Anglican bishop deplores Malawi political insults
The Right Reverend Brighton Vitta Malasa, the Anglican Bishop of the Upper Shire Diocese has echoed a statement by United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom (UK) governments in condemning reported inflammatory and derogatory public comments from the Malawi’s senior politicians politics which they say can fuel violence and bring in unnecessary tension.
Malasa has since advised the politicians to campaign in a dignified manner and be issues-based.
Malasa called on politician to campaign “in a dignified way, in a christian manner and in a God fearing way.”
He said all politicians being the children and creation of God, deserve all the respect and their rights must be respected at all times.
“We are not happy in the way our politicians do speak and as they are castigating each other we are not happy in such a way because human beings deserve respect, every human being is created in the image of God and needs respect and integrity,” he said.
“As Malawians we always say that we are a God fearing nation so I also think that as we go towards election we should still keep that God fearing aspect,” he added.
Meanwhile, Malasa has appealed to the government to consider tightening security to avoid mysterious attacks and threats towards rivarly political parties.
“We would like to urge government and the machinery to protect the people and protect their property,” he said.
British High Commissioner Michael Nevin and US Ambassador Jeanine Jackson recently issued a statement condemning inflammatory statements that have been made by politicians from both government and opposition blocs.
“We support an election that is free, fair, credible and safe for all Malawians. Political partiesneed to play their part by campaigning responsibly and adhering to the electoral code of conduct,” they stated.
During the opening of a conflict management training for political party leaders recently in Lilongwe, Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson Maxon Mbendera, who is also a Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal Judge, also expressed concern about the same and asked political parties to engage in positive politics where the competition is based on policies and manifestoes.
He warned against negative rhetoric which could degenerate into violence if not properly managed
Mbendera also implored leaders of various political parties to influence their members to refrain from acts of violence or uttering statements that can easily bring about unnecessary tension that could affect the process of free and fair elections.
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