Political violence and intolerance reared an ugly face again on Wednesday when some overzealous and probably politically connected hooligans hacked peaceful demonstrators who had gathered at the Memorial Tower in Area 18 in Lilongwe.
As that was not enough, these thugs, hacked some Democratic Progressive party (DPP) supporters who had escorted their vice president for the centre, Alfred Gangata, to the court.
All this was happening in full view of the police who to this day, are yet to arrest anyone. Political leaders from both divide, have not been firm enough in condemning and taking decisive action against the perpetrators of violence.
All this political violence and intolerance is happening at a time when the country is preparing for the general elections this year. Political violence during elections is a serious threat to democracy, peace, and stability. When left unchecked, it has dire consequences that extend beyond the immediate election period. The failure of political leaders to condemn or take decisive action against violence exacerbates the situation.
Malawi has made significant strides in democracy since adopting multiparty politics in 1994. However, the current wave of electoral violence has the potential to undermine free and fair elections by intimidating voters, suppressing opposition voices, and discouraging political participation. If citizens fear for their safety, they may opt out of voting, leading to illegitimate election outcomes.
This unchecked political violence can escalate into broader instability. These incidents can spiral into widespread civil unrest. Already, the major political parties;!Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and DPP have drawn no go zones for the other. This is a dangerous path to take and must be strongly condemned.
When political leaders fail to condemn violence, they send a dangerous message that intimidation and coercion are acceptable tactics. This emboldens party supporters to use violence as a tool for political gain, eroding Malawi’s democratic culture and fostering a legacy of intolerance.
Political violence often leads to human rights abuses, including physical attacks, destruction of property, and suppression of freedom of speech and association and assembly as we have witnessed several times; peaceful demonstrations being violently disrupted.
Political leaders in Malawi often remain silent or issue lukewarm statements when their supporters engage in violence. This indifference can be attributed to political expediency — leaders fear alienating their support base and, in some cases, may even benefit from the violence and a culture of impunity.
The role of political leaders in fostering peace and fair elections cannot be overstated. Without decisive action, the country risks sliding into a cycle of political intolerance and instability.
