Clergy sign MoU for peaceful elections
The clergy have urged politicians to commit to peaceful coexistence for free, fair and credible May 21 2019 Tripartite Elections.
Speaking on Friday in Balaka during the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), facilitated by Centre for Social Concern (CfSC) through a German-based Misereor-funded Interreligious Leaders’ Dialogue Project, Bishop Montfort Stima of Mangochi Diocese of the Catholic Church said leaders should yearn for peace by helping avert all forms of conflict.
“The thirsting for power at any cost leads to abuses and injustice among rival supporters and it often results in unleashing of violence and intimidation,” he said.
Stima said politics should be a service to society and not a means of oppression, marginalisation and destruction.
On his part, Muslim Association of Malawi secretary general Alhaji Tayib Lawe said democratic politics cannot be divorced from religion because religion enriches public life.
“Religious leaders are held in high esteem in society and, therefore, should preach peaceful coexistence of supporters of all political parties,” he said.
CfSC programme coordinator Tobias Jere said religious and political leadership have a moral responsibility to prevent ethno-religious and political disputes by encouraging non-violent messages during party rallies.
UTM Party, Malawi Congress Party, Democratic Progressive Party, People’s Party and United Democratic Front signed the MoU committing to peaceful campaign.
