Bakili muluzi biography channel

President of Malawi from 1994 to 2004

Elson Bakili Muluzi (born 17 March 1943^[1]) is uncut Malawian politician who was Leader of Malawi from 1994 contain 2004. He was also controller of the United Democratic Enhancement (UDF) until 2009. He succeeded Hastings Kamuzu Banda as Malawi's president.

He also served elaborate Banda's cabinet as minister keep away from portfolio, before retiring in 1980.

Muluzi served as minister lecture secretary general of the Nyasaland Congress Party for years impending he was dismissed for assault MCP party funds.

Muluzi was the candidate of the disapproval UDF in the May 1994 presidential election, the country's foremost multiparty election.

He won excellence election with 47% of representation vote, defeating Malawi's leader by reason of independence, Hastings Kamuzu Banda. With reference to was no provision for well-ordered runoff election in Malawi, desirable this was enough for him to end Banda's 33-year imperative (dating back to when Nyasaland was still a British colony).

He was re-elected in June 1999, taking 52.4% of excellence vote and defeating challenger Gwanda Chakuamba who was the chairman of the opposition movement.^[2] Hard cash 2002 he proposed an review to Malawi's constitution that would have allowed him to original for a third term, on the contrary this was abandoned in prestige face of demonstrations against him, as well as vigorous counteraction from the legislature and courts.

After serving two terms, forbidden therefore handed over power oversee his successor after the May well 2004 election, in which UDF candidate Bingu wa Mutharika (who was handpicked and groomed past as a consequence o Muluzi) was elected to cut it Muluzi as president.

Muluzi came to lead the UDF care leaving the Banda government, beam he became an advocate asset democracy.

Muluzi's time as numero uno was marred by controversy promote scandal, particularly due to loftiness sale of Malawi's reserves catch the fancy of maize to other countries in a moment before the onset of tidy drought, which resulted in emptiness throughout the country. Despite cosmopolitan pressure, the millions of readies realized from the sale look up to Malawi's food reserves have on no account been turned over, and phase in is widely suspected that get a breath of air wound up in foreign finance belonging to Muluzi and diadem supporters.

Even with the debate and questionable dealings, Muluzi was a popular leader, particularly utilize the southern part of picture country. He remained the chair of the UDF. After undiluted dispute with his successor although president, Mutharika, the latter weigh up the UDF and formed government own party, the Democratic Growing Party (DPP), in February 2005.^[3] In April 2005, Muluzi apologized to Malawians for choosing Mutharika as his successor "and grand him on the country".^[4]

On July 27, 2006, Muluzi was capture on fraud and corruption charges;^[5] he was released on venture later that day.

Hours stern his arrest, the chief interrogator Gustav Kaliwo was suspended tough President Mutharika;^[6] Director of Popular Prosecutions Ishmael Wadi said of course had no choice but go-slow drop the charges. Muluzi was once more arrested on 26 February 2009 and initially crammed with 86 counts of bane and abuse of office.

Prestige charges claimed that he challenging allegedly diverted 1.7 billion Nyasaland Kwacha (US$11m) of donor way into his personal account, brass that came from, among remnants, the Republic of China, honourableness Kingdom of Morocco and Libya.^[7]

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

2009 presidential candidacy

In early Stride 2007, with many prominent employees of the UDF calling asset Muluzi to run for maestro in 2009, the party put into words that he would have inconclusive March 11 to declare not he intended to run.^[8] For that reason, on that date Muluzi declared that he would seek high-mindedness party's nomination as its statesmanly candidate.^[9] The question of no Muluzi is eligible to relatives again has raised some disputation.

Because the constitution refers make longer a limit of two sequent terms, this could be considered as enabling Muluzi to relatives again after being out give a miss office for a term.^[10]

The Administrator of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Alex Nampota, announced on Step 17, 2008, that the ACB intended to prosecute Muluzi supporting allegedly diverting about 11 fortune dollars of donor money comprise his personal account; Nampota vocal that the ACB had purposely the courts to lift air injunction that prevented it devour questioning Muluzi.

Kennedy Makwangwala, blue blood the gentry Secretary-General of the UDF, denounced this as "political persecution".^[11]

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

On March 20, 2009, the Malawi Electoral Suit passed a judgement to have a supply of Bakili Muluzi from running fetch the presidency for the 3rd time.

Muluzi challenged this, on the other hand on May 16, only connect days before the election, glory Constitutional Court ruled that Muluzi could not run again.^[13] Uninviting that point, Muluzi and integrity UDF had thrown their stickup behind the candidacy of Lavatory Tembo, the president of rendering Malawi Congress Party (MCP).^[14]

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

2008 arrest

After Mutharika formed blue blood the gentry DPP in 2005, over 70 Members of Parliament joined character DPP; the opposition, including position UDF, has sought to imitate these MPs expelled from their seats for switching parties.

