Umbrella body for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the country, CONGOMA has called on political party leaders to ensure that they manage expectations of their supporters on the possible outcomes of the ongoing electoral case at the Constitutional Court in Lilongwe.
Chairperson of CONGOMA National Governing Council Steve Duwa has told local media that the ruling on the case could go either way and therefore it is important that political leaders should prepare their supporters to accept whatever determination the court will make.
“We are planning to engage different stakeholders to discuss a number of issues happening in the country right now one of which is the court case. As CONGOMA, we believe that it is crucial that political party leaders should endeavor to manage expectations of their supporters regarding the case,’ said Duwa.
His sentiments come a few days after CONGOMA issued a statement on the current political challenges the country is facing.
In the statement Duwa jointly issued with Dr. Peter Chinoko, CONGOMA Board of Trustees Chairperson, CONGOMA plans to engage CSOs, Government, political leaders, security agents, the United Nations and Regional bodies to explore means of eliminating violence and looting during demonstrations.
In the statement CONGOMA is also commending Human Rights Defenders Coalition, the organization at the core of the demonstrations against Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), for suspending the demonstrations to pave the way for the smooth flow of the elections’ case.
“As CONGOMA we strongly commend this wise decision. We also commend earlier announcement by the leader of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) advising MCP followers not to throng and overcrowd the Court premises but follow the Court case from home or office on the radio. CONGOMA acknowledges all these efforts including other efforts by well-meaning stakeholders as means towards a peaceful resolution of the disputed elections,” said the statement.
CONGOMA then appeals to HRDC and the political parties to sustain the period of demonstrations and accept dialogue as a lasting solution to these challenges. It also calls upon the general public to national unity and good citizenship.
“We appeal to the organizers of the demonstrations to seriously consider sustaining the ceasefire period to allow for an impeded process of dialogue besides the current Court case. We also appeal to political parties to open up to genuine dialogue and continue advising their followers to exercise restraint and observe peaceful co-existence and rule of law.”