Paladin, Paladin, Far, Far From Home

The big news in Malawi this week is that Paladin Africa (a subsidiary of Australian energy firm Paladin Energy) has inaugurated a 220-million-dollar uranium mine in the north of the country. Agence France-Presse reports that the Malawi government has signed a 10-year development agreement with Paladin, who will own an 85% stake in the mine.

From the above-linked article:

"The mine will generate over 150 million (US) dollars (115 million euros) in export earnings per year," John Borshoff, managing director of Paladin Africa, said at a ribbon-cutting ceremony broadcast live on state radio.

"Ribbon-cutting ceremony" is an interesting turn of phrase. It's being broadcast on TVM right now, and it's certainly one of the liveliest ribbon-cutting ceremonies I've seen. President Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika is dressed head to toe in the trademark blue of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). His powder-blue jacket (and matching cowboy hat) are emblazoned with the DPP insignia, as are his campaign vehicles.

During the actual cutting of the ribbon, an azungu gentleman - presumably Paladin's John Borshoff - gave a short speech praising Dr. Mutharika's administration for its commitment to development. He then turned the stage over to the president himself, who launched into a long campaign speech in Chichewa, enumerating his many accomplishments and shouting "DPP, woye!" at regular intervals. At one point, he turned to the smiling Paladin representative, telling him, "I am saying that I have fulfilled all the promises that I made in 2003." Later, he told the crowd that the opposition leaders were "wolves" and encouraged them to vote only for DPP candidates.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony? Maybe so, but first and foremost, this is unmistakeably a campaign rally.

Does it strike anyone else as irresponsible for the managing director of a multinational corporation to attend the campaign rally of a foreign head of state, as an honored guest? Could his speech not be seen as "stumping" for Dr. Mutharika? What if you knew that Dr. Mutharika had brushed aside strong opposition from environmental, social justice, and local community groups to ensure that the mine would be built?

Malawi's elections are set to be held on the 19th of May.