Ibrahim Matola is a Malawian politician (born 2 March 1972), who is currently serving as the Minister of Energy in the Office and Cabinet of Malawi. Matola previously served as the chairman of the southern region water board after being appointed by the President.

National assembly

As the leader of the UDF in the National Assembly, Matola has criticized the government for ignoring the concerns of the minority parties. Though the UDF was the governing party from 1994 to 2004, it currently the second largest opposition party with only fifteen out of the one hundred ninety four seats in the National Assembly. He has expressed concern that Malawi is returning to a one–party system. He has been vocally critical of the leadership of the majority

Democratic Progressive Party The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is a centre to centre-left Taiwanese nationalist political party in Taiwan. As the dominant party in the Pan-Green Coalition, one of the two main political camps in Taiwan, the DPP is currently the ...

, accusing them of "raping the country". During some particularly contentious debates, such as the debate regarding whether to change the

Flag of Malawi The flag of Malawi ( Chichewa: ''mbendera ya Malaŵi'') was officially adopted on 6 July 1964 when the colony of Nyasaland became independent from British rule and renamed itself Malawi. Design The first flag of independent Malawi was adopted ...

, Matola has participated in

walkout In labor disputes, a walkout is a labor strike, the act of employees collectively leaving the workplace and withholding labor as an act of protest. A walkout can also mean the act of leaving a place of work, school, a meeting, a company, or an ...

s of minority party members. During debates in the National Assembly he has clashed with George Chaponda. Matola has criticized Chaponda's record while serving with the UDP. He has traveled to the

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in Brussels and to the

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for the International Parliamentary Seminar.

Political positions

Matola has advocated for the rights of farmers in Malawi. He has also raised concerns that

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in Malawi is being threatened. Matola has repeatedly clashed with the national chairman of the UDF, Friday Jumbe. He led the UDF legislatures in a vote of no confidence in Jumbe and the election of George Nga Ntafu to replace him. Matola has also criticised the 2011 Local Courts bill, arguing that it would provide too much power to local chiefs and could devolve into a "draconian system".

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Matola, Ibrahim United Democratic Front (Malawi) politicians Living people Members of the National Assembly (Malawi) 1972 births