Malawi’s top Governance, Human Rights and Peace advocate Undule Mwakasungula has appealed to Malawians to embrace peace ahead of the high profile Presidential Election Case ruling on Monday 3rd February.
The call for peace follows a similar call from Malawi President Professor Arthur peter Mutharika, UTM leader Saulos Chilima and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) leader Lazarus Chakwera.
In a press statement issued on Friday, Mwakasungula said Malawians to accept the court verdict peacefully and move on as one nation.
He also condemned Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) demonstrations which have been happening in the country calling for the resignation of Malawi Electoral Commission Jane Ansah to resign accusing her of messing up the May 2019 Tripartite Elections.
Activist Mwakasungula said the demonstrations have negatively affected social-economic development of the country.
“We have seen very violent demonstrations taking place and these demonstrations have violated the rights of citizens, destroyed and affected many businesses.
“These demonstrations have affected the economy of the country as many business operations have reduced their productions, the flow of goods and revenue affected, with small local businesses disrupted contributing to the suffering of many Malawians.
Honestly speaking the demonstrations have impacted on the economy and affected the well-being of Malawians,” said Mwakasungula
He added that currently the nation is ‘bleeding’ due to the evil seed which has been planted in the minds of Malawians by politicians and some rights activists.
“The evil seed of mistrust, hate, hatred, ethnic divide, violence and very unfortunately even coming from the young people.
The young people have been manipulated to be key actors in violent demonstrations which is a very sad development for our nation,” he explained.
Mwakasungula then called upon peace loving Malawians preach peace and unity for the good of the country.
“As we are looking forward to the court ruling, the best and honorable sacrifice to give to the nation is to pursue peace, reconciliation and co-existence. Nothing else will be sweeter than taking this noble path for the good of our country,” said Mwakasungula
He added: “I am therefore appealing for clam and respecting whatever ruling will come out for the good of moving this country forward.
“I am also strongly appeal to our political leaders to refrain from inciting violence and ethnic hatred as that can put the nation further in crisis. We need peace, we need to progress as a nation for the sake of development.”
In the Presidential election case, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) President Chakwera and UTM Party led by Chilima are challenging the out-come of May Presidential Elections in which Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Professor Peter Mutharika was declared the winner.
Meanwhile, major political parties in the country namely DPP, MCP, and Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), United Democratic Front (UDF) have signed a peace pact ahead of the ruling.
