Press Statement
The United Democratic Front is deeply concerned by the political violence which is fast becoming the norm in various parts of the country. The violence has so far claimed two lives, that of a policeman at Nsundwe Trading Centre and a young man in Karonga.
Scores of citizens including a human rights activist, Dr. Billy Mayaya have been injured while some business men have had their business premises vandalised.
Some members of the media have also been targets of harassment.
The UDF party sincerely condole the bereaved families for the loss of their beloved ones in this unfortunate manner.
We hope that all the relevant offices will be cooperative as the bereaved families seek justice.
We have said so many times as a party that violence in whatever form should not be allowed in a country where we have enjoyed peace and tranquility over the years.
Even the recent violence in in Nkhatabay and Makanjira are a clear indication that the country is slowly losing its trademark as the a Warm Heart of Africa.
Demonstrations for a cause as long as they are peaceful are a constitutional right. However, we suspect that some thuggery elements have infiltrated into the cause and have now highjacked the agenda.
This is an issue which the organisers should reflect on and go back to the drawing board so that these elements are nipped in the bud.
Of particular concern are the unconfirmed rumours that the violence is actually sponsored by some individuals whose interests for so doing are only known to themselves.
The use of our young people as tools for perpetuation of political or any form of violence is a gross abuse of human rights.
Political violence by its nature is an abuse of people rights.
Considering the manner in which the violence is happening, there are all indications that it has the potential to degenerate into a more serious social unrest which may claim more lives and not to mention damage or loss of properties belonging to innocent Malawians.
Surely as country we need to come together and stop the violence not only through written flowery statements but strategic and honest decisions and actions.
This is our problem and we hold the solution to this problem.
It is for this reason that the UDF party purposes the following;
1. Calling upon the appointing authority to expedite the reconstitution of the Human Rights Commission so that it can begin to function at this moment of need.
The country needs to know what actually led to the death of the Policeman and the young man and ascertain the veracity of the rumours flying around.
2.In a functioning democratic society these are human rights issues which need to be investigated by a Commission of Enquiry so that the citizenry and the world at large should know what exactly happened and and proposed appropriate actions.
We are fully aware that the Nsundwe murder suspects and others are currently in court and we have confidence in the independence of our judiciary.
However, the UDF is of the view that the courts alone will not be able dig deeper in terms of the real issues which are motivating our young people to be involved in these thuggery activities especially at Nsundwe in the absence of Commission of Enquiry. We must identify and deal with the cause.
3.We call upon all the youths in the country to resist any temptation to be used in causing political violence.
4. Continued honest,frank and all inclusive dialogue over national issues which are causing the current political impasse.
For whatever reasons we should not sacrifice the democratic gains we have achieved over the years.
Partisan politics should never be a motivation for us to destroy our own county.
api arts 