Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (Csat) has urged the youth in Mangochi District to refrain from political violence ahead of the September 16 2025 General Election.
Speaking on Wednesday during a training for the youth, Csat head of programme and policy Albert Lulaka said politicians use money to turn the youth into tools for violence.
“We are teaching them to say no and become peace champions instead. At the same time, we are also encouraging them to monitor the elections during the registration, campaign and after voting,” he said.
Mangochi District Council principal youth officer Kumbukani Manda said youths take part in political violence due to unemployment and poverty.
“This project gives the youth hope and a voice. Our council-led campaigns with the Malawi Electoral Commission struggled to reach remote areas, but Csat’s grassroots training aims to fill the gaps,” he said.
One of the participants, Paul Lwanda from Mponda in the district admitted that youths are involved in political violence.
“Most young people are poor and uneducated and when politicians offer money, they cannot refuse,” he said.
Lwanda, however, said after being empowered, the youth will now teach others to reject violence.
Funded by Germany’s Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations, the eight-month initiative trains young people in conflict resolution, election monitoring and resisting manipulation by politicians who take advantage of poverty to fuel violence.
The project targets three violence hotspots of Mponda, Chowe and Namavi in the district.
