MALAWI: ECM Condemns Emerging Political Violence
The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM)’s Commission for
Justice and Peace (CCJP) has condemned the acts of violence that have
resurfaced in the country as evidenced by the fracas and subsequent loss of
life in Thyolo-Goliati over the weekend.
Justice and Peace (CCJP) has condemned the acts of violence that have
resurfaced in the country as evidenced by the fracas and subsequent loss of
life in Thyolo-Goliati over the weekend.
In their statement issued on the 18th March
2014, and signed by CCJP
National Secretary Chris Chisoni stated
that no one must lose his or her life or get disfigured due to violence
emanating from political rallies.
2014, and signed by CCJP
National Secretary Chris Chisoni stated
that no one must lose his or her life or get disfigured due to violence
emanating from political rallies.
The statement further read that the right to life and
safety supersedes the right to political association and assembly as such; no
amount of political differences and verbal provocation should lead to any acts
of violence and sudden deaths or wounding of any person.
safety supersedes the right to political association and assembly as such; no
amount of political differences and verbal provocation should lead to any acts
of violence and sudden deaths or wounding of any person.
“We, the
Justice and Peace Commission, therefore, call upon all political leaders, their
supporters, the state security functionaries, traditional leaders and the general citizenry to remember always
to work for peace and calm at all times; and that during these hyped- elections
times, all must ensure safety and security of all that come to listen to
campaign issues that seek to ensure an informed citizenry that will make its
choice of leaders on May 20, 2014 based on their assessment of the leaders that
have successfully won their hearts not
by intimidation, nor coercion. We also call on the youths to refuse to be
abused by political leaders to perpetrate violence,” read the statement.
Justice and Peace Commission, therefore, call upon all political leaders, their
supporters, the state security functionaries, traditional leaders and the general citizenry to remember always
to work for peace and calm at all times; and that during these hyped- elections
times, all must ensure safety and security of all that come to listen to
campaign issues that seek to ensure an informed citizenry that will make its
choice of leaders on May 20, 2014 based on their assessment of the leaders that
have successfully won their hearts not
by intimidation, nor coercion. We also call on the youths to refuse to be
abused by political leaders to perpetrate violence,” read the statement.
The statement came about following the violence that
erupted on Sunday shortly after an election rally led by President Joyce Banda
at Goliyati village in a stronghold of her rival Peter Mutharika of the former
ruling Democratic Progressive Party.
erupted on Sunday shortly after an election rally led by President Joyce Banda
at Goliyati village in a stronghold of her rival Peter Mutharika of the former
ruling Democratic Progressive Party.
Reports from Malawi said a police officer was axed to
death and a protester was shot dead in clashes with stone-throwing opposition
activists after police fired tear gas to disperse the hostile crowd. The
protester was killed when police fired into the crowd in what a police
spokeswoman described as an act of “self defense”.
death and a protester was shot dead in clashes with stone-throwing opposition
activists after police fired tear gas to disperse the hostile crowd. The
protester was killed when police fired into the crowd in what a police
spokeswoman described as an act of “self defense”.
The President of Malawi Mrs. Joyce Banda said she was saddened
by the killing of a police officer who was enforcing peace, calm, law and order.
She said that the clashes between opposition protesters were politically
motivated and called for a thorough investigation.
by the killing of a police officer who was enforcing peace, calm, law and order.
She said that the clashes between opposition protesters were politically
motivated and called for a thorough investigation.
Malawi heads to the polls on May 20 for presidential,
parliamentary and local elections.
parliamentary and local elections.
SOURCE:
ECM Communication Office and News Agencies
ECM Communication Office and News Agencies
Full Media Statement…(https://communications.amecea.org/index.php/humble-beginning/)
