US embassy cable - 04LILONGWE166

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000166 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, KDEM, PINR, MI, Malawi Electoral Commission, President 
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES DECLARED; OPPOSITION BADLY 
DIVIDED 
 
REF: A. 03 LILONGWE 1202 
     B. LILONGWE 123 
 
1. (U) Six presidential contenders declared their candidacy 
to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) on February 25 and 
26.  Among them were the United Democratic Front 
(UDF)/Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) coalition's Bingu wa 
Mutharika, four from opposition parties, and one independent. 
 
COMMENT 
------- 
2. (SBU) Vice President (and former UDF heavyweight) Justin 
Malewezi's last minute decision to break away from the 
Mgwirizano Coalition and contest as an independent 
presidential candidate typifies the increasing divisions in 
the opposition (septel).  With five candidates splitting the 
opposition vote, the UDF/AFORD coalition is well positioned 
to win with a plurality, reminiscent of the 2001 Zambian 
elections.  With three months left before polling day, the 
opposition's factionalization makes the UDF/AFORD coalition 
the clear front-runner. 
 
3. (U) Official presidential candidates and running mates as 
declared to the MEC are as follows: 
 
United Democratic Front/Alliance for Democracy 
--------------------------------------------- - 
Presidential Candidate: Bingu wa Mutharika 
Running Mate: Cassim Chilumpha 
(Note: Several minor parties, including the Congress for 
National Unity, Malawi Democratic Union, and New Dawn for 
Africa, have reportedly announced their support for the 
UDF/AFORD coalition.) 
 
Mgwirizano Coalition 
-------------------- 
Presidential Candidate: Gwanda Chakuamba 
Running Mate: Aleke Banda 
(Note: The Mgwirizano Coalition comprises the Republican 
Party, People's Progressive Movement, Movement for Democratic 
Change, National Unity Party, Malawi Forum for Unity and 
Development, People's Transformation Party, and Malawi 
Democratic Party.) 
 
National Democratic Alliance (NDA) 
---------------------------------- 
Presidential Candidate: Brown James Mpinganjira 
Running Mate: Clara Makungwa 
 
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) 
--------------------------- 
Presidential Candidate: John Zenasi Ungapake Tembo 
Running Mate: Peter Chiwona 
 
New Congress for Democracy (NCD) 
-------------------------------- 
Presidential Candidate: Hetherwick Maurice Ntaba 
Running Mate: Moses John Chikoko 
 
Independent 
----------- 
Presidential Candidate: Justin Chimera Malewezi 
Running Mate: Jimmy Hastings Koreia-Mpatsa 
BROWNING