COMMENT - FSP
worked extremely well under President Bingu wa Mutharika. The only ones who object to the subsidy of Malawian farmers are the World Bank and IMF. As usual, they reject programmes that have been proven to work, and saved everyone $58 million ($62 million for the FSP instead of $120 million going to maize imports), because they don't fit
their free trade dogma. Supposedly, because they don't object to the same subsidies time millions, when they are given go US and EU agribusinesses.
Tembo calls for universal fertiliser subsidy
By Charles Kufa, Nyasa Times
July 31, 2012
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president and Leader of Opposition in Parliament,
John Tembo, has resounded his call for a universal fertilizer subsidy, saying it could be the possible solution for the country‘s agriculture production.Speaking at a public meeting he held in Dedza North West constituency, the veteran politician said it does not make sense “for few people” benefitting from one bag of fertiliser and yet the rest are buying the same commodity at K12, 000.
He said more Malawians who would want to contribute to the country’s agriculture production need more than a bag of fertiliser.
Tembo also said law enforcing agents should deal with anybody who involved in corruption for the provision of fertiliser subsidy and distribution “no matter how high the person.”
Tembo: Universal fertiliser subsidy
Politics
On political front, Tembo said he was committed to have Malawi with a constructive opposition and not destructive.
Tembo said he will continue to give advice to the Head of State and that he will not necessarily oppose for the sake of it.
“We wish to contribute to the development of Malawi,” he said.
Tembo said he was confident the 2014 general elections will be credible, free and fair, said President Mrs Joyce Banda has refused to maintain the “rigging machine” that former ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) were using in elections.
Tembo said MCP will hold a national convention to select a presidential candidate but did not disclose the dates.
He said MCP is the only party today which has roots and that he will strive to keep the party strong.
Tembo said anybody who want MCP to be weak or disband are “wasting their time.”
Labels: FSP, JOHN TEMBO, MCP
Read more...
COMMENT - More austerity coming from the IMF. Apparently, more poverty is just what Malawi needed.
Opposition chief, donors hail budget but DPP says ‘crap’
Published on June 8th, 2012
Written by: Nyasa Times
Leader of the Opposition John Tembo and the donor community on Friday showered praise on the 2012/13 national budget Finance Minister Ken Lipenga presented to Parliament in the capital Lilongwe. But former ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) trashed the “recovery budget saying
it’s in not designed to be pro-impoverished Malawians.Speaking in separate interviews outside the new Parliament building, Tembo who is also president of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) described the budget as a difficult financial plan but he was quick to point out that it has brought relief to business people and if business will be stable then this will ease the challenges the ordinary people are facing due to devaluation.
Peter Mutharika: Not pro-poor budget
Tembo said it’s good that government has abandoned the zero deficit budget which the DPP had introduced.
“We should give the People’s Party government (of President Joyce Banda) time to correct the mess DPP had left especially on economy”, said Tembo, adding that it’s not easy for the government to perform any miracle on the economy.
But DPP president Peter Mutharika described the budget as not meant for poor people.
He said there is no immediate intervention to help them due to the devaluation that has hit hard the poor.
Mutharika, however said the budget is mainly depending on donor funding which the DPP government was trying to move away from.
Cooperating partners take
Africa Development Bank (ADB) representative to Malawi who is also current chair for the Common Approach to Budget Support (CABS) which is a grouping of donors providing direct budget support to Malawi, Andrew Mwamba described the budget as difficult; saying it’s not easy for the current government to start bringing the economy back on track.
On the minister’s call for the donors to disburse its funds to Malawi, the CABS chair said it will depend on how quick individual donor countries will respond to economic reforms that the Banda government would put in place.
According to Mwamba individual countries were just waiting for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) node to start working on the assistance.
CABS is donor group that comprises of the ADB, the European Union, Norway, the UK amongst others.
EU country representative Alexander Baum said he was happy that the minister has outlined some tax measures that will help to ease the burden of devaluation that has hit hard on poor Malawians.
He cited examples of fertilizer that has remained at K500 which he said will still help poor farmers to access fertilizer at a reasonable cost.
Labels: JOHN TEMBO, JOYCE BANDA
Read more...
Tembo refuses to name departure date, loses cool on Straight Talk interview
By Nyasa Times
Published: January 12, 2010
Veteran politician, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president John Tembo, 77, confirmed that people in his party are preparing to succeed him but refused to name a date for his departure.
He acknowledged that there are “excellent young men” in MCP who would successfully lead the party in 2014 elections but kept his exit date close to his chest.
Tembo, speaking on Capital Radio’s Straight Talk programme monitored by Nyasa Times on Tuesday evening, said: “I have not myself thought about retiring from politics. Politics is a process, it starts and it goes on. And you don’t start at the end; you start at the beginning and see how far you have gone.”
In a fast-paced interview, journalist Brian Banda cited the retirement of former president Bakili Muluzi, 66, from active politics and asked Tembo if he will follow suit.
“I listened to Dr Muluzi’s statement and the press conference he gave. He cited ill health as one of the reasons he was retiring from politics and now everybody knows he is not very well. Yes I speak to him, we got on very well and I feel sorry that he is not very well.”
