Nankhumwa Calls for Mediation; ready for talks with Chakwera, Chilima

Vice president for the south for Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Kondwani Nankhumwa has said he is ready to have talk with Malawi Congress Party (MCP) leader Lazarus Chakwera and his counterpart Saulos Chilima of United Transformation Movement (UTM).

Nankhumwa made the call during a DPP victory rally held at Nyambadwe Primary School Ground in Blantyre on Sunday.
Nakhumwa’s remarks came in following demonstrations that have been taking place in the country following the misunderstanding of the May 21, presidential results of which Chakwera and Chilima are challenging the results.

According to Nankhumwa, Malawi’s political differences should be settled through peaceful means, such as mediation, rather than violent demonstrations that result in loss of life and property.

“The importance of political dialogue in order to achieve peace and security cannot be overemphasized. The post-election violence and hate speech that we’ve witnessed cannot continue if Malawi has to make any meaningful social and economic progress,” said Nankhumwa.

He further continued that continued that he is ready to meet Chakwera and Chilima to discuss how best the current political situation in Malawi could be managed for the good of the people of Malawi.

He continued by saying that it cannot be difficult to engage the two as he once worked with Chakwera in parliament and Chilima served as the vice president in the DPP government before forming his UTM.

The Agriculture minister further called former heads of state, Bakili Muluzi and Joyce Banda not leaving out former vice president Justine Malewezi, CSOs, religious and traditional leaders to intervene owing to their legacy as champions of peace and national building.

“CSO, religious leaders and traditional leaders also have an important role too to promote peaceful co-existence amongst Malawians. I wish to call upon our media to desist from fuelling anarchy in this country through irresponsible reporting. The DPP is fully aware that the media has an important role to play in promoting peace and unity in this country in political diversity,” he said.

Meanwhile, MCP spokesperson Maurice Munthali has said his party will not take DPP calls for negotiations seriously unless there is formal communication on the same.

On his part UTM spokesperson Joseph Chidanti Malunga said the party is taking DPP calls for negotiations with caution as the governing party has been in the forefront castigation the opposition and unleashing terror.