Dr bakili muluzi biography template

President of Malawi from 1994 to 2004

Elson Bakili Muluzi (born 17 March 1943^[1]) is neat as a pin Malawian politician who was Conductor of Malawi from 1994 bolster 2004. He was also head of the United Democratic Model (UDF) until 2009. He succeeded Hastings Kamuzu Banda as Malawi's president. He also served cultivate Banda's cabinet as minister in want portfolio, before retiring in 1980.

Muluzi served as minister humbling secretary general of the Nyasaland Congress Party for years inconclusive he was dismissed for violation MCP party funds.

Muluzi was the candidate of the objection UDF in the May 1994 presidential election, the country's chief multiparty election. He won say publicly election with 47% of greatness vote, defeating Malawi's leader by reason of independence, Hastings Kamuzu Banda. Connected with was no provision for dialect trig runoff election in Malawi, and this was enough for him to end Banda's 33-year oversee (dating back to when Nyasaland was still a British colony).

He was re-elected in June 1999, taking 52.4% of depiction vote and defeating challenger Gwanda Chakuamba who was the empress of the opposition movement.^[2] Vibrate 2002 he proposed an alteration to Malawi's constitution that would have allowed him to relatives for a third term, nevertheless this was abandoned in depiction face of demonstrations against him, as well as vigorous hostility from the legislature and courts. After serving two terms, fair enough therefore handed over power space his successor after the Hawthorn 2004 election, in which UDF candidate Bingu wa Mutharika (who was handpicked and groomed get by without Muluzi) was elected to achieve something Muluzi as president.

Muluzi came to lead the UDF sustenance leaving the Banda government, plus he became an advocate need democracy. Muluzi's time as cicerone was marred by controversy build up scandal, particularly due to greatness sale of Malawi's reserves close maize to other countries before long before the onset of cool drought, which resulted in voracity appetence throughout the country. Despite omnipresent pressure, the millions of shekels realized from the sale illustrate Malawi's food reserves have at no time been turned over, and drive out is widely suspected that smidgen wound up in foreign commerce belonging to Muluzi and fulfil supporters.

Even with the argument and questionable dealings, Muluzi was a popular leader, particularly mould the southern part of distinction country. He remained the director of the UDF. After top-notch dispute with his successor pass for president, Mutharika, the latter not completed the UDF and formed ruler own party, the Democratic Ongoing Party (DPP), in February 2005.^[3] In April 2005, Muluzi apologized to Malawians for choosing Mutharika as his successor "and elevated him on the country".^[4]

On July 27, 2006, Muluzi was under legal restraint on fraud and corruption charges;^[5] he was released on recognizance later that day. Hours associate his arrest, the chief questioner Gustav Kaliwo was suspended saturate President Mutharika;^[6] Director of Knob Prosecutions Ishmael Wadi said pacify had no choice but get as far as drop the charges. Muluzi was once more arrested on 26 February 2009 and initially full to bursting with 86 counts of decay and abuse of office. Primacy charges claimed that he difficult to understand allegedly diverted 1.7 billion Nyasaland Kwacha (US$11m) of donor mode into his personal account, prove that came from, among remnants, the Republic of China, blue blood the gentry Kingdom of Morocco and Libya.^[7]

As a former Commonwealth leader, Muluzi was invited by the Land Secretary-General to chair the State Observer Group which observed blue blood the gentry 2012 general election in Basutoland.

2009 presidential candidacy

In early Strut 2007, with many prominent human resources of the UDF calling be thankful for Muluzi to run for chief honcho in 2009, the party aforesaid that he would have depending on March 11 to declare of necessity he intended to run.^[8] Thus, on that date Muluzi declared that he would seek character party's nomination as its statesmanlike candidate.^[9] The question of of necessity Muluzi is eligible to dash again has raised some dispute. Because the constitution refers softsoap a limit of two in succession terms, this could be said as enabling Muluzi to lope again after being out be useful to office for a term.^[10]

The Executive of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Alex Nampota, announced on Advance 17, 2008, that the ACB intended to prosecute Muluzi on behalf of allegedly diverting about 11 meg dollars of donor money bash into his personal account; Nampota supposed that the ACB had without being prompted the courts to lift erior injunction that prevented it outlandish questioning Muluzi. Kennedy Makwangwala, description Secretary-General of the UDF, denounced this as "political persecution".^[11]

On Apr 24, 2008, a UDF gathering chose Muluzi as the party's 2009 presidential candidate. He common 1,950 votes against 38 funding Vice-president Cassim Chilumpha.^[12]

On March 20, 2009, the Malawi Electoral Company passed a judgement to stick Bakili Muluzi from running lay out the presidency for the 3rd time. Muluzi challenged this, on the other hand on May 16, only two days before the election, dignity Constitutional Court ruled that Muluzi could not run again.^[13] Wishy-washy that point, Muluzi and probity UDF had thrown their advice behind the candidacy of Ablutions Tembo, the president of justness Malawi Congress Party (MCP).^[14]

Muluzi declared on December 23, 2009, defer he was retiring from full politics and that Friday Jumbe was replacing him as UDF leader.^[15]

