Twelve presidential candidates yesterday took time off their campaign trail to sign a Public Affairs Committee (PAC)-championed Peace Declaration ahead of next Tuesday’s general election.
But conspicuously missing was immediate-past president Arthur Peter Mutharika, a presidential candidate on Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) ticket , as well as Vice-President Michael Usi of Odya Zake Alibe Mlandu Party.
In attendance at the ceremony held at Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe were incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera representing Malawi Congress Party (MCP), former president and People’s Party (PP) candidate Joyce Banda, UTM Party torchbearer Dalitso Kabambe and Atupele Muluzi of the United Democratic Front (UDF).
Others were Kamuzu Chibambo of the People’s Transformation Party (Petra), Akwame Bandawe of Anyamata, Atsikana, Azimai Party, Jordan Sauti of Patriotic Citizen Party as well as independents Phunziro Mvula, Thokozani Banda, Smart Swira, Milward Tobias and Adil Chilungo.
Apart from Mutharika and Usi, others who shunned the gathering include Kondwani Nankhumwa of People’s Development Party, Frank Tumpale Mwenifumbo of National Development Party and independent Cosmas Chipojola. Mwenifumbo was involved in a road accident in Karonga on Sunday and, according to a statement from his party, he was in a stable condition.
Meanwhile, civil society and women’s rights voices have described the absence of the five as a “missed opportunity” to show commitment to national unity.
In his address, PAC chairperson Monsignor Patrick Thawale set the tone by reminding presidential hopefuls that their presence was both symbolic and historic.
“We are all one irrespective of party affiliation. Today you are special to us, and the decision you made to be with us is a blessing on its own. You are on the right side of history,” he said.
Thawale also explained the rationale behind the declaration, saying a peace declaration is a goodwill document that provides a basis for dialogue and mediation.
He said: “Elections themselves do not cause violence; it is the triggers in the process. This event serves to pray for Malawi to hold peaceful elections on 16th September; to explain the intention and background of the Peace Declaration; and to secure your commitment to peaceful settlement of disputes through signing of the declaration.”
In a solidarity message, Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja described the peace pledge as a moral covenant before God and the Malawian people.
She said elections must not be a season of hatred, intimidation or hate speech, but a moment for citizens to freely choose their leaders.
“Leadership gained through violence or intimidation cannot stand. Only leadership borne of the ballot, freely cast and transparently counted can command legitimacy,” said Mtalimanja, a judge of the High Court of Malawi.
Weighing in, United Nations Resident Coordinator Rebecca Adda- Dontoh also underscored the importance of peace, urging leaders, the media and citizens to embrace tolerance.
In an interview after the ceremony, Atupele, who is making a third attempt at the presidency, said the declaration was both a civic and spiritual commitment.
“We are going to elections and we believe that democracy should be about peace, free, fair and transparent elections. As leaders we demonstrate our commitment to God and also to country,” he said.
On his part, Kabambe, while welcoming the declaration, decried incidents of violence his supporters have recently faced, saying: “Already we have suffered attacks. In Kasiya, one of our governors was assaulted and hospitalised, and just yesterday one of our female supporters was undressed during a rally.
“Those are the episodes we don’t want. We may belong to different parties, but we are one Malawi. Elections must be peaceful, free and fair.”
Kabambe’s concerns highlight a recurring paradox that while leaders sign declarations pledging non-violence, incidents of intimidation and harassment often persist at local level and that the gap between high-level commitments and grassroots realities remains one of the thorniest challenges in consolidating Malawi’s democracy.
Meanwhile, Civil Society Elections Integrity Forum board member Robert Mkwezalamba has hailed the event as a powerful session that was encouraging, motivating and empowering.
In a separate interview, NGO-Gender Coordinating Network chairperson Maggie Kathewera Banda said the event was commendable, noting that both the incumbent and a former president were present.
She said: “It is one thing to commit yourself and another to live what you have signed. What remains is implementation. We will be watching to see if each candidate demonstrates that they believe in peace.”
