Former president Lazarus Chakwera yesterday held his first public engagement since losing the September 16 General Election, announcing that he has accepted a Commonwealth appointment to help mediate Tanzania’s post-election unrest.
Malawi’s northern neighbour is reeling from political tensions and deadly violence following that country’s disputed October 29 elections controversially won by President Samia Hassan Suluhu.
Addressing the press at Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Headquarters in Lilongwe, the MCP leader said his appointment as Commonwealth’s Special Envoy to Tanzania was formally communicated in a letter from Commonwealth Secretary General Shirley Botchwey dated November 11.
He said he accepted the assignment after consulting President Peter Mutharika, who was “gracious enough to give me his full blessing to take on the assignment.”
Said Chakwera: “I received a letter from the Secretary General asking me to travel to the United Republic of Tanzania on a mission to foster peace as her Special Envoy.
“She believes I can make a contribution to safeguarding Tanzania’s democracy, human rights and peace.”
A Commonwealth communication confirmed that Chakwera will undertake a four-day mission from November 18 to 21 to meet government officials, political parties, civil society, religious and traditional leaders and other stakeholders as part of efforts to initiate national dialogue on reconciliation and development.
Botchwey said in the communication that Chakwera’s “experience and leadership will be important in supporting constructive dialogue”.
The former president, an ordained pastor, urged Malawians to support the mission with prayers, saying the success of such assignments “depends on the grace of God and the goodwill of all who love peace”.
He pointed to Malawi’s recent peaceful political transitions as evidence of growing democratic maturity.
Observed Chakwera: “Only 44 days ago the people witnessed a peaceful transfer of power. Only 19 days ago a new Speaker was elected peacefully. And only 17 days ago Parliament opened and continues to deliberate peacefully.”
Turning to internal MCP affairs, Chakwera urged members to avoid infighting and rebuild trust.
“Before we can rebuild our party’s trust with the people of Malawi, we must rebuild trust among ourselves. We must resist the temptation to tear each other apart with careless attacks,” he said.
The MCP leader added that the pain of the election loss must be channelled into renewal, not bitterness.
“Even though we are in pain, we will not use that pain as a licence to destroy others. We will use our pain to unite, reflect and serve Malawians humbly and selflessly,” he stated.
Despite constitutional limits that bar him from seeking another term as MCP president, Chakwera said he remains committed to leading the party until Malawians “from Nsanje to Chitipa will, in time, once again trust our party to govern”.
In an interview, MCP spokesperson Jessie Kabwila described Chakwera’s appointment as “a responsibility that honours Malawi’s democratic journey”, adding that the moment should strengthen the party rather than divide it.
Meanwhile, governance analyst Moses Mkandawire of the CCAP Livingstonia Synod’s Church and Society commended the Commonwealth’s choice, saying it reflects long-standing regional confidence in Malawi’s democratic record.
“His appointment signals confidence in our country’s experience in democratic leadership and conflict management,” he said.
On Chakwera’s call for unity, Mkandawire said this could help MCP rebuild public trust, broaden participation, strengthen conflict resolution mechanisms and reconnect with grassroots structures.
In a separate interview, political analyst Ernest Thindwa said the appointment reflects how the international community views Malawi’s democratic transition.
Efforts to get comment from government proved unsuccessful as spokesperson Shadric Namalomba was yet to respond at press time.
Chakwera has largely been silent since his September 24 televised address in which he conceded losing the presidency to Mutharika.
