US embassy cable - 04LILONGWE270

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Identifier:	04LILONGWE270
Wikileaks:	View 04LILONGWE270 at Wikileaks.org
Origin:	Embassy Lilongwe
Created:	2004-03-30 13:57:00
Classification:	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Tags:	PGOV KDEM EFIN PINR MI Political
Redacted:	This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000270 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, KDEM, EFIN, PINR, MI, Political 
SUBJECT: CABINET GROWS YET AGAIN IN PATRONAGE PAY-OFF 
 
 
1. (U) New Congress for Democracy (NCD) president Hetherwick 
Ntaba has been appointed Minister of the new Ministry of 
Energy and Mining, the Office of President and Cabinet 
announced on March 29.  Ntaba, who formed NCD after being 
dismissed from the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) National 
Executive Committee for sympathizing with the ruling United 
Democratic Front (UDF), announced on March 26 that his party 
has joined the "government of national unity" and will 
contest the May presidential elections with the UDF/Alliance 
for Democracy (AFORD) coalition. 
 
COMMENT 
------- 
2. (SBU) The creation of the new ministry brings the number 
in cabinet-level positions to 46.  In addition to the 
serendipitous creation of the new ministry just after Ntaba's 
announcement of support, the fact that there are fewer than 
3,000 people employed in the formal mining sector in Malawi 
demonstrates that the new position was created for purposes 
of political patronage. 
 
3. (SBU) Although Ntaba does not command a large following, 
he does have some support in the Central Region.  With his 
inclusion, President Muluzi has successfully garnered support 
for his hand-picked successor Bingu wa Mutharika from 
regional political figures in all three regions. 
BROWNING