The government and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) have, separately, pledged to ensure peace and co-existence this festive season, as the country awaits the Constitutional Court verdict on the ongoing elections case.
In a statement released Tuesday, Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Mark Botomani, who is also the government’s spokesperson, said peace and rule of law remain priorities for the government.
In his Christmas message, MCP President, Lazarus Chakwera, urged Malawians to keep peace as they await judgement within 45 days from December 21 2019.
Botomani said the government has shown commitment to peace during the entire presidential election case hearing.
“As one way of demonstrating a gesture of peace, His Excellency the President Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika has met leaders of the Public Affairs Committee (Pac) and has reiterated his willingness to meet all parties involved in the case despite their lack of interest to do so,” the statement reads.
Botomani applauded the Constitutional Court for declaring that their verdict will not be influenced by public opinion saying this is reassuring to all peace-loving Malawians who cherish rule of law and independence of the courts.
“Let us embrace principles of peaceful coexistence and remain tolerant of each other despite differences in our opinion and political beliefs. Let us all respect the rule of law and accept the ruling of the Constitutional Court, whatever the outcome,” the statement reads.
Chakwera, on the other hand, said now that hearing of the case has ended, Malawians should place their faith in Jesus to lead the court to justice.
“Now that our evidence, witnesses, and lawyers have fought a good fight, for which all of us as a nation owe them an eternal debt of gratitude, let us maintain law and order and keep the peace as we wait for the court to deliver its ruling,” he said.
Several religious leaders have also being urging Malawians to be united this festive season after being heavily polarised in the wake of the disputed presidential elections on May 21 2019.
UTM and MCP are challenging results of the presidential election in court. By the time we went to press, UTM had not released a statement about the festive season.
Malawi has been tense since June 2019 with mass demonstrations organised by Human Rights Defenders Coalition bringing businesses to a standstill.
In a related development, Mbakuwaku Movement for Development President, Peter Kuwani, has also released a statement preaching love and peace in this festive season.
“Christmas is a weapon for unification of human race and the universal love of Jesus Christ is the remaining hope through which humankind will be liberated and unified and let love and justice spice up the religious and cultural celebration of the birth of the Prince of Peace. Merry Christmas and prosperous new year and let celebration of Christmas be the fountain of love and the rule of law,” Kuwani said.