The Public Affairs Committee (PAC) has asked all stakeholders in the country to invest massively in civic education and provide necessary resources to ensure that youths in the country are no longer used as tools to incite violence as the country goes to the polls next year.
Making his address on behalf of all faith-based organisations during the Umodzi Day Celebration at Katoto Community Ground in Mzuzu, Reverend Mark Mkandawire said for a long time youths have been used to incite violence.
“In their nature, youths possess unique communication skills and are determined and passionate about anything they put their hearts into. It is time we should use this as an advantage to motivate them to value dialogue, peaceful coexistence, and tolerance, especially as we go to polls.
“As a committee, we have been supporting initiatives that advance unity and peace among youths; however, because of their vulnerability, some stakeholders are using their power to manipulate them into violence,” noted Mkandawire.
Chairperson for the Centre for Multiparty Democracy, Elias Chakwera, conceded that since independence, youths have been used as tools to incite violence against other parties and indeed other citizens.
“As one way of encouraging peaceful coexistence amongst Malawians regardless of their affiliations, the centre is working with party Secretary Generals to conduct meetings with their respective youth wings to ensure that they embrace dialogue as a means to conflict resolution.
“As a centre, we will continue to hold inter-party dialogues so that our country continues to be peaceful, as peace is beyond not having war. People should be able to exercise their right to hold political meetings and demonstrate among others without being intimidated or threatened,” said Chakwera.
While applauding the government for the establishment of Umodzi Day, Chakwera appealed to all political leaders to live the talk by encouraging youths in their parties to be tolerant.
Umodzi Day is an annual presidential initiative established in 2023 with the aim of encouraging peaceful coexistence amongst Malawians regardless of their religious, ethnic, or political beliefs.
This year, the event was commemorated under the theme “Cultivating a culture of peace through active youth engagement”.
