US embassy cable - 04LILONGWE719

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LILONGWE 000719 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/29/2014 
TAGS: PGOV, KDEM, EFIN, PINR, MI, President, Political 
SUBJECT: SPARKS OF INDEPENDENCE FROM THE COULD-BE REFORM 
PRESIDENT 
 
REF: LILONGWE 652 
 
Classified By: Pol/Econ Officer Peter W. Lord, reasons 1.5 (b/d). 
 
SUMMARY 
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1. (C) Mere days after former President Muluzi left on his 
annual (government-funded) ex-presidential vacation, 
President Bingu wa Mutharika replaced several key government 
officials.  He appointed a new Commander of the Army 
(reftel), a new Director of Public Prosecutions, and a new 
Chief of Staff.  In addition, he divided the Secretary to the 
Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) into two separate 
positions: a secretary to OPC and a head of the civil 
service.  Appointing professionals and personal loyalists, 
Mutharika demonstrated a sudden display of independence from 
the former President, albeit in Muluzi's absence from the 
country, that has come much to the consternation of the 
United Democratic Front's (UDF) old guard.  With the ruling 
UDF's working majority in Parliament a result of Muluzi's 
dealings, Mutharika is gambling on the notion that people 
want reform so badly that opposition parties will support his 
initiatives.  END SUMMARY. 
 
NEWLY FOUND INDEPENDENCE? 
------------------------- 
2. (C) Within days after former President Muluzi departed on 
his annual (government-funded) ex-presidential vacation, 
President Bingu wa Mutharika replaced key government 
officials loyal to Muluzi and the ruling United Democratic 
Front (UDF) with professionals and Mutharika loyalists. 
Muluzi is expected to return to Malawi in mid-August. 
 
DPP TO PROSECUTE FOR CORRUPTION 
------------------------------- 
3. (C) The largely ineffectual (and often counterproductive) 
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Fahad Assani was 
controversially replaced with Ishmael Wadi, an unknown, 
seemingly idealistic lawyer with little experience.  In a 
July 28 meeting with poloff, Wadi forthrightly outlined 
several corruption cases involving former and current 
ministers (including the Vice President) and declared his 
intention to take their cases to court.  Clearly versed in 
the outstanding cases in his office and the authorities of 
his position, Wadi said he planned to maintain the 
independence of the DPP and indiscriminately try cases based 
on the facts. 
 
4. (C) Talking about the political pressure on his position, 
Wadi said he would rather resign than compromise on a case 
and that he plans to use the media to expose anyone trying to 
pressure him.  Wadi also said he has already assigned three 
new public prosecutors to the Anti-Corruption Bureau, which 
had lost all of its lawyers to political pressure and salary 
payment problems. (NOTE: Wadi has not yet been confirmed by 
the parliamentary committee on Public Appointments.  The 
committee, which was formed on July 27, plans to consider the 
Wadi appointment the week of August 2.  The Malawi Congress 
Party (MCP), the principal opposition party in Parliament, 
has already publicly declared its support for Wadi. END NOTE.) 
 
CHIEF OF STAFF COMMENTS ON FORMER ADMINISTRATION 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
5. (C) On June 30, Mutharika appointed Ken Ng'oma as Chief of 
Staff.  Ng'oma, who was Secretary General of Mutharika's 
pre-UDF political party, has made strong and public 
statements about "gross mismanagement" in the Muluzi 
administration.  In a July 28 meeting with poloff, Ng'oma 
said that weeding out corruption is one of his major 
priorities and that he plans to deal with perpetrators 
regardless of their status in the party.  Ng'oma dismissed 
the idea that Mutharika's newly found independence would 
subside with Muluzi's return.  He intimated that Mutharika 
will be making further "big changes" and that we should 
"expect fireworks" upon Muluzi's return.  Discussing the 
growing displeasure of the UDF's old guard, Ng'oma simply 
commented that they were wrong to think that they could 
control Mutharika because Mutharika is "a man of principle." 
 
COMMENT 
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6. (C) Mutharika's show of independence began when Muluzi 
left the country, and the strong reform statements of his 
prima facie free-thinking appointees have yet to be 
translated into action.  Without such action, Mutharika has a 
long way to go to establish himself as the reform President 
he advertises himself to be. 
 
7. (C) COMMENT CONTINUED. However, if the Mutharika 
administration does try to implement its proposed reforms, it 
may find itself without the necessary political support, 
having isolated many UDF parliamentarians and heavy-weights. 
The gamble that Mutharika makes is that opposition and civil 
society groups will politically support him if he brings 
about genuine change and that he does not truly need the 
support of his own party.  END COMMENT. 
RASPOLIC