Press Statement
Lilongwe, 8th January, 2020
NO THANKS EU – FOCUS ON PEACE BUILDING
The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has been called to duty once more to address the nation, this time on matters related to the conduct of the European Union (EU) observer mission for the contested May 21, 2019 tripartite elections.
CDEDI has been reliably informed that the EU delegation will be arriving in the country on Wednesday, 8th January 2020 to present their report on the May 21, 2019 Tripartite Elections. We find their action as an attempt to disturb the country’s peace, which is Malawi’s most treasured gift that is currently being enjoyed by both the rich and poor.
CDEDI, just like any other peace-loving Malawian, finds the EU’s action ill-timed and as a futile attempt to undermine the country’s laws. This is unacceptable, considering the fact that the purported EU report would not be complete if it were not to tackle the Presidential election results which were part and parcel of the tripartite elections. Doing so, however, would likely be deemed to have contravened and/or pre-emptied the outcome of the Presidential election case which is currently in court and whose results are likely to be released by the Constitutional Court anytime soon.
The EU ought to realize that CDEDI and all other like-minded institutions were and are still busy preparing Malawians to keep calm and to accept the court ruling and move on. Therefore it is not only regrettable but also laughable to note that international bodies such as the EU would be coming in at this very crucial moment with information that may trigger debate and raise suspicions as we wait for the landmark court ruling.
CDEDI, therefore, is calling upon the EU to consider shelving their report and call off their press conference that was meant to make the purported report public. We are appealing to the EU to join CDEDI and all other stakeholders in instilling the spirit of love and calm in all Malawians as we are all patiently waiting for the Constitutional Court to make its determination on the Presidential elections case.
As CDEDI we will not hesitate to use all available legal means in order to stop the EU delegation from proceeding with their plans, should they decide to ignore our plea.
We are further appealing to the Malawi government through the foreign affairs ministry to ensure that the EU delegation does not tackle any matters related to the May 21, 2019 tripartite elections when they arrive in the country, because doing so would be regarded as proof that the EU is undermining the country’s laws in general, and the judicial system in particular.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
CDEDI is a non-partisan, nongovernmental organization established with a goal to have a well-informed and organized citizenry that can ably demand their social and economic rights at the same time hold duty bearers accountable for their actions.
Among many others CDEDI aims at sensitizing the masses on matters of national importance, inculcate the spirit of a peaceful coexistence among people of different ethnic, political and religious affiliations; provide civic education on people’s rights and responsibilities in economic independence and contribution towards national development and lobbying for the electoral law reforms.
SIGNED
MR. SYLVESTER NAMIWA
(CDEDI INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR)