Salim Bagus From 3 – 10 September the International Academy for Leadership (IAF) held its 2011 course on Political Leadership in Gummersbach. 22 Political leaders from all around the world gathered to discuss challenges and tools of modern political leadership – among them 7 parliamentarians. One of them was Salim Bagus, a leading politician of Malawi’s oppositionary People’s Party and the international officer of the Forum for Democratic Devolution.
Shortly after his return from the IAF Leadership course, Malawi’s Information Minister Patricia Kaliati accused Salim Bagus in a nationwide TV broadcast of receiving funds for anti-government activities from the German government during his stay at the IAF. Then on 16th September, Salim’s house in Malawi’s capital Lilongwe suddenly went up in flames and burnt to the ground. Quickly, this incident was determined to be an arson attack carried out with a petrol bomb. This incident seems to be in line with similar arson attacks targeted at prominent opponents of Malawi’s current president. Salim Bagus is convinced that there is a political motive behind this case, especially since he received anonymous phone calls after the arson attack. “Now I am getting anonymous calls that the money I collected from Germany I will enjoy it in the grave” – Salim informed the Academy.
Salim strongly denies all charges put forward against him by government officials. On the contrary: instead of raising funds he paid the regular participation fee to attend this training course for political leaders.
Articles in the news:
- "Opposition politician Bagus house gutted in arson attack"
Nyasa Times, 19.09.2011 - "People’s Party reacts angrily to Bagus’ house torching"
Nyasa Times, 19.09.2011
During the seminar in Gummersbach
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