Churches walk for violence-free elections
Faith leaders, the civil society organisations (CSOs), politicians and civilians held a peaceful solidarity march in Balaka on Thursday violence-free elections.
The march drew participants from Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), United Democratic Front (UDF), UTM, People’s Party (PP) and traditional leaders from Lilongwe, Machinga and Balaka.
The Centre for Social Concern (CfSC) organised the march with assistance from a German organisation called Miserior (Mercy).
CfSC is a social arm of the Roman Catholic Church and is working with various faith groups in promoting inter-religious and political contact and dialogue in resolving issues such as electoral misunderstandings.
Catholic bishop Montfort Stima of the Mangochi Diocese emphasised on the need for politicians to give citizens freedom to choose who they want to lead them beyond May 21 2019 without violence.
“Let people determine their future. We must be heralds of hope, warriors for peace and rebels resisting any war cry! We bear in our hands the future of our lives and that of our children,” he said.
The bishop said the MoU signed by representatives of the parties will provide a guiding tool for players to exercise caution in their statements to ensure that their utterances do not flare tempers of the people during the whole campaign period and the polling day.
“This MoU is important knowing, that our country is peaceful. We know very well that general elections can flare up tempers of the people. So, we need to sit down with sober minds and remind people that whatever the case, when people are competing, one wins and the other loses. And the one who loses must encourage supporters to be calm and accept the results,” he added.
Alhaj Twaibu Lawe challenged religious leaders across the country to advance the resolving of political impasse among contesting parties.
Lawe also implored with the clergy to desist from endorsing some candidates ahead of the polls.
CfSC inter-religious dialogue programme officer Tobias Jere asked representatives of political parties to stick to issue-based campaigns. n
