Working together in peace

T

he complexity of problems prevailing in the country sometimes manifest itself in the endless verbal confrontation between President Peter Mutharika and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president Lazarus Chakwera, who is the  leader of opposition in Parliament.

Antagonised by various socio-economic challenges, the two publicly confront each other, with one insulting and belittling the other while Malawians suffer helplessly and watch hopelessly.

This is frustrating to citizens who are eagerly waiting for solutions to numerous problems the leaders sidestep.

Jokes maybe entertaining to listeners and a relief for stress, but the way Mutharika and Chakwera describe each other are not funny. Rather, they provoke anger in both leaders and their followers.

The two better spend their creativity and energy on development issues than attacking others and defending themselves.

The verbal war between the DPP and MCP leaders is infecting our national psyche as it sows the seeds of intolerance and violence in Malawians.

Words prominent politician use, no matter how simple  they may be, have the power to shape attitudes and incite actions.

Therefore, the continued war of words and the anguish it evokes in their followers could be slowly building up into a wave of fanaticism  likely to assert itself in violence, hooliganism and other social ills.

It is a betrayal to the valiant patriots who suffered and died for this country to sow violence in a country which is far from fulfilling its pre-independence dreams.

It is against this background that I felt a deep joy on  the 2017 International Day of Peace when the President appealed to Malawians “to be proactive by establishing and strengthening… systems and processes for managing conflicts.”

It was encouraging to see him and Chakwera shaking hands and sharing the peace policy.

But the pressing question is: Are the two leaders really doing anything to manage their conflicts?

After their ceremonial handshake, camera-friendly smiles and riveting speeches, are they working together to implement the peace policy they shared?

Did their brief moment of unity symbolise heartfelt commitment or it was just a show?

At the beginning of Homer’s Odyssey, Odysseus full of longing and melancholy asks: “Does any person know who his father is?”

Every individual and community longs for a father—a leader who can offer protection, confidence, wisdom and guidance—when danger lurks.

This deep longing for a father-figure makes troubled Malawians look up to Mutharika for leadership.

But the President and his critics need to express themselves with respectful language.

Insulting  him would never help anyone find the spirit of father-figure we are seeking and solve our problems.

Philosophers say it is the duty of all good citizens to incite thought.

Really as good citizens, concerned with the challenges of our nation, Malawians need to say things that will make Mutharika think wisely and not react haphazardly.

The utterances directed at the President show the nation leans on him as a father figure.

What people say should not be taken literally, but rather symbolically. Their words are psychic facts, expressing deep realities of our country. What matters is not the mode of their expression, but rather the truth they reveal about our nation.

This vindicates the President’s opinion that our troubles are deeply rooted in our collective past. The nation is suffering from the pain of unhealed wounds.

For 53 years, we have collectively built a poor nation full of corruption and exploitation.

To end these problems, we must seek each other and unite regardless of tribes, party colours or creed.

We must collectively search for solutions and our leaders must inspire us with peace. n