DONORS CALLS FOR VIOLENT-FREE CAMPAIGN

Donors to Malawi have called upon  all the stakeholders involved in the forthcoming tripartite election to make sure that the campaign period is violent free.

The call comes amid violence that took place in Thyolo over the weekend which left two people dead, a police officer and a civilian. The rally was for the ruling People’s party led by Joyce Banda.

“As the official election campaign draws nearer, we urge all those with authority and influence, including traditional leaders to use it for a violence-free campaign where all parties can campaign on an equal footing in all areas.”

“We send our condolences to all those affected. We urge all Malawians to shun violence in this election period and for politicians and the public to focus on the issues that matter to Malawians,” reads part of the statement.

Donors further said the responsibility of maintaining peace in campaign rallies should not be left in the hands of police only.

Donors said this in a joint statement released  on March 18 2014 and it was signed almost all donors to Malawi which include British High Commission, European Union, and Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, United States of America, Royal Norwegian Embassy and United Nations.

Meanwhile President Banda has said she will not condone any acts of violence anymore