He was asked that there are divisions in MCP due to a formation of task force agitating for leadership change and whether he had any regrets leading the party.
“I have no regret whatsoever, if anything, I have kept MCP together for more years that should demand appreciation by people who have no bias.
“MCP would have died a long time ago if it was not my contribution to its management.”
He said his contribution has been in “administering and leading the party”.
“That is the contribution I am very proud of,” Tembo said.
But pressed to comment on the pressure for him to step down he said: “I am the leader of MCP and you don’t know when I am going.”
“You should watch how MCP develops. We have a very clear path of management for the party and a proper leader will emerge in the Malawi Congress Party who follows the constitution and tradition of the MCP.”
Asked that the pressure is mounting for him to resign, the veteran politician said: “Capital Radio should find out the names of those leaders and tell me on a straight question to me.”
Put to him that the leadership change has been agitated by late Ishmael Chafukira and now the Leader of Opposition, Abele Kayembe faction, Tembo said: “In a democracy anybody can aspire but it must be done properly according to the constitution and tradition of that party.”
On the election of leader of opposition, the position which he was toppled on technicality, Tembo said late Chafukira championed the move on orders from DPP government.
“The procedure they followed was entirely wrong because we have standing orders which govern the elections of the leader of opposition. This was not followed. They used and abused the majority of government side to take part in elections of leader of opposition. I have never heard it anywhere where the government itself get involved in the election of leadership of the opposition.”
Banda, asked Tembo on fevered talks that he is a “dictator” and that people “craw” to speak to him, the MCP president lost his cool.
“Okay craw now so that you can address me. If you say people craw, craw now, let’s see how you craw.
“People can judge me whether I am a dictator or not a dictator. I don’t think MCP could have been together today if I were a dictator.”
Asked if he recognized Kayembe as Leader of Opposition, he said: “As a member of parliament, I am against the process which the DPP government followed by electing one member of MCP as their choice of leader of opposition. It’s a shameful thing.”
Banda asked Tembo again to answer clearly if he recognized his former protégé Kayembe now turned critic as a Leader of Opposition.
He said: “I have answered your stupid question.”
What do you mean, the journalist asked Tembo.
“Because you know very well that the process was not correct,” answered MCP president.
“We have a leader of opposition selected and elected by government.”
“The opposition in parliament is charged with responsibility of representing those of no voice in their constituencies and one of these is to take government to task to follow proper methods of government, democratic, rule of law and to spread development in the country, evenly without favouring any part of the country and that’s the duty of the opposition. If you call that taking government to task, fine but that was my duty.”
Questioned if he was bitter that he has not achieved his ambition to become President, Tembo said: “I am not answering that question because I have never told you I want to be president.”
Put to him that he has stood in presidential elections, he said. “To stand for elections in a democracy is not to be president of the country. Representing people who want you to lead them.”
Tembo was asked why he is continuing with his challenge to the May 2009 election results.
He responded: “Mr. Banda if you are DPP continue to be DPP. You have every right, but don’t come and insult me with questions which are not proper.
“It’s not the first government we have had in Malawi. We have had many governments and I have never questioned their legitimacy when they follow proper procedures.”
He added: “Look, you are living and I am living, we are talking about this country let’s see and wait and see how we progress. Clearly you are DPP and I am not afraid of saying so on a public radio from the way you are putting your questions to me. But you will never never cow me, I am John Tembo.”
Tembo further pointed out: “I am not wasting my times or resources to challenges something for which I have evidence. All I have asked is let’s open the presidential boxes what’s wrongs with that. Let’s open the boxes and count them again.
“What I want to achieve is to let people of Malawi to know exactly what happened.”
Labels: JOHN TEMBO
Read more...
Tembo says Malawi should not accuse foreign countries for its economic mess
By Nyasa Times
Published: November 26, 2009
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president John Tembo has said President Bingu wa Mutharika government should not accuse foreign countries on the crippling foreign currency and fuel shortages.
The problems have prompted the government to ban all foreign trips by public officials and affected Mutharika’s trip to attend Commonwealth Heads of government meeting in Trinidad and Tobago.
“Where has foreign exchange gone? Let people know,” said the veteran politician.
“But don’t accuse foreign countries as being responsible for the mess we are in today in Malawi,” said Tembo.
Malawi government blames Mozambique as being esponsible for the country’s fuel woes, claiming that fuel has been held up because of congestion in the ports of Nacala and Beira. The claim was strongly denied by Mozambique authorities.
Tembo in remarks made on Capital Radio said the ban of all foreign trips by government officials is not going to help save the much needed foreign exchange.
“It is not. Because the amount of money spent by civil servants on trips is not the major problem. But the major problems that Malawi has, are not caused by civil servants, whether in their trips, allowances and so on,” he said.
“Yes it’s good to reduce expenditure, control expenditure but to use that as main reason, no!”
Tembo questioned President Mutharika for presidential jet purchase at the tune of about US$15.9million.
“Where did he get the money to buy the plane which he has?” wondered the MCP president.
