Peace commission delay worries experts
As preparations for the 2025 Tripartite Elections have started, experts have expressed worry over the absence of the Peace and Unity Commission which is critical in defusing conflict and political violence.
President Lazarus Chakwera assented to the Peace and Unity Act (2022) in May 2022 after it was enacted by Parliament. However, despite the law stipulating the establishment of the commission for implementation, it is yet to be established.
In an interview, a peace and security expert Dicks Mfune said the commission, which is expected to comprise district peace committees, is crucial as it will help to ensure peaceful elections in 2025 and beyond.
Mfune, who is chairperson of the Inter-University Network for Peace Education and Security Development, said it is important that government establishes the Peace and Unity Commission because it will provide a platform for mediation and conflict resolution.
He said: “For example, we have conflict in the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party [DPP], and we experienced a scenario whereby the Malawi Congress Party [MCP] and UTM Party supporters clashed in the presence of President [Lazarus Chakwera] and Vice-President [Saulos Chilima], and as we approach the elections in 2025.
“These are early warning signs of political tension, and the commission has a big role to play in these issues. We need it.”
In a separate interview, Centre for Social Accountability Initiative executive director Willy Kambwandira said the commission is not only an essential feature of democracy and sustainable development, but provides mechanisms for addressing root causes and drivers of tension and conflicts.
“Actually, we needed the Peace and Unity Commission yesterday. Otherwise, the continued delay to put in place this commission does not only frustrate achievements of SGD 16 but its a recipe for disasters,” he said.
Kambwandira further described the delays in establishing the commission as worrisome, urging government to institute it without further delay.
The Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) had not responded to our questionnaire by press time on whether there is any progress in instituting the commission.
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has already started preparing for the 2025 Tripartite Elections through, among others, engaging political party representatives and other stakeholders, to sensitise them to the amended Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections (PPLGE) Act.
MEC will soon launch its Strategic Plan for 2023-2028 and the 2025 General Election Operational Plan.
In an earlier interview, MEC director of media and public relations Sangwani Mwafulirwa warned that with the new PPLGE Act, the immunity for campaign utterances was removed and if people incite violence with their campaign speeches, they will be prosecuted.
In addition to the code of conduct, the PPLGE Act provides for a penalty of K10 million and imprisonment for five years for those who violate campaign regulations.
He said unlike in the past, the law stipulates a penalty of K5 million for violation of the code of conduct.
Where a political party or person fails to pay the penalty, or having paid the penalty continues to breach the code of conduct, the commission has been given power to disqualify the political party or candidate from participating in that election.
