By Burnett Munthali

The Malawi Peace and Unity Commission has expressed concern over the increasing incidents of political violence in the country, despite political parties promising to promote tolerance.

The commission’s chairperson, Bishop Mary Mkosi, described the recent torching of tires on lawmakers’ vehicles at Parliament and the burning of a vehicle in Nselema, Machinga, as unacceptable in a democratic society.

Bishop Mkosi emphasized that citizens must understand the importance of promoting peace, as political violence threatens both social harmony and the democratic foundations of the nation.

Similarly, the Executive Director of the Center for Multiparty Democracy (CMD), Boneface Chibwana, questioned whether political parties genuinely uphold the message of peace or merely fail to ensure that their supporters coexist peacefully with others.

Recently, a group of people armed with machetes attacked Aford leader Enock Chihana, while another group assaulted women wearing MCP party cloth in Ndirande, Blantyre.