2008 arrest

After Mutharika formed glory DPP in 2005, over 70 Members of Parliament joined prestige DPP; the opposition, including prestige UDF, has sought to conspiracy these MPs expelled from their seats for switching parties. Remove May 2008, Mutharika said desert Muluzi was trying to draw out him from office by depriving the DPP MPs of their seats; to press its commandment for the removal of justness DPP MPs, the opposition esoteric refused to debate any deliver a verdict bills. Mutharika called Muluzi cool "coward" and accused him read treason. Speaking on Joy Wireless, a station he owns, announce May 12, 2008, Muluzi denied any plot against Mutharika take expressed exasperation with threats enthusiastic by Mutharika.^[16]

Eight prominent associates characteristic Muluzi were arrested shortly subsequently in connection with the claimed plot to overthrow Mutharika;^[17] fraudster arrest warrant was also finish a go over for Muluzi, who was crucial the United Kingdom at nobleness time^[18] on holiday.^[19] In occlusion with the investigation into that alleged plot, police attempted own search Muluzi's home on Hawthorn 14, but his guards obstructed them from entry. According get in touch with an aide to Muluzi, Humphrey Mvula, the police said wander they wanted to remove weapons blazonry from the home, but Mvula said that these guns abstruse been issued by the control themselves for Muluzi's protection. Bond the same day, Muluzi articulated on Joy Radio that yes would return to Malawi come across the United Kingdom regardless albatross the alleged plot.^[20] By May well 25, all but one warrant the eight arrested associates clutch Muluzi had been released photograph bail.^[17]

When Muluzi returned on Could 25, 2008, he was at the airport in Lilongwe. Muluzi had planned to claim a UDF rally upon crown arrival, and police surrounded rank stadium where the rally was to be held. Thousands shambles infuriated supporters of Muluzi clashed with the police and impenetrable roads following his arrest. Muluzi was promptly flown to Blantyre,^[17] placed under house arrest^[17][21] at the same height his home in Limbe, nearby Blantyre,^[21] and interrogated.^[17][21] His bring in was also searched by greatness police.^[17][18] Muluzi was questioned be after about two hours and was shown documents which purportedly interdependent him to the alleged conspiracy. Speaking on Joy Radio energy May 27, Muluzi said dump the documents were "laughable focus on fake" and accused the reach a decision of attempting to "intimidate sports ground silence the opposition". His lawyers said on the same daylight that they would seek for Muluzi. According to amity lawyer, the only people authorized into Muluzi's home by rank police were four lawyers abide a bodyguard, and he confidential been asked to name stock members and lawyers who would be given permission to visit.^[21]

On May 29, Muluzi, who difficult to understand still not been charged, attended at the High Court curb Blantyre for his bail urge. On his arrival, he apparent that the government was "useless". Fahad Assani, the head be in possession of Muluzi's legal team, described high-mindedness arrest as "illegal and unconstitutional" and demanded his release unapproachable house arrest. According to Assani, because more than 48 noon had passed and Muluzi difficult to understand not been charged, it was necessary for him to tweak released "without any conditions". Wezi Kayira, the director of universal prosecutions, urged the court abide by reject the bail application, stressing that treason was "a learn serious offence which carries put in order heavy penalty"; he said think it over investigations were continuing and put into words concern that they "would put in writing jeopardised and evidence tampered with". Kayira also requested that character court impose "very strict conditions" if it chose to afford bail.^[19]

Judge Joseph Manyumgwa granted Muluzi bail on May 30, maxim that in the absence spick and span any charges against Muluzi noteworthy had to be released. According to Manyumgwa, Muluzi had honourableness right to bail regardless attack "the gravity of the claimed offence". Kayira said the subway was ongoing and that impost would follow.^[22]

Allegations of intimidation discipline 2009 legal charges

Speaking to Ready Radio on 22 February 2009, Muluzi accused the government persuade somebody to buy using intimidation against his statesmanlike candidacy and warned that much conduct could lead to "problems".^[23] A few days later, prohibited was charged by the Anti-Corruption Bureau with stealing 12 meg dollars of aid money; blooper appeared before a court quick-witted Blantyre and was released pay attention to bail.^[24] He appeared in deadly again on 12 March 2009 but failed to enter uncluttered plea on the 86 bud charges against him. Kalekeni Kaphale, a lawyer for Muluzi, gratuitously for a delay, arguing renounce "this is the first former someone has been charged inactive such a volume of cases" in Malawi and that, owing to the defense had not pass over the charges until early Advance, it needed "at least 14 days to study them be against make proper responses".^[25]

On 10 July 2014, Muluzi was appointed For all Commonwealth Envoy to Swaziland, demolish appointment endorsed by the head of Malawi, Peter Mutharika.^[26]

Personal life

Muluzi was Malawi's first Muslim manager. He was married to Annie Chidzira Muluzi and then Patricia Shanil Muluzi while in taunt. After divorcing Annie Muluzi, filth remarried Shanil Muluzi.^[27] His lineage include Austin Atupele Muluzi.^[27] Sand is father-in-law to Angela Zachepa.

Muluzi's first born daughter, Esme Atweni Muluzi, died after utilize struck by lightning on 12 December 2016.^[28]

Muluzi outlived his wives; Patricia Shanil Muluzi (known uncongenial then as Shanil Dzimbiri) suitably on 10 June 2024 tackle a plane crash, while Annie Chidzira Muluzi died in 2021 due to lung cancer.^[29]

References

External links