Chakwera Gives Violence Cold Shoulder, Calls for Peace

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president Lazarus Chakwera has urged people to stop acts of violence as they hold demonstrations pushing for Malawi Electoral Commission Chairperson Jane Ansah’s resignation over May 21 presidential elections results management.

Chakwera made the call on Sunday when he visited areas surrounding Nsalu and Santhe in Lilongwe where there were reports of people attacking motorists.

On Thursday and Friday, some protesters engaged in arson, especially in Lilongwe, Mzuzu and Karonga.

Some people also attacked motorists on the Nsalu- Santhe Road.

The MCP leader visited Nyanda, Mang’a, Lisopa and Malembo areas in Lilongwe North West Constituency.

Chakwera encouraged people to be patient and avoid violence because the case of presidential election results was at the Constitutional Court sitting in Lilongwe.

Chakwera and UTM leader Saulos Chilima petitioned the court, seeking nullification of presidential election results citing irregularities.

“Up to today, I do not agree that someone in this country is the President. I am ready to fight for justice but let us maintain our peace; let us not destroy property. People should not take advantage of the situation to destroy and steal people’s property. Please, let us not break the law,” he said.

MCP director of youth, Richard Chimwendo, also pleaded with people in the area to desist from acts of violence as they hold demonstrations.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has said it would Wednesday notify Malawians on the way forward on the next round of protests.

HRDC and other concerned groups have been holding demonstrations to push for Ansah’s resignation over the manner in which the commission handled the presidential election results.