Chaponda lauds SADC for endorsing Malawi elections

Malawi has commended SADC for playing a key role in the country’s controversial electoral process resulting in the branding of the polls as free, fair, credible and transparent.

The country held chaotic tripartite elections on 20 May 2014 that threatened to undermine its 20 year old democracy.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Dr George Chaponda commended SADC for endorsing Malawi election when he was speaking on Thursday during the official opening of the meeting of the SADC council of ministers held at Elephants Hi Resort Hotel Conference Centre in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

The Council of Ministers oversees the functioning and development SADC and ensures that policies are properly implemented and consists of ministers from each member state, usually from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Economic Planning, or Finance.

Chaponda: SADC commended
Chaponda: SADC commended

At this meeting, Chaponda symbolically handed over the SADC Council of ministers’ chairmanship to his Zimbabwean counterpart Simbarashe Mumbengegwi.

“I am fairly convinced that this body (SADC) will play a similar role in the upcoming elections in the Region,” Chaponda said.

SADC declared the elections free, peaceful, and credible but cowed on insisting that Malawi’s political parties must follow the rule of law and respect the will of the Malawian people.

“My government is deeply pleased to note that regional, continental and international organisations also described the outcome of the elections as free, fair, credible and transparent,” Chaponda said.

He said SADC’s gesture is testament that the body is making tremendous headway on the path of consolidating and sustenance of the democratisation process of the region.

Mumbengegwi agreed with Chaponda saying the regional body should be proud for creating a peaceful and stable environment.

“We have come this far on account of our collective commitment and resolve to work together as we seek to make this region a better place for us all,” he said.

But he cautioned against complacency.

“The world is moving on and fast. It is critical that we ensure that we keep up. It is the implementation of our programmes that will positively impact the livelihood of our people,” Mumbengegwi said.

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