By Deogratias Mmana:
The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) has made a passionate plea to all those in positions of authority—whether in government, opposition or civil service —to lead with integrity and compassion.
The body has also called upon candidates contesting in the forthcoming general elections to accept the results of the elections.
CCJP has made the call in a statement signed by all nine coordinators of the commission which include the eight Catholic dioceses and the national office.
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The statement has been issued as the Catholic Church worldwide marks the Jubilee Year 2025 — which it says is a sacred time of renewal, hope and restoration.
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CCJP is a social justice and advocacy arm of the Malawi Conference of the Catholic Bishops.
“To all political parties and actors, the election ahead should not divide us as enemies but unite us in common purpose— that of ad advancing Malawi.
“After the votes are counted, we must all accept the outcome with grace and work with those elected or provide constructive opposition for the sake of national progress,” the statement reads.
The commission also urged those in authority to lead with integrity and rise above partisan or nepotistic level reminding them that true leadership is service.
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“Listen to the cries of the poor struggling with living costs. Be moved to action by the youth yearning for opportunities, by the mothers who cannot feed their children, by the fathers who cannot find jobs, by the sick who cannot afford medicine. Place the welfare of the people above partisan or personal interests,” the statement reads.
In the statement, the commission highlights five issues of concern for Malawi. These include soaring cost of living and economic hardships; political intolerance, violence and threats to peace; endemic corruption and erosion of food governance; mismanagement of the mining and natural resources sector and electoral preparedness and democratic participation.
Despite the challenges Malawians are facing, CCJP has urged the citizens to not give up but to go and vote on September 16.
According to the commission, while the National Statistics Office projected 10,957,490 eligible voters for the September 16 elections, only about 7.16 million citizens (65 percent) have registered for the elections.
“This shortfall underscores growing disillusionment especially among young people who cite unfulfilled campaign pledges, limited socioeconomic progress, and a sense that their vote might not matter.
“We must prove them wrong -their vote does matter greatly. We call on all eligible Malawians: do not lose hope or withdraw from the political process. Your voice is crucial in shaping a better Malawi. Voting is not just a right, it is a moral duty for the common good,” says the commission.
The statement is signed by the following coordinators: Lewis Msiyadungu of CCJP national office in Lilongwe, Joseph Kampango of Blantyre Archdiocese, Fletcher Mbewe of Lilongwe Archdiocese, Anthony Bisenti of Chikwawa diocese, Lawrence Puliti of Dedza diocese, Cuthbert Mkandawire of Karonga diocese, Fr. Symon Mundisiye of Mangochi diocese, Felix Manda of Mzuzu diocese and Fr. Benedict Liyao of Zomba diocese.
