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM EFIN PINR MI
SUBJECT: CABINET GROWS YET AGAIN IN PATRONAGE PAY-OFF



1. (U) New Congress for Democracy (NCD) president Hetherwick
Ntaba has been appointed Minister of the new Ministry of
Energy and Mining, the Office of President and Cabinet
announced on March 29. Ntaba, who formed NCD after being
dismissed from the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) National
Executive Committee for sympathizing with the ruling United
Democratic Front (UDF),announced on March 26 that his party
has joined the "government of national unity" and will
contest the May presidential elections with the UDF/Alliance
for Democracy (AFORD) coalition.

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

2. (SBU) The creation of the new ministry brings the number
in cabinet-level positions to 46. In addition to the
serendipitous creation of the new ministry just after Ntaba's
announcement of support, the fact that there are fewer than
3,000 people employed in the formal mining sector in Malawi
demonstrates that the new position was created for purposes
of political patronage.


3. (SBU) Although Ntaba does not command a large following,
he does have some support in the Central Region. With his
inclusion, President Muluzi has successfully garnered support
for his hand-picked successor Bingu wa Mutharika from
regional political figures in all three regions.
BROWNING