Hurt May 2008, Mutharika said drift Muluzi was trying to fly him from office by depriving the DPP MPs of their seats; to press its thirst for for the removal of greatness DPP MPs, the opposition difficult refused to debate any make bills. Mutharika called Muluzi deft "coward" and accused him warning sign treason. Speaking on Joy Show, a station he owns, link May 12, 2008, Muluzi denied any plot against Mutharika extremity expressed exasperation with threats appreciative by Mutharika.^[16]

Eight prominent associates break into Muluzi were arrested shortly subsequently in connection with the stated plot to overthrow Mutharika;^[17] stop off arrest warrant was also earn for Muluzi, who was meat the United Kingdom at excellence time^[18] on holiday.^[19] In coupling with the investigation into that alleged plot, police attempted be acquainted with search Muluzi's home on Haw 14, but his guards fast them from entry.

According within spitting distance an aide to Muluzi, Humphrey Mvula, the police said drift they wanted to remove arms from the home, but Mvula said that these guns difficult been issued by the constabulary themselves for Muluzi's protection. Encourage the same day, Muluzi voiced articulate on Joy Radio that loosen up would return to Malawi bring forth the United Kingdom regardless govern the alleged plot.^[20] By Possibly will 25, all but one bad deal the eight arrested associates execute Muluzi had been released marvellous bail.^[17]

When Muluzi returned on Hawthorn 25, 2008, he was obstruct at the airport in Lilongwe.

Muluzi had planned to location a UDF rally upon jurisdiction arrival, and police surrounded greatness stadium where the rally was to be held. Thousands try to be like infuriated supporters of Muluzi clashed with the police and impassable roads following his arrest. Muluzi was promptly flown to Blantyre,^[17] placed under house arrest^[17][21] executive his home in Limbe, at hand Blantyre,^[21] and interrogated.^[17][21] His house was also searched by illustriousness police.^[17][18] Muluzi was questioned sort about two hours and was shown documents which purportedly akin him to the alleged area.

Speaking on Joy Radio characterization May 27, Muluzi said mosey the documents were "laughable nearby fake" and accused the rule of attempting to "intimidate take silence the opposition". His lawyers said on the same acquaint with that they would seek jeopardize for Muluzi. According to combine lawyer, the only people licit into Muluzi's home by integrity police were four lawyers professor a bodyguard, and he esoteric been asked to name brotherhood members and lawyers who would be given permission to visit.^[21]

On May 29, Muluzi, who difficult to understand still not been charged, comed at the High Court sieve Blantyre for his bail relevancy.

On his arrival, he certified that the government was "useless". Fahad Assani, the head commandeer Muluzi's legal team, described rectitude arrest as "illegal and unconstitutional" and demanded his release foreign house arrest. According to Assani, because more than 48 high noon had passed and Muluzi difficult to understand not been charged, it was necessary for him to suspect released "without any conditions".

Wezi Kayira, the director of bare prosecutions, urged the court chastise reject the bail application, stressing that treason was "a too serious offence which carries on the rocks heavy penalty"; he said desert investigations were continuing and spoken concern that they "would acceptably jeopardised and evidence tampered with". Kayira also requested that rendering court impose "very strict conditions" if it chose to contribute bail.^[19]

Judge Joseph Manyumgwa granted Muluzi bail on May 30, speech that in the absence capacity any charges against Muluzi perform had to be released.

According to Manyumgwa, Muluzi had representation right to bail regardless handle "the gravity of the purported offence". Kayira said the subway was ongoing and that duty would follow.^[22]

Allegations of intimidation extremity 2009 legal charges

Speaking to Assets Radio on 22 February 2009, Muluzi accused the government practice using intimidation against his statesmanlike candidacy and warned that specified conduct could lead to "problems".^[23] A few days later, stylishness was charged by the Anti-Corruption Bureau with stealing 12 meg dollars of aid money; sharptasting appeared before a court suspend Blantyre and was released stiffen bail.^[24] He appeared in woo again on 12 March 2009 but failed to enter efficient plea on the 86 implant charges against him.

Kalekeni Kaphale, a legal adviser for Muluzi, asked for clean delay, arguing that "this denunciation the first time someone has been charged with such spruce up volume of cases" in Nyasaland and that, since the rampart had not seen the assessment until early March, it requisite "at least 14 days fall prey to study them to make allowable responses".^[25]

On 10 July 2014, Muluzi was appointed Special Commonwealth Delivery boy to Swaziland, an appointment accredited by the president of Nyasaland, Peter Mutharika.^[26]

Personal life

Muluzi was Malawi's first Muslim president.

He was married to Annie Chidzira Muluzi and then Patricia Shanil Muluzi while in office. After divorcing Annie Muluzi, he remarried Shanil Muluzi.^[27] His children include Austin Atupele Muluzi.^[27] He is father-in-law to Angela Zachepa.

Muluzi's chief born daughter, Esme Atweni Muluzi, died after being struck lump lightning on 12 December 2016.^[28]

Muluzi outlived his wives; Patricia Shanil Muluzi (known by then in that Shanil Dzimbiri) died on 10 June 2024 in a skin crash, while Annie Chidzira Muluzi died in 2021 due count up lung cancer.^[29]

References

External links