LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Party leaders have been challenged on escalation of political violence and shooting of innocent people during campaign period ahead of fresh presidential elections.

Grouping under the banner Concerned Citizens is worried with the spate of violence arguing is tantamount to dissolution of Malawi’s democracy.

The grouping told the news conference in the capital Lilongwe on Monday, June 8, 2020 that any political violence must not be entertained at all cost.

Concerned Citizen Chairperson Philip Kamangirah hinted that party leaders must embrace political tolerance ahead of the polls.

Kamangirah said no amount political violence can attract people’s votes during polls.

Below is the full Statement:

CONCERNED CITIZENS PRESS STATEMENT

STRONG CONDEMNATION OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE AND SHOOTING OF INNOCENT PEOPLE WAS PATHETIC

Our hearts are filled with sorrow and grief as we have just recently witnessed how people in authority can have no consciousness but to shoot, with the aim of killing, innocent protesters in a world that cherishes the fundamental rights of people to demonstrate.

Not only is it deplorable, not only is it outrageous, not only is it betrayal of ideals of freedoms of assembly, but further the incident at Nselema in Machinga has totally unmasked the primitive and dangerous kind of Politics we are practicing as a country.

We don’t praise any kind of political violence in any way but the live shooting of demonstrators was not just unfortunate but also very barbaric, egoistic, uncivilized and above all unacceptable.

Now the whole country is wondering, how could those with power and authority mercilessly gun down the powerless and weaponless? How could we turn weapons of war on a people that have not even carried any
dangerous weapon and are only expressing their dissatisfaction with your political ideals?

How could those that supported the vigilantes that murdered a police officer in Nsundwe who did not fire a bullet to protect himself? How come that someone could insensitively and recklessly battering down innocent women and
children?

It is disheartening that those that are toying with the idea of ruling the country can throw all caution to the wind and be at the frontline with bayonets and guns, ready to unleash them on the very same people they crave to rule. This counterproductive and excessive use of power is to the total contrary of what we have witnessed since the 2019 elections. So many people demonstrated and even looted property belonging to innocent civilians. So many people were harmed by those that were proponents of violence.

Despite all that, no single person was shot at. Violence was being resisted with peaceful means. Forgiveness was curing hatred. Now we wonder, and we absolutely wonder, that guns are getting turned on our women and children
whose only crime is to differ with the political ideologies of others.

It is imperative to state that we are in this precarious and seemingly antagonistic situation because these very same political leaders, dissatisfied with electoral results, opted to breeding violence. Little could they
foresee that violence breeds violence. It is never easy to uproot seeds of violence once they germinate.

These leaders’ hero-praised looters and vigilantes that caused havoc. Little could they see that they were planting seeds of resentment as they were violent advocates of lack of tolerance and differences of opinions.

We condemn, in the strongest sense, the senseless behaviour of gunning our people down in a country that has seen liberty flourishing for over half a century. We are people that are hungering for a Malawi that
respects the immutable rights of its citizenry.

We say, in strongest terms, that not even guns and bayonets will stifle the aspirations of the common man. Not only do we seek an apology from these trigger happy and excited politicians but compensation for the victims and the prosecution of those that gave the firing order as well as those, who, listening without reason, opened fire on women and children at Mselema in
Machinga.

We reiterate the universal truth as it remains unchanged and as it is entrenched in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article one states in broad sense that all human beings are born free and equal and should
be treated the same way.

In this regard, all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Now we question the political elite that had the courage to shoot unarmed citizens, is the shooting a manifestation of the spirit of brotherhood? Did these people not threaten the right to life of the people that were only displaying their displeasure with the political class?

It is appropriate to reiterate Article 3 of the very same charter as it brings to light the right to life. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of
person.

Now we ask, how supreme is the security of political elites to those that are governed and powerless whose being along the street called upon a barrage of bullets flying their way?

They scampered for their dear lives. More are traumatized and living in political fear. This abuse of personal power and using it to trample on the voiceless is despicable, senseless and shameful and has dented the peace-loving mantra of the nation.

This leaves us with no choice but to question the sincerity of the gun-toting political elites who trigger happy to maul down people. Now we ask, what if they ascend to the strata of political power, won’t they become worst dictators and non-listeners to dissenting voices?

IN CONCLUSION

We call upon the office of the Inspector General of Police to find out on those on duty when such an unfortunate incident took place and that all the perpetrators be brought to book. We continue preaching peace instead of hate
We advise our leaders to desist from hate and demeaning words that would provoke others into violence.

We are all one
Let us unite

Signed:
Philip Kamangirah
Willard Mhone
Moses Chione
Nathan Chabuka