Tag Archives: Enock Chihana

Politics

Road to 2025: Aford’s Enock Chihana goes solo, rejects alliance

Maravi Post Reporter

By Twink Jones Gadama

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) President, Enock Chihana, has unequivocally dismissed the possibility of allying with other political parties for the upcoming 2025 general elections in Malawi.

This announcement, made during a gathering in Lilongwe, left many perplexed, as AFORD had been a crucial partner within the Tonse Alliance in the court-sanctioned presidential elections of 2020.

Chihana’s decision has sparked intense debates and raised questions about AFORD’s political strategy, as well as its prospects in the ever-evolving Malawian political landscape.

The Rise and Fall of AFORD

AFORD, once a formidable force in Malawian politics, has experienced both triumph and turbulence throughout its history.

Founded in 1992, the party quickly gained popularity, championing the cause of democratic reforms and advocating for the protection of human rights.

However, as the political landscape shifted, AFORD gradually lost its footing, facing internal divisions and leadership turmoil.

AFORD’s Stint in the Tonse Alliance

Following the landmark court-sanctioned presidential elections in 2020, AFORD played a significant role as part of the Tonse Alliance, an amalgamation of political parties that successfully challenged the incumbency.

Led by Lazarus Chakwera, the alliance ushered in a new era of hope and promised transformative change for Malawi.

AFORD’s involvement in the alliance raised expectations and sparked hope for a revival of the once-prominent party.

Chihana Solo Flight

The inexplicable rejection of future alliances by AFORD’s President, Enock Chihana, has not only shocked political pundits but has also left supporters and stakeholders bewildered.

Chihana’s decision to go solo in the 2025 general elections seems to disregard the principles that underpin AFORD’s participation in the Tonse Alliance.

The party, despite its current struggles, could have benefited from the synergy and wider appeal of aligning with other like-minded political entities.

The National Convention and AFORD’s Future

AFORD’s upcoming national convention in March this year presents a critical milestone in the party’s rejuvenation strategy.

Amidst calls for unity and internal restructuring, Chihana must address concerns surrounding his decision to shun future alliances, which may impact AFORD’s credibility and prospects.

The convention serves as an opportune moment for party members to voice their opinions and shape AFORD’s trajectory moving forward.

The Socio-Economic Quagmire

While Chihana’s rejection of alliances has dominated the headlines, AFORD’s President also seized the opportunity to address pressing socio-economic challenges facing Malawi.

Calling on the reigning administration to work closely with various stakeholders, Chihana acknowledged the need for collaborative efforts in finding sustainable solutions.

From rampant corruption and escalating inflation to limited access to healthcare and education, the people of Malawi are yearning for tangible improvements in their daily lives.

Conclusion

AFORD’s President, Enock Chihana, has sent shockwaves through Malawi’s political sphere by dismissing the possibility of future alliances in the 2025 general elections.

This decision has raised questions about the party’s strategic vision and its ability to carve out a distinct path in the ever-changing political landscape.

As AFORD prepares for its national convention in March, the party stands at a crossroads, needing to address internal divisions and reposition itself as a viable contender.

The socio-economic challenges facing Malawi serve as a reminder of the urgency for unity and collaboration among political parties to effect meaningful change for the country and its people.

Law and order, Malawi

FND calls for speedy NOCMA case conclusion as Chakwera is implicated

Maravi Post Reporter

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Forum for National Development (FND) has raised an alarm that the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) corruption case involving Newton Kambala, Enock Chihana and Chris Chaima Banda is being unnecessarily delayed thereby heightening concerns about attempts to shield President Lazarus Chakwera who is implicated in the case.

FND has raised the concern after the court case was adjourned again when it was scheduled to be heard non-stop from the January 17, 2023 where the principal witness former NOCMA boss Helen Buluma was expected to present her damning evidence and to be cross-examined.

Chakwera afraid of Buluma

“We have noted that this case started dragging from the day the name of President Lazarus Chakwera was mentioned in the courts as being instrumental in the alleged corrupt deals. It seems there is an overdrive effort not to have this case concluded,”

FND says the delays are worrisome and are beginning to put a dent into the delivery of justice in Malawi with the aim to protect Chakwera.