“I don’t remember parliament passing the budget and money which was used to purchase the presidential jet. Because an item like that comes to parliament as a specific item for the whole country to take pride in for a Head of State to have a new jet.
“After all, I have dealt with purchase of plane before, both as minister of finance and chairman of Air Malawi. We had to bring to parliament specific items for approval.”
He said: “For instance, Kwacha that plane we are using now, I negotiated for its purchase myself and parliament had to pass authorization bill for the loan which was used to buy that plane.
“Who can tell me now that you can hide in the budget a major item as a purchase of a plane?”
Tembo called on government o be democratic, transparent and be open to its own citizens.
Labels: JOHN TEMBO, MCP
Read more...
Malawi’s John Tembo rejects calls to quit after defeat
Written by Chibaula Silwamba
Monday, May 25, 2009 3:40:13 PM
MALAWI'S losing presidential candidate John Tembo has rejected calls from his party top officials that he should resign following his loss. Reacting to last Tuesday's presidential and parliamentary elections in which President Bingu wa Mutharika and his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won with a landslide, Tembo said he had not conceded defeat to the re-elected President.
Tembo said
he still had outstanding problems with the electoral process and the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).
"What I am taking to court are the issues which are causing concern to me and to my followers. We want to get clarity to ensure that elections were free and fair, democratically and so on. I haven't conceded defeat," said 77-year-old Tembo who stood on the ticket of the alliance of his Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and former president Bakili Muluzi's United Democratic Front (UDF).
Asked about calls from MCP spokesperson Ishmael Chafukila and other party top members that he resigns and their acknowledgment of President Wa Mutharika's re-election for a final second term of office, Tembo responded: "Malawi Congress Party has not conceded defeat and Chafukila is not speaking for the party. That is his view, maybe. But it is not the view of the party."
When reminded that his partner Muluzi had also accepted President Wa Mutharika's re-election, attended the President's inauguration ceremony and had issued a statement that he did not want to see violence because of disgruntled poll losers, most likely in reference to him, Tembo said Muluzi was not talking about him.
"No! He was not referring to me. Dr Bakili Muluzi went there as a chairperson of the UDF as well as a former president of the Republic of Malawi," said Tembo in a telephone interview from Lilongwe in Malawi.
Chafukila had earlier stated: "We are now making a call on Hon JZU Tembo to step aside and allow our party to move on."
President Wa Mutharika got 65 per cent of total votes far ahead of Tembo's 31.8 per cent. President Wa Mutharika and his running mate Joyce Banda, who becomes the first-ever female Vice-President of Malawi, were sworn in on Friday in Blantyre.
President Wa Mutharika's governing DPP also attained a two-thirds majority in Parliament, which would give the party an upper hand to pass laws and the budget without difficulties as it had been since 2005 when it was formed after the President and his supporters resigned from UDF which had ushered them into office.
Labels: DPP, ELECTIONS, JOHN TEMBO
Read more...
MCP concedes, urges Tembo to resign
Font size: Thom Chiumia 22 May, 2009 09:53:00
Opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has conceded defeat in the general elections and congratulated President Ngwazi Dr Bingu wa Mutharika for securing a second term of office. The party has meanwhile demanded resignation of its president John Tembo.
The call has been made in a statement issued by MCP spokesman Ishmael Chafukila and made available to Nyasa Times by the party UK chair, Chris Banda.
“In a multiparty dispensation, people should be proud to belong to a party of their choice, we, as members of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) are proud to be so. Today we feel duty bound on behalf a large number of MCP members and supporters ....to speak out and take leadership at this challenging time for the party and in order to start the process and journey for MCP to find its feet again and over the time to seek a renewed direction,” the statement said.
The statement said on behalf of MCP members and supporters, the party concedes defeat in the election and congratulate the President Mutharika and his entire party for their deserved victory.
MCP pledged to work with the Mutharika administration in developing the country and called for new leadership within its ranks.
“It is the wish of MCP members and supporters that the MCP and a new leadership must work closely with the president and his government, in a non antagonistic manner to advance the economic and social aspirations of Malawians,” said the statement issued by Banda and Chafukila.
The party said t the decision to challenge the results of the election is the wish of Tembo as an individual and not that of the entire party.
“The position of the party is that we wish to move on and rebuild our party with new leadership that fully embraces the tenets of democracy. All well wishing supporters of MCP should not allow Hon JZU Tembo to take down the MCP and deny it its rightful place in the multiparty dispensation that our country cannot effort to backtrack from,” said the statement.
“It is within his right as an individual and presidential candidate in the just ended elections to take grievances, but he should not translate that to be the position of the Malawi Congress Party and its members.
“He should not derail our recovery as a party. He must challenge the results outside the party in a court of law. He should allow the party to reconcile with its members who have spoken through this election that they do not wish to be taken for granted,” said the statement.
The party urged Tembo, 77 to let the party go and flourish and asked him to humbly resign.
“We are now making a call on Hon JZU Tembo to step aside and allow our party to move on. We have many talented Members of the Malawi Congress Party who are ready to take on the challenge of rebuilding the party. For me that process must start now,” said the statement.
