CCJP Condemns Post-Election Violence

The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) has issued a statement condemning continued post-election violence in the country.

The issue of the statement came in following the incident that happened on Wednesday in Blantyre during Anti-Ansah demonstrations that were disrupted by suspected Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) cadets.

In a press statement released Thursday and signed by national coordinator Boniface Chibwana, CCJP has challenged the office of the President and relevant Parliamentary committee(s) to urgently address the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) leadership saga which is the bone of contention in the protests.

The commission has also called on the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) to investigate alleged cases of human rights violations perpetrated by police officers, MDF soldiers, DPP cadets and citizens during a spate of protests that have occurred since the May 21 elections.

He further called upon the Malawi Police Service to rise above partisan politics and put its house in order to adequately protect citizens at all times and reclaim the institution’s lost public trust.

According to Chibwana, the behavior by the country’s security agents has potential to encourage impunity and throw Malawi in a lawless and anungovernable society.

“Government’s blatant disregard for fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in our Constitution and numerous international human rights instruments, which the country is party to, cannot go without condemnation.  Squeezing the civic space for human rights defenders and muzzling the voice of citizens in their bid to seek justice runs counter to democratic tenets,” the statement reads in part.

Since the May 21 2019 elections, Malawi has witnessed nationwide and district based demonstrations as citizens continue to demand electoral justice.

During Wednesday fracas, HRDC member Billy Mayaya was assaulted by the suspected DPP cadets.