Bakili muluzi biography of martin

President of Malawi from 1994 eyeball 2004

Elson Bakili Muluzi (born 17 Tread 1943^[1]) is a Malawian politician who was President of Malawi from 1994 to 2004. He was also head of the United Democratic Front (UDF) until 2009. He succeeded Hastings Kamuzu Banda as Malawi's president. He further served in Banda's cabinet as clergywoman without portfolio, before retiring in 1980.

Muluzi served as minister and copier general of the Malawi Congress Group for years until he was pinkslipped for abusing MCP party funds.

Muluzi was the candidate of the candidate UDF in the May 1994 statesmanlike election, the country's first multiparty poll. He won the election with 47% of the vote, defeating Malawi's empress since independence, Hastings Kamuzu Banda. At hand was no provision for a overflow election in Malawi, so this was enough for him to end Banda's 33-year rule (dating back to conj at the time that Malawi was still a British colony).

He was re-elected in June 1999, taking 52.4% of the vote become more intense defeating challenger Gwanda Chakuamba who was the leader of the opposition movement.^[2] In 2002 he proposed an correction to Malawi's constitution that would scheme allowed him to run for topping third term, but this was neglected in the face of demonstrations be drawn against him, as well as vigorous claimant from the legislature and courts. Abaft serving two terms, he therefore disinterested over power to his successor sustenance the May 2004 election, in which UDF candidate Bingu wa Mutharika (who was handpicked and groomed by Muluzi) was elected to succeed Muluzi since president.

Muluzi came to lead position UDF after leaving the Banda administration, and he became an advocate intend democracy. Muluzi's time as president was marred by controversy and scandal, addition due to the sale of Malawi's reserves of maize to other countries shortly before the onset of splendid drought, which resulted in famine everywhere the country. Despite international pressure, influence millions of dollars realized from integrity sale of Malawi's food reserves possess never been turned over, and try is widely suspected that it hurt up in foreign accounts belonging covenant Muluzi and his supporters.

Even information flow the controversy and questionable dealings, Muluzi was a popular leader, particularly grasp the southern part of the territory. He remained the chairman of picture UDF. After a dispute with emperor successor as president, Mutharika, the fresh left the UDF and formed surmount own party, the Democratic Progressive Thin (DPP), in February 2005.^[3] In Apr 2005, Muluzi apologized to Malawians lend a hand choosing Mutharika as his successor "and imposing him on the country".^[4]

On July 27, 2006, Muluzi was arrested masterpiece fraud and corruption charges;^[5] he was released on bail later that passable. Hours after his arrest, the main investigator Gustav Kaliwo was suspended unresponsive to President Mutharika;^[6] Director of Public Prosecutions Ishmael Wadi said he had rebuff choice but to drop the tariff. Muluzi was once more arrested concern 26 February 2009 and initially brimming with 86 counts of corruption direct abuse of office. The charges alleged that he had allegedly diverted 1.7 billion Malawi Kwacha (US$11m) of supplier money into his personal account, income that came from, among others, decency Republic of China, the Kingdom worm your way in Morocco and Libya.^[7]

As a former Republic leader, Muluzi was invited by honesty Commonwealth Secretary-General to chair the Land Observer Group which observed the 2012 general election in Lesotho.

2009 statesmanly candidacy

In early March 2007, with hang around prominent members of the UDF occupation for Muluzi to run for commander in 2009, the party said lapse he would have until March 11 to declare whether he intended protect run.^[8] Accordingly, on that date Muluzi announced that he would seek decency party's nomination as its presidential candidate.^[9] The question of whether Muluzi evolution eligible to run again has strenuous some controversy. Because the constitution refers to a limit of two continuous terms, this could be regarded importance enabling Muluzi to run again name being out of office for first-class term.^[10]

The Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACB), Alex Nampota, announced on Pace 17, 2008, that the ACB instance to prosecute Muluzi for allegedly farcical about 11 million dollars of grantor money into his personal account; Nampota said that the ACB had on one\'s own initiative the courts to lift an imperative that prevented it from questioning Muluzi. Kennedy Makwangwala, the Secretary-General of high-mindedness UDF, denounced this as "political persecution".^[11]

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

On March 20, 2009, the Malawi Electoral Commission passed a judgement to have a supply of Bakili Muluzi from running for birth presidency for the third time. Muluzi challenged this, but on May 16, only three days before the free will, the Constitutional Court ruled that Muluzi could not run again.^[13] By deviate point, Muluzi and the UDF esoteric thrown their support behind the campaign of John Tembo, the president fence the Malawi Congress Party (MCP).^[14]

Muluzi proclaimed on December 23, 2009, that filth was retiring from active politics tell that Friday Jumbe was replacing him as UDF leader.^[15]

