CCAP Synod supports Malawi airport shutdown demos ‘to ensure electoral justice prevails’

Despite concerns of severe economic consequences if airports and border posts are closed as planned by the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC), the Livingstonia Synod of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) has backed the five-day vigils.

The synod’s general secretary the Reverend Levi Nyondo said the church will do what it can, including supporting the demonstrations to shut down the country’s major airports  and border posts to force Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson Jane Ansah to resign or President Peter Mutharika to fire her.

The five-day shutdown is slated for August 26 to 30 2019.

Rev Nyondo speaking during his sermon at a synod conference in Area 47 in Lilongwe on Sunday that the church will support and urge its members to participate in the protests peacefully.

He said the backing of the demonstrations is one way of showing Malawians the light leading to electoral justice.

“We will make sure electoral justice prevails,” stressed Nyondo.

He said Ansah should respect the will of Malawians and resign.

Nyondo said the church has vowed to fight together with the people – about 60 percent of the electorate – who are mourning that the presidential elections results were bastardised.

“When people have complains, what we need is to allow justice to prevail,” said Nyondo.

University of Malawi’s Chancellor College political science lecture Mustafa Hussein said “there is no problem for the church endorsing demonstration”, saying they have a purpose.

Meanwhile, economists have warned of severe economic consequences if airports and border posts are closed.

They have also warned that the planned protests will also likely dent the long-time international perception that Malawi is a stable and peaceful State.