CCJP Champions Peace Ahead of 16 September General Elections

The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) has reaffirmed its commitment in ensuring that Malawi hosts free, fair, and credible elections by making sure that peace prevails across the country.

This commitment has been made during a training of trainers’ academy on electoral management skills in Lilongwe, ahead of the 16 September general elections.

CCJP Programs Officer Gollie Khonje, highlighted that CCJP believes preventing conflicts and ensuring everyone’s participation in free and fair elections is crucial for the nation.

“We believe that conflict can arise from embedded issues that have happened before and are also happening now. So, we believe if we pinpoint those issues, we can be able to prevent violence,” explained Khonje.

Khonje called for collaborative efforts among various stakeholders if the nation is to achieve its goal of having free, fair, and violence-free elections, observing the current state of peace as worrisome.

“I think we’re not doing well. I would say there’s more that we need to do to prevent any escalation beyond this point. So, we believe if indeed we can take part in this, any initiatives that are there, we can do it,” she added.

In his remarks, CCJP Acting Coordinator in the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe and a participant in the training, Fletcher Mbewe, expressed confidence that the knowledge gained will help them sensitize communities on the need for peace.

“As you know, CCJP, we advocate for peaceful elections. So, with these coming elections, we are supposed to take part in making sure that these elections are free and fair, and also, we need to sensitize those people about the importance of them taking part in elections,” Mbewe said.

Mbewe then committed to championing the message of peace in communities to achieve the goal of a peaceful election.

“We have to go to the communities and make sure we sensitize them. So, as far as elections are concerned, they should, one, take part in the electoral process. They should also avoid getting involved in violent activities. And also, they should also make sure they manage conflicts when they arise,” he added.

As September 16 draws closer, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) will on Monday, 14 July, launch the official campaign period, with a number of stakeholders calling for unity and tolerance among various political parties for the period to be violence-free.