“ He should do the honorable thing and step down as the leader of the party and Member of Parliament for Dedza South, He should allow a by election on that constituency and we can assure him that MCP will win back that seat with a landslide on its way to full recovery,” said the statement.
Tembo lost the election to Mutharika and has claimed it was fraudulent. He plans to challenge the results in court.
Labels: ELECTIONS, ISHMAEL CHAFUKILA, JOHN TEMBO, MALAWI, MCP
Read more...
Malawi president wins poll, opposition cries foul
Written by Mabvuto Banda
Friday, May 22, 2009 2:07:05 PM
LILONGWE (Reuters) - Malawi's President Bingu wa Mutharika won re-election on Friday in a ballot widely viewed as a test for political stability in the southern African country, but the opposition said he rigged the vote. The Electoral Commission declared wa Mutharika the winner of the presidential poll with 2.7 million votes. His closest rival John Tembo won 1.2 million votes.
Wa Mutharika also won a parliamentary majority, which is likely to ease a standoff with the opposition that has almost paralysed government and unnerved donors and investors in what the Economist Intelligence Unit says is the world's second-fastest growing economy.
"We decided to go ahead and announce the winner because the votes we have verified and counted represent 93.25 percent of the total polling stations," said Electoral Commission head Anastasia Msosa.
Wa Mutharika's Democratic Progressive Party won 91 of the 193 parliamentary seats, while Tembo's Malawi Congress Party (MCP) took 25 and the United Democratic Front (UDF), which joined the MCP in an opposition alliance, won 17. Independent candidates took 26.
Tembo cried foul after early results showed wa Mutharika taking a commanding lead and said he would go to court to contest the results.
"I have received complaints from all over the country and believe that we have evidence to show that the election was rigged," Tembo told a news conference.
Wa Mutharika, due to be sworn in for a second term on Friday, based his campaign on a record of making Malawi a net food exporter and delivering three years of growth above 7 percent in the country of 13 million, where annual gross domestic product is only $313 per capita.
A Commonwealth election monitoring mission said wa Mutharika had exploited state media to gain an unfair advantage in the election but that the opposition should drop its protest.
Former president and UDF leader Bakili Muluzi, who was excluded from standing himself but had formed an alliance with Tembo, earlier acknowledged wa Mutharika had won and said he would support the new government.
Muluzi has been an arch rival of wa Mutharika and a protracted power struggle between the two almost paralysed parliament, prompting a failed impeachment bid and allegations of a coup plot that unnerved Western donors.
Labels: BINGU WA MUTHARIKA, ELECTIONS, JOHN TEMBO, MALAWI
Read more...
COMMENT - At age 77, I am surprised the BBC doesn't demand that 'John Tembo must go', because he is 'too old'. In fact, The Sun (one of Rupert Murdoch's papers) even ran an article on the 'corruption' of Bingu wa Mutharika and his 22 Mercedes Bentz acquisition for ministers. I would like to like the man, but I know I don't like his friends.
"The Malawi Congress Party is well-experienced, well-geared and determined to bring genuine socio-economic development to Malawi" - let's hope that means more than attracting foreign businesses to Malawi.
John Tembo: Poised for power --BBC
Raphael Tenthani, BBC 14 May, 2009 07:27:00
Will 2009 finally be the year of veteran Malawian politician John Zenus Ungapake Tembo after 15 years in opposition?
Mr Tembo, presidential candidate for the Malawi Congress Party, is banking on his long experience in government and the private sector during the MCP's uninterrupted 30 years under the late dictator, Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda, and a loyal vote from his stronghold - the tobacco heartland of Central region - to make it to State House.
"The Malawi Congress Party is well-experienced, well-geared and determined to bring genuine socio-economic development to Malawi," Mr Tembo told BBC News Online.
"And I am confident to win because I belong to the past, to the present and to the future."
At 77, Mr Tembo is the oldest among the seven Malawians vying for the southern African country's top job. His MCP has always come second best during the past three elections.
Old timer
JZU, as Mr Tembo is popularly known, is Malawi's longest-serving politician having been Dr Banda's right-hand man during all the three decades he was at the helm.
The MCP fought Britain's 70-year colonial rule and governed Malawi from 1964 to 1994, when Dr Banda's former protege, Bakili Muluzi, won power during the country's first multi-party elections.
Mr Tembo obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in political philosophy at Roma University in Lesotho 51 years ago.
He then taught at various secondary schools back home before entering politics as an MP for the Central Highland district of Dedza in the 1960s.
He was appointed finance minister in 1966 and later became the longest-serving central bank chief after being governor for the Reserve Bank of Malawi for a record 13 years.
In between he chaired many private and public institutions, including Malawi's largest conglomerate, Press Corporation Limited, as well as Blantyre Print and Packaging, the University of Malawi, the New Building Society and several banks.
During the 1990s, he became the all-powerful Treasurer General of the Malawi Congress Party.
He later became minister of state in the president's office during the twilight of the MCP stranglehold on power when exiled Malawian politicians started agitating for political change around 1992.