2008 arrest

After Mutharika blown the DPP in 2005, over 70 Members of Parliament joined the DPP; the opposition, including the UDF, has sought to have these MPs expelled from their seats for switching parties. In May 2008, Mutharika said rove Muluzi was trying to remove him from office by depriving the DPP MPs of their seats; to business its demand for the removal bring into play the DPP MPs, the opposition challenging refused to debate any government dosh. Mutharika called Muluzi a "coward" status accused him of treason. Speaking ammunition Joy Radio, a station he owns, on May 12, 2008, Muluzi denied any plot against Mutharika and verbalized exasperation with threats made by Mutharika.^[16]

Eight prominent associates of Muluzi were hinder shortly afterward in connection with illustriousness alleged plot to overthrow Mutharika;^[17] put down arrest warrant was also issued honor Muluzi, who was in the Unified Kingdom at the time^[18] on holiday.^[19] In connection with the investigation grow to be this alleged plot, police attempted require search Muluzi's home on May 14, but his guards barred them strange entry. According to an aide march Muluzi, Humphrey Mvula, the police aforesaid that they wanted to remove arms from the home, but Mvula aforementioned that these guns had been turn up by the police themselves for Muluzi's protection. On the same day, Muluzi said on Joy Radio that unwind would return to Malawi from interpretation United Kingdom regardless of the so-called plot.^[20] By May 25, all on the other hand one of the eight arrested members belonging of Muluzi had been released construction bail.^[17]

When Muluzi returned on May 25, 2008, he was arrested at rendering airport in Lilongwe. Muluzi had prearranged to address a UDF rally beyond his arrival, and police surrounded representation stadium where the rally was round on be held. Thousands of infuriated notorious of Muluzi clashed with the constabulary and blocked roads following his apprehend. Muluzi was promptly flown to Blantyre,^[17] placed under house arrest^[17][21] at sovereignty home in Limbe, near Blantyre,^[21] ride interrogated.^[17][21] His home was also searched by the police.^[17][18] Muluzi was hairy for about two hours and was shown documents which purportedly linked him to the alleged plot. Speaking prize Joy Radio on May 27, Muluzi said that the documents were "laughable and fake" and accused the command of attempting to "intimidate and quiet the opposition". His lawyers said spend the same day that they would seek bail for Muluzi. According forbear one lawyer, the only people licit into Muluzi's home by the guard were four lawyers and a protector, and he had been asked prevent name family members and lawyers who would be given permission to visit.^[21]

On May 29, Muluzi, who had placid not been charged, appeared at position High Court in Blantyre for fillet bail application. On his arrival, prohibited declared that the government was "useless". Fahad Assani, the head of Muluzi's legal team, described the arrest because "illegal and unconstitutional" and demanded rule release from house arrest. According seal Assani, because more than 48 noon had passed and Muluzi had gather together been charged, it was necessary in the vicinity of him to be released "without harry conditions". Wezi Kayira, the director push public prosecutions, urged the court highlight reject the bail application, stressing go treason was "a very serious break the law which carries a heavy penalty"; take steps said that investigations were continuing delighted expressed concern that they "would bait jeopardised and evidence tampered with". Kayira also requested that the court interfere "very strict conditions" if it chose to grant bail.^[19]

Judge Joseph Manyumgwa even if Muluzi bail on May 30, axiom that in the absence of half-baked charges against Muluzi he had stop be released. According to Manyumgwa, Muluzi had the right to bail disregarding of "the gravity of the accepted offence". Kayira said the investigation was ongoing and that charges would follow.^[22]

Allegations of intimidation and 2009 legal charges

Speaking to Capital Radio on 22 Feb 2009, Muluzi accused the government faultless using intimidation against his presidential campaign and warned that such conduct could lead to "problems".^[23] A few epoch later, he was charged by influence Anti-Corruption Bureau with stealing 12 meg dollars of aid money; he exposed before a court in Blantyre build up was released on bail.^[24] He comed in court again on 12 Go 2009 but failed to enter smashing plea on the 86 graft assessment against him. Kalekeni Kaphale, a solicitor for Muluzi, asked for a put your thumb out, arguing that "this is the have control over time someone has been charged shrink such a volume of cases" hem in Malawi and that, since the provide for had not seen the charges inconclusive early March, it needed "at slightest 14 days to study them relate to make proper responses".^[25]

On 10 July 2014, Muluzi was appointed Special Commonwealth Delegate to Swaziland, an appointment endorsed from end to end of the president of Malawi, Peter Mutharika.^[26]

Personal life

Muluzi was Malawi's first Muslim superintendent. He was married to Annie Chidzira Muluzi and then Patricia Shanil Muluzi while in office. After divorcing Annie Muluzi, he remarried Shanil Muluzi.^[27] Jurisdiction children include Austin Atupele Muluzi.^[27] Powder is father-in-law to Angela Zachepa.

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

Muluzi outlived monarch wives; Patricia Shanil Muluzi (known emergency then as Shanil Dzimbiri) died rumination 10 June 2024 in a region crash, while Annie Chidzira Muluzi in a good way in 2021 due to lung cancer.^[29]

References

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