MALAWI: Bishops Urge Malawians To Maintain Peace As Judgment on Contested Presidential Election Case Is Due Monday, February 3
The long awaited ruling of the five judge panel of the High Court that were sitting as Constitutional Court on the disputed May 21 2019 presidential election in Malawi comes this Monday February 3, amidst fear and tension that it will be very difficult for everyone to embrace the outcome.
Against this background, the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) have reiterated their call for justice, peace and rule of law in the country, emphasizing that the most vulnerable are in the rural areas, who are victims of political violence.
In a statement that the Catholic Secretariat has released, dated 31st January 2020, the Bishops Conference who have just concluded their plenary meeting call upon all Catholics and people of good will to pray for justice, peace, reconciliation, unity and love.
“Now that we are aware that the Constitutional court will deliver its long awaited judgment on the presidential election case on Monday 3rd February 2020, we the Catholic bishops of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) reiterate our call to all Catholic and peace loving Malawians on the importance of maintaining peace and order,” reads the statement.
“We believe that our call for peace reflects the aspiration of the majority of people in this country particularly women and the vulnerable such as children and the elderly who are often victims of political violence,” say the Bishops.
As the nation awaits the ruling, there is fear that which ever side wins or loses in the case, it will be difficult for everyone to embrace the outcome. This is based on the fact that as the case was going on, there have been demonstrations going on in the country for the last eight months, often marred by violence during which some people have died and properties has been looted.
“We are deeply dismayed and appalled by the incidents of violence to human life manifested in the butchering of the elderly to be witches or wizards. At the bottom of all this is the state of lawlessness and disregard for the rule of law in this country,” the statement reads.
“We, as Pastors of the soul, entrusted with the duty and responsibility of promoting and defending life graciously endowed to us by the Creator, we cannot remain silent in the face of this clear and direct violation of human life,” the statement continues as it sternly warns the perpetrators against any form of violence directed towards the innocent members of the society.”
“We are deeply concerned about the state of poverty and hunger in this country. We continue to witness limited youth employment and economic opportunities. The so-called economic gains the country has registered have not translated into improved living standards for the poor people especially in the rural areas where people are getting poorer now than before,” the statement continues.
The Bishops Conference has also called upon the Parliament to enact laws and policies that will create a conducive environment for respect of the rights of all citizens. They also urge Government to translate the economic gains into poverty reduction for the rural people.
By Andrew Kaufa, smm