Power struggle
Following the death of Dr Banda in 1997, Mr Tembo wrestled power from his life-long political rival Gwanda Chakuamba, who had been anointed MCP leader by the late dictator.
Mr Tembo became leader of opposition in parliament in 2004.
"The MCP wants to develop a sustainable economy and state infrastructure that grow, provide jobs and make life better for all Malawians," he said.
He added that this will be achieved by reducing government expenditure, economic mismanagement and initiating projects and programmes aimed at growth and development.
Mr Tembo also said he wants to bring corruption down at all levels and "create a feeling and the spirit of loyalty, patriotism and pride to be a Malawian".
On democracy, he says his party will be committed to the propagation of a vibrant Malawi by nurturing the development of a robust democratic culture and fostering the enjoyment of human rights and freedoms.
"The MCP will consolidate the gains in the cultural and political field.
"The MCP is well equipped with the necessary sound insights, strategies and policies to make Malawi a better nation once again," he said.
Mr Tembo's chances of winning power next Tuesday were boosted when the second opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) of former President Bakili Muluzi endorsed him as a joint MCP/UDF coalition presidential candidate.
Mr Muluzi had been stopped from contesting the presidency by the Malawi Electoral Commission on the premise that he has already served his constitutional two five-year terms.
Chuckle
The UDF is strong in the populous southern region from where hails Mr Tembo's main challenger, the incumbent President Bingu wa Mutharika.
Mr Tembo has Brown Mpinganjira, a senior UDF member, as his vice-presidential running mate.
Mr Mpinganjira, who contested the 2004 elections as candidate for the UDF break-away National Democratic alliance, is also a southerner.
Mr Tembo is married to Ruth and has three grown-up children.
Asked to confirm that he is fabulously rich, the veteran politician laughs off, chuckling: "I cannot say I am rich but I thank God that at least I can afford a glass of wine every day and at least a glass of whisky every week."
Labels: ELECTIONS, JOHN TEMBO, MALAWI
Read more...
Malawi opposition leader fears poll rigging by ‘some Zambians’
Written by Chibaula Silwamba in Lusaka and Christopher Miti in Chipata
Monday, May 11, 2009 11:44:12 PM
MALAWI's main opposition presidential candidate John Tembo has expressed disappointment at the secrecy that surrounded the printing and transportation of ballot papers ahead of next Tuesday's elections.
And Tembo, who is a presidential candidate for a coalition of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and United Democratic Front (UDF) in the May 19 elections, revealed that ‘some Zambians’ are in Malawi to help President Bingu wa Mutharika's DPP party to rig the elections.
In a telephone interview from Malawi on his way to one of his campaign rallies on Sunday, Tembo said it was strange that ballot papers were printed and transported to Malawi from the United Kingdom without political parties' representatives witnessing the process.
"Members of the opposition parties agreed with the Malawi Electoral Commission [MEC] that they would attend the process of printing, transportation and storage of ballot papers. But suddenly they were told that the ballot papers were already in the country. And these [ballot papers] were transported into Malawi but thanks to the electoral commission they invited members of the opposition parties or at least the candidates or their representatives to attend the arrival and storage," said 77-year-old Tembo, who is leading the MCP which was headed by the late first president of Malawi Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda. "This has been done but we don't know what is there, what goes on from there, what these people who have come to help rig are doing."
The ballot papers arrived in Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe, last Wednesday.
And Tembo said he was worried about ‘some Zambians’ who had been hired to rig elections in favour of the DPP.
"I am happy with my campaign as a member of the opposition; the coalition of the Malawi Congress Party and UDF, we are doing well. We are only worried that the governing party [the DPP], which as you know has not got elected members of parliament except five is using government resources to campaign against the long tradition of democratic governance in a country. Yes, we have reported the matter to MEC," Tembo said. "We are also worried by some Zambians who have come allegedly to help the government to rig the elections. They were in Lilongwe, now they went to Blantyre. They are in Ilovo Building."
Asked to name the Zambians whom he alleged were in Malawi to help the DPP rig the elections, Tembo responded: "Ask the government officially who are the Zambians who have just come into Malawi? Ask them. Ask the government."
He also said the DPP government had failed to convene parliamentary sessions so that people's representatives could debate national developmental programmes.
"I am going to correct all the mess that has been created by this government which avoids Parliament because it is only in Parliament when you can take them to task. Have you ever seen a government, let alone an African government, which only convenes one meeting of Parliament a year? That is very strange. Isn't it? Because the government is afraid to be asked questions on the usage of resources," responded Tembo when asked what his priority would be if elected President of Malawi in the May 19 elections.
On President Wa Mutharika's accusation against the international donors that they were interfering with the operations of the MEC, Tembo challenged the head of state to produce evidence and mention the international donors he was complaining against.
