Take to task political parties, US Ambassador advises
United States Ambassador Jeanine Jackson has urged Malawians to take to task their political parties over their plans for the country for the 2014 tripartite elections to be meaningful.
Jackson was speaking at her residence in Lilongwe on Monday when she hosted several dignitaries to watch a live broadcast of second-term swearing-in ceremony of Barack Obama as president of the United States of America.
Said Jackson: “I would like to encourage all Malawians, men and especially women, to rally families and communities to get involved now in Malawi’s democratic process, leading to the 2014 elections. Malawians should ask their candidates and political parties to explain their policies and vision for Malawi.
“Political and economic success of Malawi and other democratic African States depend on the effectiveness and reliability of their democratic institutions at all levels.”
She said Malawi can learn from the American democratic politics.
“Of course, democracy is much more than just open, transparent, free and fair elections. Citizens must be empowered or must empower themselves to participate in democracy every day, not just when it comes to vote,” she said.
She pledged America’s continued support to Malawi, citing Pepfar, the Presidential Initiative on Malaria, the Feed the Future Initiative and climate change as some of the critical areas US will continue to assist Malawi.
