Ask the Diplomat: Former Malawian President Bakili Muluzi

Hello Diplomat,

I would like to ask if you could do a piece on the very undiplomatic Malawian ex-president Bakili Muluzi who has tried everything in the trick books to stay in power. His latest being running for president in 2009 after failing to get a third term in 2004.

Thanks,

Multi-Cultural Guru, Lilongwe, Malawi

Thanks for your question, Multi-Cultural Guru. I assume the “tricks” you’re referring to are related to his maize scandal which briefly landed him in jail in 2006. According to the BBC, Muluzi was arrested and questioned on corruption and fraud charges stemming from financial transactions during his presidency. Apparently, Muluzi sold his country’s maize reserves to other African countries shortly before Malawi entered a drought and pocketed some of the proceeds while his people starved. And even though his 10-year presidency ended 3 decades of dictatorship, (Banda), the country is in even worse shape with foreign economic aid reaching almost $600 million in 2007.

So it’s sad that the BBC is also now reporting that Muluzi has just won his party’s nomination by a landslide and will be the United Democratic Front’s presidential nominee. However, it’s still up in the air whether or not his third run for president is actually legal. With this many red flags so far, The Diplomat gives Bakili a failing grade.

Mwawi!

Tags: Africa, Bakili Muluzi, Corruption, Malawi, Power