"I have no evidence to suggest that donors are interfering with elections. One has to give me what the President is complaining about. He has not mentioned," Tembo said. "The last time I heard him speak like this was when the opposition was asking for an independent parallel tally centre but when two former presidents, one from Ghana [John Kufour] and the other from Mozambique [Joaquim Chisano] came and met with the President [Wa Mutharika], myself and Dr Bakili Muluzi, we all agreed that we should have an independent monitoring centre not tallying centre as such because there was misunderstanding that a tally centre was demanded in order to co-manage the elections."
He said no such demand was made to have a tally centre to co-manage the elections.
"We just wanted to monitor the elections. Why did the President appoint [MEC] commissioners without consulting the opposition parties [and] leaders of opposition parties in Parliament? Why did you do that? Therefore, to give confidence to the electorate, we want to have a monitoring centre so that the results of the poll from each polling centre are monitored," said Tembo.
Malawi's Nyasa Times quoted President Wa Mutharika as having said: "Donors are running the Malawi Electoral Commission. They have deployed a large army of expatriates at the commission. Actually they are interfering in the internal affairs of Malawi. It's not right. This is outside the terms of diplomatic principles."
President Wa Mutharika is reported to have made the remarks at a presidential prayer breakfast organised by the Pentecostal Revival Ministries International in Blantyre.
Tembo, a seasoned politician who recently formed an eleventh-hour electoral coalition with former Malawian president Muluzi’s UDF party, will be the main challenger for President Wa Mutharika who is seeking a second term of office.
And the MEC would tomorrow begin moving ballot papers across the country five days before the elections which are slated for May 19.
MEC chairperson justice Anastazia Msosa said MEC would use the Malawi defence forces in transporting electoral materials to rural areas.
According to Malawi's Capital FM staffer George Mhango, justice Msosa has assured the nation that she would ensure that all polling centres have voting materials in advance to avoid conflicts with political players.
Former Malawian president Bakili Muluzi and his United Democratic Front UDF Party is backing Tembo.
Labels: ELECTIONS, JOHN TEMBO, MALAWI, VERNON MWAANGA
Read more...
Tembo launches pro-poor manifetso
Nyasa Times 26 April, 2009 05:03:00
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and United Democratic Front (UDF) joint presidential candidate for May 19 elections, John Tembo on Sunday launched a pro-poor manifesto at a historical rally in the capital Lilongwe.
At a rally held at Masintha grounds attend edby some twenty thousand cheering supporters of MCP and UDF, Tembo who was joined by former president BakilI Muluzi, said his government from May will introduce Universal Fertilizer Subsidy programme as opposed to the failed President Bingu wa Mutharika’s coupon system.
The prospective Malawi President Tembo said the new government in May will abolish the coupon system which he said was as a campaign tool as the coupons were only given to members of Mutharika’s party.
Tembo who has wealth of experience in government having served in late Ngwazi Dr Hasting Kamuzu Banda administration in different top portfolios assured that he will bring back Kamuzu’s agricultural success story by re-introduction of farmers clubs.
He however highlighted much on food security pointing out that the right to be free from hunger is a fundamental human right.
“Our government will adopt policies that will make sure that inputs are both affordable and equitably accessible so that productivity is increased,” said Tembo to a record crowd.
He promised to upscale social and economic infrastructure and extend quality government services, especially health and education, to rural areas.
Tembo also said other areas to be prioritised by his MCP-UDF government will include job creation and high service delivery.
He said the manifesto pledged to ensure that availability, accessibility and reliability of abundant food supplies are guaranteed for people at the national and household level.
“Measures will be undertaken to ensure successful subsistence farming, promotion of food crop production be estate and maintaining food reserve,” pledges the presidential hopeful.
He said his government will pursue an export and industrialization policy aiming at reversing the current state of Malawi being a net importer into a net exporter.
Tembo also promised to remove duty on imports of raw materials and other inputs not available in Malawi.
He said as Head of State, development will be equitably distributed to all Malawians regardless of political affiliation.
Labels: ELECTIONS, JOHN TEMBO, MCP
Read more...
UDF alliance partners back Tembo for president
Nyasa Times 23 April, 2009 01:15:00
Prospective First Lady, Mrs Tembo join UDF women dancing at the rally President of Maravi People’s Party (MPP) Uladi Mussa has endorsed Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and UDF join presidential candidate John Tembo ahead of next month’s general elections.
Mussa whose party has been in working relations with UDF party of former president Bakili Muluzi said other parties in the UDF-alliance have also endorsed Tembo as a Grand Opposition Alliance candidate.
MPP president said Gwanda Chakuamba’s NRP, Kamlepo Kalua’s MDP and MDU of Amundandife Mkumba have unanimously endorsed the candidature of Tembo for May 19 polls.
“We were consulted. There is nothing happening out of our knowledge. The National Chairman [Muluzi} briefed alliance partners and we have agreed,” said Mussa.
He however said the parties will fight on parliamentary race.
“In politics the enemy to your friend is your enemy. We have a common enemy and that is DPP,” he said.
“Hon Tembo and Muluzi are experienced politicians and are very accommodating,” said Mussa.
Tembo’s candidature has received boost after Muluzi who nomination was rejected by electoral body, endorsed him to lead the MCP-UDF alliance.He faces incumbent President Bingu wa Mutharika who seeks a second term in office.
