Analysts Urge Mutharika to Fire Mussa, Describes Mussa Ban as a Signal

Government Experts and social commentators have described as a signal from the United States Government regarding efforts to fight corruption in Malawi for their decision to Uladi Basikolo Mussa and his immediate family from entering the US for his alleged involvement in “significant corruption”.

Mussa who has been recently appointed by President Peter Mutharika as the presidential advisor on parliamentary affairs, who is also Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) vice president for the central region is accused of being involved in significant corruption when he served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Joyce Banda Administration. The matter is in court.

In his remarks, governance commentator, Makhumbo Munthali said it will give a bad reflection if Mutharika keeps Mussa on his panel of advisors.

“If Mutharika keeps Mussa on the position it would reflect badly on his leadership as someone who condones corruption,”

He further said that it would be of good will if Mussa pave way for the completion of the matter.

“It would be in the best interest of justice and donor relations that Mussa stepped aside to pave way for the completion of the case,” Munthali said.

He further advised Mussa not to wait for Mutharika to take such decision citing that he should be proactive by resigning.

“In fact Mussa should not wait for Mutharika to effect such decision but he should be proactive by resigning. But if he doesn’t step aside on his own to allow court proceedings vindicate him, then Mutharika has the obligation to remove him from the position until the case is closed,” said Munthali.

Another political government analyst Henry Chingaipe said the ban does not reflect well on Malawi.

According to Chingaipe this is the first time this is happening to Malawi, adding that it is showing that the country is not doing well in fighting against corruption.

In a statement dated July 3, 2019, the US embassy, the decision is in line with section 7031 (c) of the department of state of foreign Operations, and Related Programs Act of 2019.

In that section it states that, in case where the Secretary of State has credible information that foreign officials have been involved in significant corruption or gross violations of human rights, those individual and their immediate family members are ineligible for entry into the US.