US embassy cable - 05LILONGWE333

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000333 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, KDEM, MI, Democratic Progressive Party, Political, President 
SUBJECT: MUTHARIKA LAUNCHES NEW PARTY 
 
REF: A) Lilongwe 117  B) Lilongwe 152 
 
1. Summary: President Mutharika has launched his new party, 
the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).  The party platform 
is essentially the same as that of his government, stressing 
development, anti-corruption, and law and order. End 
summary. 
 
2. In a raucous and colorful four-hour rally in Lilongwe on 
April 14, President Mutharika launched his long awaited new 
party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).  Mutharika 
registered the party in mid-March, some five weeks after he 
resigned from the United Democratic Front (UDF), the party 
that brought him to power (reftels). 
 
3. The DPP logo features four ears of corn, symbolic of the 
four regions of Malawi, and evoking the concept of food 
security.  Also included are the words "Development, 
Justice, Security". 
 
4. In his speech to the 1,500-strong crowd, the President 
emphasized the development agenda of the party.  Observing 
that the country "stands at the gateway of development" 
Mutharika pledged that "Malawi will be transformed" under 
his leadership, "as fast as possible."  He promised the 
cheering crowd that "as long as Bingu is your president, 
forward is where we are going." 
 
5. Mutharika reiterated his longstanding anti-corruption 
policy, and introduced law and order as a new priority for 
his government.  Tying security to economic development, the 
president argued that Malawians cannot build successful 
businesses and grow the economy if rampant crime continues 
unabated.  He promised to protect investors and increase 
police patrols. 
 
6. The rally was officially billed as a "press conference", 
and journalists present were permitted to ask a few 
questions at the end.  The atmosphere was hardly conducive 
to tough questions, however.  Organizers placed the 
reporters in the midst of the massive crowd, where they were 
surrounded by aggressive DPP supporters.  Journalists will 
no doubt see this a further attempt to intimidate the media. 
One reporter who had the temerity to ask about the recent 
arrest of two journalists received a forceful rebuttal from 
the president (see report septel). 
 
7. Making an effort to break with the longstanding Malawian 
tradition of mixing party and government business, the event 
was held at a rented suburban house that serves as the new 
DPP headquarters.  Compared with most presidential events, 
the occasion was less formal and lacked the usual large 
motorcade with sirens wailing, military band and other 
ceremonial formalities. 
 
8. Comment: Mutharika's stated rationale for forming the DPP 
is that he must capture the political momentum following his 
resignation from the UDF and build a base in parliament. 
Interestingly, parliamentarians, including some cabinet 
members, are not rushing to join the party.  Many reformists 
and opportunists of all stripes appear to be content for now 
with the contingent, issue-oriented political alignments 
that have obtained since the UDF split last year.  To the 
extent that this arrangement has coincided with nearly a 
year of responsible policies, the DPP's weakness may be a 
good thing.  Malawians will be looking for signs that the 
DPP intends to behave differently than other parties, 
although feeling is widespread that this party will be no 
different than its predecessors.  The media, NGOs, and the 
public will be watching closely to see if the DPP abuses 
government resources in the way that became routine under 
the UDF. 
 
9. Mutharika and his supporters hope that a strong DPP will 
serve to overshadow former president Muluzi and the UDF, who 
are still a thorn in the president's side.  Malawians are 
keen to see the Mutharika-Mulizi dispute put to rest.  The 
longer Mutharika remains mired in a political struggle with 
Mulizi, the more his reform program is likely to suffer, and 
reform is the issue that most Malawians truly care about. 
GILMOUR