Political analysts have however billed the MCP-UDF alliance as “formidable” to secure Tembo the presidency.
Labels: JOHN TEMBO, UDF
Read more...
Malawi opposition candidate confident of beating Wa Mutharika
Written by Chibaula Silwamba
MALAWI Congress Party (MCP) presidential candidate John Tembo has said former president Bakili Muluzi’s endorsement of his candidature has increased his chances of winning next month’s presidential elections.
In a telephone interview from Malawi on Monday following Muluzi’s withdrawal from the presidential race and subsequent endorsement of his candidacy over the weekend, Tembo said the alliance between Muluzi’s United Democratic Front (UDF) and MCP was a formidable combination that would ensure that he wins the elections and become Malawi’s next president. “This is good because he is endorsing on behalf of the UDF party,” Tembo said.
Asked if Muluzi’s endorsement had increased his chances of winning the elections, Tembo responded: “I had higher chances already, this adds to it. It’s a formidable combination now.”
Tembo dismissed assertions that the coalition was a “marriage of convenience”.
On President Bingu Wa Mutharika’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)’s statement that the formation of a coalition between the two opposition political parties was not a threat to the governing party, Tembo said he did not expect the DPP to speak good about him and his party.
“The DPP is my opponent; how can my opponent comment favourably about me? No! They are not expected to say anything good about me,” said 77-year-old Tembo.
After the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) last month disqualified Muluzi from contesting the presidential election, he opted to form an electoral alliance with Tembo who will be the presidential candidate for the alliance in the May 19, 2009 presidential elections.
Tembo was the top advisor to the late first president of Malawi Dr Hastings Kazumu Banda and served in several ministerial portifolios since independence in 1964 to 1994.
During the 2004 elections, Tembo who was the presidential candidate for the late Banda’s MCP party came second from President Bingu Wa Mutharika who had contested the presidency on the then Republican president Muluzi’s governing UDF party ticket.
President Wa Mutharika differed with Muluzi over the head of state’s anti corruption crusade because the latter was arrested on corruption charges.
Since then, Muluzi and President Wa Mutharika have been bitter rivals, as a result Wa Mutharika resigned from Muluzi’s UDF and formed his own Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Muluzi is still appearing in court on corruption charges.
As presidential candidate for the MCP/UDF presidential candidate, Tembo is expected to be the main opponent of President Wa Mutharika in the May 19 presidential election which is also being contested for by five other candidates including a woman.
Labels: BAKILI MULUZI, JOHN TEMBO, MCP
Read more...
Gwanda backs MCP, UDF alliance
Nyasa Times
16 April, 2009 11:47:00
New Republican Party (NRP) president Gwanda Chakuamba has thrown his political heavyweight to the electoral alliance of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and United Democratic Front (UDF).
Chakuamba said he was the first person to call for MCP leader John Tembo to work together with UDF and former president Bakili Muluzi to form the next government. The veteran politician said he was happy that MCP and UDF have reached an agreement to work together and he said the agenda is not only to remove incumbent from power.
“I am supporting the alliance and will go flat out to campaign for it. I will camp in Lower Shire to sell this ticket and go all over to campaign for the alliance with all my energies,” said Chakuamba.
He said the agenda of the alliance is to “uphold the constitution, restore democracy and enhance good governance.”
“The law has been applied selectively during the rule of the current administration,” said Chakuamba citing suffocation of anti-defection law, Section 65.
He also said failure to call parliament in time and appointing people in public positions without the authority of parliament thereby violating the constitution.
Chakuamba said the Grand Alliance will ensure to develop Malawi and share the development cake equally to all parts of the country.
NRP leader said there were many ills in the country that need to be reversed by change of leadership.
Labels: GWANDA CHAKUAMBA, JOHN TEMBO, MCP, NRP, POLITICS
Read more...
Tembo outlines MCP vision for Malawi
Thom Chiumia
11 April, 2009
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) presidential candidate John Tembo has urged Malawians to to objectively take stock of the political, economic and social development that has taken place over the last fifteen years to vote wisely on 19 May elections.
“We need to assess the gains and losses made and make a firm decision to put in place appropriate leadership and a political party that can provide the necessary political stability and rapid and sustainable economic and social development aspired by all Malawians,” Tembo says in an introduction to MCP electoral manifesto.
He says Malawi and its citizens have gone through various experiences during the last fifteen years which include problems of food security, problems of individual and personal security, unstable interest and exchange rates and economic mismanagement,corruption, rampant disregard of the rule of law, including constitutional provisions.
Tembo who political analysts favouring him to be front –runner in the polls after entering in coalition talks with former president Bakili Muluzi and his UDF party says although there were some gains on the economic front at the macro level, the benefits of the gains were felt by only a few.
“ On the basis of the experience of the last fifteen years, we believe that Malawians are eager to have a government that will not only guarantee them food security and proper fiscal, monetary and financial management, but a political party and Government whose priority is to develop a sense of patriotism, and acceptance of the principles of democracy in which the differences of opinion and the principle of separation of powers are cherished and the importance of the rule of law acknowledged in practice,” says the prospective Malawi President.
