Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07LILONGWE863
2007-11-19 13:47:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Lilongwe
Cable title:
MALAWI: NEW DIRECTOR OF ANTI-CORRUPTION BUREAU APPROVED
how-toVZCZCXRO0018 RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHLG #0863 3231347 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 191347Z NOV 07 FM AMEMBASSY LILONGWE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4810 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS LILONGWE 000863
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
MCC FOR MALIK CHAKA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KMCA KCOR MI
SUBJECT: MALAWI: NEW DIRECTOR OF ANTI-CORRUPTION BUREAU APPROVED
REF: LILONGWE 862
UNCLAS LILONGWE 000863
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
MCC FOR MALIK CHAKA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KMCA KCOR MI
SUBJECT: MALAWI: NEW DIRECTOR OF ANTI-CORRUPTION BUREAU APPROVED
REF: LILONGWE 862
1. (U) On November 13 the National Assembly's Public Appointments
Committee (PAC) approved President Mutharika's appointee as Director
of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). The new Director, Alexius
Nampota, was the ACB's Deputy Director from its inception in 1998
until late 2004. The confirmation will allow the ACB to resume its
prosecution efforts in several high-profile corruption cases more
confidently (reftel); the ACB's prosecutions may have been more
vulnerable to legal challenge without a functioning Director.
2. (SBU) However, the PAC did not approve the President's appointee
for ACB Deputy Director. The rejection of Victor Banda, current ACB
Assistant Director for Operations (there are three assistant
director positions not requiring confirmation below the Deputy
Director in the ACB),may have been due to his roots in Malawi's
northern region, which may have raised suspicions with leaders from
the mainly southern- and central-based opposition parties. It is
unclear whether Banda, who has been serving as the acting Deputy
Director since late August, will remain at his Assistant Director
post.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: Renewed GOM efforts to nominate a confirmable ACB
director appear to have come in part in response to the emphasis
placed on this issue by the MCC. In addition, President Mutharika
may be planning to re-intensify his government's anti-corruption
efforts as the country moves closer to national elections scheduled
for mid-2009. END COMMENT
EASTHAM
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
MCC FOR MALIK CHAKA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KMCA KCOR MI
SUBJECT: MALAWI: NEW DIRECTOR OF ANTI-CORRUPTION BUREAU APPROVED
REF: LILONGWE 862
1. (U) On November 13 the National Assembly's Public Appointments
Committee (PAC) approved President Mutharika's appointee as Director
of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). The new Director, Alexius
Nampota, was the ACB's Deputy Director from its inception in 1998
until late 2004. The confirmation will allow the ACB to resume its
prosecution efforts in several high-profile corruption cases more
confidently (reftel); the ACB's prosecutions may have been more
vulnerable to legal challenge without a functioning Director.
2. (SBU) However, the PAC did not approve the President's appointee
for ACB Deputy Director. The rejection of Victor Banda, current ACB
Assistant Director for Operations (there are three assistant
director positions not requiring confirmation below the Deputy
Director in the ACB),may have been due to his roots in Malawi's
northern region, which may have raised suspicions with leaders from
the mainly southern- and central-based opposition parties. It is
unclear whether Banda, who has been serving as the acting Deputy
Director since late August, will remain at his Assistant Director
post.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: Renewed GOM efforts to nominate a confirmable ACB
director appear to have come in part in response to the emphasis
placed on this issue by the MCC. In addition, President Mutharika
may be planning to re-intensify his government's anti-corruption
efforts as the country moves closer to national elections scheduled
for mid-2009. END COMMENT
EASTHAM