Evangelical Association of Malawi wants Ansah to resign for ‘peace and harmony’

Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM) which has 68 church denominations and 58 Christian organisations has issued a statement to make a fresh call for beleaguered Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson Jane Ansah to resign for peace and harmony to prevail in the country.

Embattled MEC chairperson Jane Ansah
Rev Msangaambe: Ansah must go for the sake of national peace and harmony

Signed by EAM board chairperson Chatha Msangaambe and general secretary the Reverend Francis Mkandawire, EAM statement states that Ansah’s clinging to the position is creating unnecessary tension and lawlessness in the country.

The statement comes amidst calls by Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) and other stakeholder  have been leading nationwide protests since June this year, demanding that Ansah resigns for presiding over a flawed May 21 presidential election in which President Peter Mutharika was declared winner.

In the statement made available to Nyasa Times, EAM said it is concerned with resurgence of politically motivated violence and breakdown of rule of law in the country.

It said Malawi is on a “self-destruction path” and that should be a cause for serious worry and a cause for serious reflection to all peace loving and patriotic Malawians.

The EAM observed that the divisions caused by the recent disputed electoral results have been further worsened by the prolonged demonstrations pressing for Ansah ouster.

“Currently, the conflict is taking some unhealthy and ugly tribal overtones. We are at the verge of civil strife. Unfortunately, our political leaders seem to be very indifferent to what is brewing up in our country. This is very sad,” reads the statement in part.

EAM has since asked Ansah to step aside for the sake of national peace and harmony, saying her continuation as chair of the electoral body against public outcry is creating unnecessary tensions and lawlessness in the country.

“It is not a weakness but a sign of strength, maturity and wisdom, to step aside, for the sake of national peace, especially when masses demand so. In fact, such an action would be a true sign of patriotism and a gesture of genuine love for our beloved nation,” reads the statement,

EAM has since appealed to HRDC leadership to stop demonstrations once government heeds to the call for Ansah to resign.

HRDC had vowed to continue with the nationwide demonstrations until Ansah resigns or is fired by Mutharika.

President Mutharika recently told BBC that he will not fire Ansah as demanded by the HRDC.

Ansah, a judge at Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal, has previously dismissed calls for her resignation, saying she will wait for the court process where Malawi Congress Party (MCP) presidential candidate Lazarus Chakwera and UTM Party presidential candidate Saulos Chilima are jointly challenging the results in the Constitutional Court and seeking nullification of the presidential poll results. They cite alleged flaws in the results management process as a key factor for their case.

The Malawi Law Society (MLS) recently also persuaded Ansah to “deeply reflect on the value of remaining in office” when her stay seems to be a cause for social disruption and political unrest.

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YOSWA MKONYOFU
YOSWA MKONYOFU
4 years ago

IN MANY CASES WHEN YOU ARE BEING INVESTIGATED AND THE CASE IS IN COURT THE OFFICIAL IS SENT ON LEAVE TO PAVE WAY FOR INVESTIGATIONS AND COURT PROCESS. RIGHT NOW WE HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE IN GOVT ON LEAVE PENDING COURT PROCEEDINGS, I HAVE IN MIND SOME SENIOR POLICE OFFICERS INVOLED IN PIONEER INVESTMENT CASE WHO ARE ON LEAVE. BUT THIS LADY CAN NOT STEP ASIDE. SHE IS SO SPECIAL COZ SHE IS A SUPREME COURT JUDGE, AM SURE THE PROFFESSION DOESNT ALLOW TO STEP ASIDE FOR INVESTIGATION UNTIL VINDICATED BY COURT.
SO DONT PLAY WITH SPECIAL PEOPLE

hardon
hardon
4 years ago

She must resign as soon as possible

Isaac
Isaac
4 years ago

Akuti atule pasi undindo kuchitila kuti pakhale bata ndimtendere mMalawi. Then when the court clears her she can then get her chair back. But insisting to remain in office when there is unrest in the country I don’t think that job will be enjoyable

apwiya
apwiya
4 years ago

Chatha Nsangambe you are indeed ended. Kodi sunachitebe retire? Look at his head he is grown up now . What wisdom can come from a dull head of EAM? Which public is crying in Malawi iif not only MCP UTm sponsored HRDC crying on the street. Chatha and Chakwera are one . During campaign period This guy was telling us members to vote for a church guy meaning Chakwera. You and Livingstonia synod zochita zanu ndi zimodzi kulowetsa ndale mu mpingo. Jane Ansah can not resign and should not be fired . She did nothing wrong. Let’s wait for the… Read more »

Nambewe
Nambewe
4 years ago

HOO yeah? so tomorrow if a gang wants you to resign all they have to do is protest? I disagree. Innocent until proved guilty!! The courts are in process. Jane has said very clearly that she in her opinion did the job according to policy. If the courts find her guilty then she will resign. EVERYBODY should be fair to Jane because she is also Malawian and she deserves the respect, protection and fairness that every Malawian deserves. You can’t allow thugs to start dictating what we do to our citizens! What is wrong with the opposition waiting until the… Read more »

namatetule
4 years ago

Ansah should not resign. Go to hell commercial preachers

Illegal President
Illegal President
4 years ago
Reply to  namatetule

Shame on you Nyapaphi

CHOKA SATANA
4 years ago

WE ARE ONLY BUT STRANGERS AND PASSERSBY ON THIS LAND ( EARTH )—‘JANE ANSAH AS A LEARNED JUDGE AND A WOMAN OF GOD YOU KNOW THIS —-WHY BEHAVING AS IF THESE POSITIONS WILL TAKE YOU TO HEAVEN (PARADISE ?) THINK TWICE( SAVE THE LIVES OF PEOPLE —GOD WILL BLESS YOU —-AMEN !

I'm That I am
4 years ago
Reply to  CHOKA SATANA

Do you have any common sense? on what grounds should Ansah resign? Do you want her to resign simply because you want her to do so? If indeed you have serious reasons to call for her resignation in regard to the manner in which elections were conducted, why not wait for the court’s verdict? Remember that Malawians are not only utm and mcp supporters

Agenda Setting Theory
Agenda Setting Theory
4 years ago

How much is Jane’s salary at her second job MEC?

little jojo
little jojo
4 years ago

Very interesting views of men of God. Asking Ansah to resign before the Court declares that she messed up the election. this is just like asking someone to jump into hell before the Last Judgment. Even the Lord who knows we are all sinners will not send us there until the Judgment day. The Book you preach from says “be angry but do not sin and do not let the sun go down whilst you are still angry,” (Ephesians 4:26) The problem of Malawi is not Ansah but you fellow church minister who has led some Malawians to be angry… Read more »

Illegal President
Illegal President
4 years ago
Reply to  little jojo

umbuli ndi ngozi yoopsya zedi. She could have stepped aside awaiting the courts outcome.

I'm That I am
4 years ago

you demand her to step down and she tells you to wait for the court’s verdict because that’s where the matter is. So who is mbuli here? Iweyo ukadakhala wozindikira ukanadzxiwiratu kuti kukakamiza Ansah kutula pansi udindo nkhani isanagamulidwe ndi umbuli wotheratu and ndi ufiti….ng’oooo!

Tati
Tati
4 years ago

Very very shallow opinion from a church group! Can’t you see that the political impasse currently in Malawi is beyond Dr. Jane Ansah? She’s being used as a pawn but she’s not the issue. MCP and UTM are using HRDC and spending sleepless nights and a hell lot of money for something bigger than the resignation of Jane Ansah!
Poor you, you can’t read between the lines! How myopic!

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