He assures that his MCP party stands ready to contest in the May election and to meet these expectations of Malawians.
“MCP wishes to remind Malawians that, as the country searches for prosperity and new opportunities for its people, let us all remember with pride that it is the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) that fought both colonialism and imperialism, defeated the federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland and brought independence, economic progress and human dignity to the people of Malawi.
“It is against this background that the MCP stands ready to contest in the 2009 elections as it has a lot to offer in the areas in which Malawians have found hardships in the last fifteen years,” says Tembo.
On the electoral manifesto, he says it lays down the political philosophy and the broad policy framework upon which the MCP administration, once elected, will concretize its broad vision of reconciliation, reconstruction and development of Malawi, in particular, poverty reduction and national development.
He says the manifesto is intended, once the MCP is elected into power, to reverse the declining trend in socio-economic development by laying a sustainable economy and state infrastructure that grows and provides jobs and makes life better for all Malawians, regardless of their political, ethnic and religious affiliation.
“This will be achieved by, among other things, reducing government over-expenditure and economic mismanagement, initiating projects and programs aimed at growth and development, correcting imbalances in resource distribution, eliminating inequalities prevalent in the society, reducing corruption at all levels, supporting and subsidizing production instead of consumption, empowering all Malawians to take part in the development process, creating a feeling and the spirit of loyalty, patriotism and pride to be aMalawian,” says the veteran politician also known by his initials, JZU.
Tembo who once served as Governor of the Reserve Bank of Malawi says Malawi today is worse off in governance and corruption than it was fifteen years ago but acknowledges that the country is now able to produce enough food.
“Although [Malawi] is able to produce enough food to feed itself, there is gross mismanagement of the quantities produced and the marketing for the interest of the people of this country, and there is high level of political intolerance that is inconsistent with the spirit behind democracy and multiparty politics,” he says.
Tembo notes: “The Poverty Alleviation Program which was designed to uplift the living standards of the majority of Malawians has turned into an instrument of political patronage.”
“Corruption is rampant and there is a high rate of crime in the country. The country’s infrastructure is in a state of disrepair, the value of the once strong Malawi Kwacha has deteriorated seriously, and there is a very high rate of unemployment.”
On education, the presidential hopeful says Malawi’s education quality which was the envy of its neighbours has declined so drastically at all levels that nobody is now proud of it.
“The credibility of the MCE examinations has become questionable because of corruption among those responsible for the printing and distribution of examination papers. There are chronic shortages of essential drugs in public hospitals in addition to serious congestion and poor state of the facilities. The list of the ills is endless,” says Tembo urging Malawians is to vote wisely during the forthcoming Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.
He says failure to use their votes wisely will give another mandate to President Bingu wa Mutharika’s DPP chance to rule the country to sanctify corruption, nepotism and discrimination, hunger amid plenty, crime, drug shortages, economic mismanagement through corruption and substandard implementation of projects and unemployment.
JZU says MCP having been in government before, is well experienced, well geared and determined to bring genuine socio-economic development to the country under the new multiparty dispensation.
“MCP pledges that its primary task, once elected into power during May 2009 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections, will be to reconcile all the diverse political, economic and social forces to work for the common good of the country,” Tembo says, adding “It also pledges a politically stable, economically prosperous, socially healthy and technologically competitive economy.”
The MCP administration further pledges that it will be committed to the propagation of a vibrant democratic Malawi nation by nurturing the development of a robust democratic culture, by fostering the enjoyment of human rights and democratic freedoms through the full consolidation and institutionalization of democratic traditions, that provides a catalyst for peace, stability, unity and progress.
“The MCP is committed to take Malawi out of its political, economic, cultural and social mess,” pledges Tembo.
He asks for Malawians to vote for MCP in order to concretize its vision for the country into reality.
“Once the MCP is granted the mandate, it will take Malawi on a course of rapid recovery in the social and economic spheres and will consolidate the gains in the cultural and political fields.
“The MCP once again wants to assure all Malawians that it is equipped with the necessary sound insights, strategies and policies to make Malawi a better nation once again. The appeal, therefore, is that all Malawians should rise and restore the pride of the nation. Let us, as voters, not lose the chance this time,” says Tembo.
He reminds that on 14th June 1993, Malawians under MCP rule decided to transform the system of Government from one party state to a multiparty and that since then three elections have been held, in 1994, 1999 and 2004 during which the people of Malawi voted the UDF party into office.
“The 2004 election results were controversial in that there were concerns about rigging. The Malawi Congress Party was the main aggrieved party but the court process could not be pursued on technical grounds relating to the constitutional time period within which complaints should be filed.
“However, the President elected under the UDF banner during these rigged elections, defected to form his own Party, The DPP. This development resulted into a number of situations in the country, including the defection of Members of Parliament from their political parties to join the DPP, the party that became a ruling party outside the General Election Process,” says Tembo.
He says the defections were in contravention of Section 65 of the Constitution.
Labels: ELECTIONS, JOHN TEMBO, MCP
Read more...
