United Democratic Front (UDF) president Atupele Muluzi has quit active politics.

In a letter announcing his decision addressed to the party’s secretary general Kandi Padambo dated May 28 2022, Muluzi said he is “going into business for the development and progress of Malawi”.

Muluzi: I am grateful for the support

Reads the letter in part: “In view of this decision and pursuant with the party constitution, I appoint Honourable Lillian Estella Patel, party vice-president Eastern Region to lead the party as acting president until the next national convention where my successor will be elected.

“I am truly grateful to the entire UDF family for the amazing confidence and support given to me over the 18 years I have served in politics.”

However, attempts to seek his fresh comment on the matter before we went to print at 9pm proved futile as our calls to his mobile phone number went unanswered despite several attempts.

But Padambo confirmed the news, saying he discussed the matter with Muluzi earlier in the day on Saturday.

“Yes, I can confirm that the letter is authentic. I met and discussed with him. He is of the view that he should help in developing the country by pursuing other avenues other than active politics,” he said.

UDF treasurer general Ned Phoya, who is also the party’s leader in the House, confirmed that Muluzi has quit active politics.

“What I know is that he wants to concentrate on his businesses. As a party, we do not have more information than the one on the statement.”

Commenting on the issue, University of Malawi political analyst Mustapha Hussein described the news of Muluzi’s resignation as a sad development.

He said: “That is his choice. He is entitled to what he wants. However, this is a great loss to the nation. Honourable Muluzi has great potential. He is young and had a future in politics. At his age, he has accumulated vast experience and benefitted a lot from mentorship from his father [Bakili Muluzi] who once served the country as president.

“Many people are reluctant to join active politics, but Honourable Muluzi sacrificed himself to serve the country in many portfolios. His contribution will be greatly missed. We hope in future he might come back into active politics.”

In his remarks, CCAP Livingstonia Synod Church and Society executive director Moses Mkandawire wondered why Muluzi chose his successor.

“UDF is repeating the mistake they made in 2003 when Bakili Muluzi just handpicked Bingu wa Mutharika as the party’s presidential candidate.

“That is not good for democracy where the majority have to rule. I have not seen UDF constitution, but I wonder if it allows that.”

He said Muluzi should have allowed the party’s convention to choose his successor.

Muluzi paired Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) president Peter Mutharika during the June 23 2020 court-sanctioned Fresh Presidential Election but lost to incumbent Malawi leader Lazarus Chakwera and Vice-President Saulos Chilima.

Meanwhile, following succession wrangles in DPP, some gurus in the former governing party suggested that Muluzi could pair Mutharika in the 2025 Presidential Election.

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