MUTHARIKA LAUNCHES NEW PARTY

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000333

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM MI
SUBJECT: MUTHARIKA LAUNCHES NEW PARTY

REF: A) Lilongwe 117 B) Lilongwe 152


1. Summary: President Mutharika has launched his new party,
the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). The party platform
is essentially the same as that of his government, stressing
development, anti-corruption, and law and order. End
summary.


2. In a raucous and colorful four-hour rally in Lilongwe on
April 14, President Mutharika launched his long awaited new
party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Mutharika
registered the party in mid-March, some five weeks after he
resigned from the United Democratic Front (UDF),the party
that brought him to power (reftels).


3. The DPP logo features four ears of corn, symbolic of the
four regions of Malawi, and evoking the concept of food
security. Also included are the words "Development,
Justice, Security".


4. In his speech to the 1,500-strong crowd, the President
emphasized the development agenda of the party. Observing
that the country "stands at the gateway of development"
Mutharika pledged that "Malawi will be transformed" under
his leadership, "as fast as possible." He promised the
cheering crowd that "as long as Bingu is your president,
forward is where we are going."


5. Mutharika reiterated his longstanding anti-corruption
policy, and introduced law and order as a new priority for
his government. Tying security to economic development, the
president argued that Malawians cannot build successful
businesses and grow the economy if rampant crime continues
unabated. He promised to protect investors and increase
police patrols.


6. The rally was officially billed as a "press conference",
and journalists present were permitted to ask a few
questions at the end. The atmosphere was hardly conducive
to tough questions, however. Organizers placed the
reporters in the midst of the massive crowd, where they were
surrounded by aggressive DPP supporters. Journalists will
no doubt see this a further attempt to intimidate the media.
One reporter who had the temerity to ask about the recent
arrest of two journalists received a forceful rebuttal from
the president (see report septel).


7. Making an effort to break with the longstanding Malawian
tradition of mixing party and government business, the event
was held at a rented suburban house that serves as the new
DPP headquarters. Compared with most presidential events,
the occasion was less formal and lacked the usual large
motorcade with sirens wailing, military band and other
ceremonial formalities.


8. Comment: Mutharika's stated rationale for forming the DPP
is that he must capture the political momentum following his
resignation from the UDF and build a base in parliament.
Interestingly, parliamentarians, including some cabinet
members, are not rushing to join the party. Many reformists
and opportunists of all stripes appear to be content for now
with the contingent, issue-oriented political alignments
that have obtained since the UDF split last year. To the
extent that this arrangement has coincided with nearly a
year of responsible policies, the DPP's weakness may be a
good thing. Malawians will be looking for signs that the
DPP intends to behave differently than other parties,
although feeling is widespread that this party will be no
different than its predecessors. The media, NGOs, and the
public will be watching closely to see if the DPP abuses
government resources in the way that became routine under
the UDF.


9. Mutharika and his supporters hope that a strong DPP will
serve to overshadow former president Muluzi and the UDF, who
are still a thorn in the president's side. Malawians are
keen to see the Mutharika-Mulizi dispute put to rest. The
longer Mutharika remains mired in a political struggle with
Mulizi, the more his reform program is likely to suffer, and
reform is the issue that most Malawians truly care about.
GILMOUR