London Uni to hold conference on Malawi elections

The Royal African Society and London School of Economic (LSE) have organised a conference on Malawi elections to be held Wednesday 6 May at LSE from 18:00.

According to organisers, the debate dubbed "Malawi at the crossroads: The last great battle of the Kamuzu era giants?" will be held in Room H102, Connaught House, London School of Economics, Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE.

Speakers will include LSE media and communications lecture, Dr Linje Manyozo, Bernabé Sánchez from World Banda and  Chifundo Kachale from School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London (School of Law).

Malawi goes to the polls on May 19th in a crucial election that will either return current president, Bingu wa Mutharika, or replace him with veteran John Tembo, once the political henchman of Ngwazi Hastings Kamuzu Banda.

The conference will debate that if Tembo wins, will Mutharika secure a parliamentary majority? And if Tembo wins will his coalition, which includes former president Bakili Muluzi, hold together?

Organizers say the politics "are bitter and highly personal" but there is also a real choice for voters.

"Is the election about the economy where Mutharika can claim some success, or is it about the political system where the opposition champions democratic process and the constitution?" the speakers will address the issues in their talk.

nyasa times