“It seems that the justice system chooses and picks which cases to dispose of quickly while other cases continue to drag, prompting many observers, including us, to smell a rat, rotten rat for that matter, reads the statement.

In the last court session, the court ordered that the principal witness, Buluma, be subpoenaed to present evidence without fail effective 17 January, 2023.

“Now to hear that the matter has also been adjourned to unspecified dates it’s worrisome. We are cognizant of the fact that the adjournment might be a routine process and genuine, but the way this case has staggered and followed by corruption allegations spilled by Buluma when she appeared before the Public Accounts Committee, we are suspicious by the recent adjournment,” says the statement.

FND is also accusing the executive branch of government of colluding with the courts to cover up the corruption and sweep under the carpet the damning allegations raised by Buluma during PAC hearing.

It further says the conduct of the Attorney General (AG) Thabo Nyirenda who attempted to undermine Parliament, and members of the Executive including the Secretary to the President and Cabinet (SPC) who are in contempt of Parliament.

“The two events which are interlinked has the President mentioned in the courts and interviewed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) being silent and not wanting to intervene on any members Forum for National Development of his government mentioned. So the said adjournment and further delay by the Judiciary in this matter hitherto the behavior of the Executive and Members of Parliament of Malawi,” the statement said.

FND has demanded that new dates be set for the case within the seven working dates so that there is proper and tangible direction and closure to this case.

“Accused persons have the right to clear their names and courts exist to expedite such processes and not to help in delaying justice. We demand expeditious action and progress in the next seven days failing which we will take a confrontational approach as further delays would be seen as an attempt to shield President Lazarus Chakwera,” the statement emphasizes.

Kambala, Chihana and Chaima Banda were arrested in 2021 over corruption allegations in importation of fuel at NOCMA.

Politics

AFORD’s Chihana nods to federal government adoption

Maravi Post Reporter


By Vincent Gunde

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) President Enock Chihana on Thursday asked people in Chitipa district and the country as a whole to support calls for the adoption of federal system of governance in Malawi in order to ensure that the national cake is equitably distributed.

Chihana’s call for the support has not come on the surprise as many northerners are in abstract poverty.

The region does not stand to be the headquarters but trading centre as no tangible developments have been put in place for it to develop tremendously.

Chihana for Federal System of government

Chihana’s endorsement for a federal government has just come a day after the concerned citizens grouping served President Lazarus Chakwera with a letter dated January 3, 2023 with copies to the Speaker of Parliament and Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), among others.

First to support the calls for a federal government in Malawi was Bon Kalindo during stage acting, who argued that the way individual members in the Tonse Alliance government are abusing public resources.

Kalindo asked the donor community to freeze aid to Malawi for an audit enquiry to find out how billions of Pounds provided to Malawi has failed producing meaningful impact apart from self-enrichment by politicians.

In the letter addressed to President Chakwera, the concerned citizens claimed that since Malawi adopted multiparty democracy, the country has been moving backward in terms of developments which cannot be blamed on people’s failure but the system.

The concerned citizens say Malawians cannot continue to be betrayed by the few greedy politicians who represent their own interest other than those of Malawians that are in pain and suffering for no developments in their districts besides paying taxes to government.

They say the citizens have now started the process of collecting signatures from as many ordinary Malawians home and abroad demanding a referendum for the adoption of the federal system of governance in Malawi.

’’Each Government that came into power since 1994 has been famous for corruption which led to state capture,’’ reads the letter in part.

The concerned citizens in the letter warn the Tonse Alliance government that if the call for adoption of federal government is not yet possible, they shall take radical approach to ensure that progress is made towards a referendum observing that Malawians cannot be blamed for putting wrong people in the driving seat for all the past six governments.

Law and order, Malawi

NOCMA saga: Malawi’s energy minister Kambala, 2 others out on bail

Maneno Chimulala
Newton Kambala

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—The Lilongwe Magistrate Court has granted bail to Minister of Energy, Newton Kambala, AFORD president Enoch Chihana and presidential aide Chris Chaima Banda.

The bail is bonded at K200 000 each. Other conditions include two traceable sureties, surrender to court all travel documents.

Additionally, upon ACB request, the court has said the accused persons should report to ACB head office every fortnight.

