President and predecessor meet to ease political tension

Talks are underway in Malawi aimed at easing tensions between President Bingu wa Mutharika and his predecessor, Bakili Muluzi. Analysts say one of the main reasons for the divisions in the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) party has been Mutharika's tough stance against graft, which has seen six UDF officials arrested on charges of corruption and fraud since he took office in May. They note that the UDF has effectively been split into two camps: one supportive of Mutharika's anti-corruption drive and the other loyal to Muluzi, who retains chairmanship of the party. But the talks, which began last week in the capital, Lilongwe, have reportedly already hit a snag after a demand from Mutharika to co-chair the UDF. UDF deputy publicity secretary Mary Kaphwereza-Banda refuted the claims, saying the talks had started well, but could not elaborate on the issues under discussion. "Once everything is through we will let you know - we will not hide anything. But what you have to know is that the two sides are in serious discussions," she told IRIN. However, one observer commented that Mutharika's request to co-chair the party would not work, and could possibly heighten tensions among ruling party members. "In fact, the two [Mutharika and Muluzi] could not co-chair the party - this will create more problems within the party. If anything, I would suggest that the party should call for a convention for new executive members to be elected and let them choose who should lead them," said Rafiq Hajat, executive director of the Institute for Policy Interaction. Boniface Dulani, a political science lecturer at the University of Malawi, said that while Mutharika's campaign against high-level graft had seriously irked senior UDF stalwarts, who have allegedly accused him of "biting the hand that feeds him", the battle in the UDF was about control of the party. "Muluzi's grip on the UDF has essentially diluted Mutharika's power and the new president is well aware of this. It is no secret that Muluzi commands great loyalty from the old guard and Mutharika is still battling to win support," Dulani said. He warned that the UDF would continue to fracture unless the two leaders "seriously" negotiated a deal outlining their specific roles in the party. The gravity of the ongoing political wrangle was exposed last week when UDF national executive member Dumbo Lemani claimed that a member of his party had rigged the 20 May presidential election in favour of Mutharika. Vice president Cassim Chilumpha dismissed the allegations, saying the president was legally and constitutionally elected. But analysts say Lemani's claims were an embarrassment to the party, especially when the election results are being challenged in court by the opposition. Mutharika and Muluzi have agreed to continue meeting until the issue is resolved.