Before granting the bail, the Lilongwe Magistrate Court read out five counts against Kambala, first accused person, Chihana, second accused person and Chaima Banda, third accused person.

The three accused all pleaded not guilty to the five counts.

Kambala faces three counts of conspiracy to influence a public officer to abuse their office; misuse of public office and alternative count of attempting to influence a public officer.

Chihana faces two counts of conspiracy to influence abuse of office and attempting to influence a public officer.

Chaima Banda faces two counts of conspirancy to influence a public officer to abuse office and attempting to influence a public officer.

Malawi

Malawi’s Energy Minister Kambala, two others spend another night in police custody

Maneno Chimulala
Newton Kambala in the cooler

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—Minister of Energy, Newton Kambala, Aford President Enoch Chihana and Presidential aide Chris Chaima have spent another night in police custody in Lilongwe.

The three were in a second day running being questioned by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) over their alleged role in processes to do with the awarding of fuel supply contracts at National Oil Company of Malawi (Nocma).

The three are expected to appear in court today Wednesday, August 11, 2021.

Kambala is a senior member of UTM, a Tonse Alliance partner led by the Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima.

On Tuesday, UTM and Aford supporters stormed the ACB offices to provide moral support to their senior officials, a development that startled some Malawians of well frame of mind as to how normal people would rally behind thieves.

However, Frank Mwenifumbo UTM Spokesperson appealed to UTM supporters to keep calm and not flock to ACB offices, saying the Bureau has to exercise its duties without Political interference.

The three were arrested on Monday for their alleged attempt to influence the awarding of fuel contracts at NOCMA.

Politics, Top News

Mwenefumbo calls quits with Chihana

Maravi Post Reporter

By Lusekero Mhango

Member of Parliament (MP) for Karonga Central Frank Mwenifumbo has ended his dispute with Enock Chihana saying he now recognises the Rumphi Central legislator as legitimate president of Alliance for Democracy (AFORD).

Mwenefumbo made the remarks today during a press conference that he held in Lilongwe.

The party was put into turmoil in may this year when the two rivals held separate conventions which elected Mwenefumbo and Chihana

Chihana maintained that the second convention was bogus and he is still the party’s president.

Mwenifumbo later went to court to legitimate his presidency but High Court Judge Charles Mkandawire told the two camps to conduct a fresh convention.

Mkandawire said Aford secretary general Christopher Ritchie brought ineligible delegates to the first convention.

At the press briefing today, Mwenifumbo said he will stop conducting campaign rallies as president of AFORD as he is now an ordinary member.

He added that he will hold talks with Chihana on the future and how they can work together to bring unity to the party.

However to Mwenifumbo, if Chihana decides to call for another convention he also will contest for the position of president.

Politics, Travel & Tourism

AFORD sticks to December 16 convention; disputes division rumors

Maravi Post Reporter

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)- The opposition Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) on Thurdsday instisted that the December convention remains intact.

The assurance comes amid media reports that party national gather was in limbo amid financial challenges and division.

But addressing the new conference in the capital Lilongwe, AFORD Secretary General, Christopher Richi, Vice President-Martha Chimia and Chairperson Guta said the convention was on as preparations were at the advanced stage.

The trio disputed rumors of division in the party saying the political grouping was poised to hold the successful convention come December 16 in the central region.

The party gurus therefore said actual budget for the convention will be announce in the coming weeks while appealing for support.

But two months ago, the party president Enock Chihana, disclosed that the party needs not less than K30 million to hold its convention in December this year.

“Preparations for the indaba are at an advance stage and the date remains the same on December 16, 2017. We are into serious fundraising activities.

“The convention committee will in weeks to come announce the actual money required for the gathering. This is why we are appealing for well-wishers to support us financially towards the meeting,” appeals Richi.

On rumors of division, Aford Vice President Chimia assured that the party was intact as one entity.

Chimia added that the meeting which will be held in the Central Region to show that the is the national inclusive party.

Since Chihana took over the reins of power after the death of his father [Chakufwa], Aford has lost its influence over the years and has increasingly been confined to the Northern Region.

The convention will take about three days, during which various arms of the party would usher into office new leaders.