Saving Malawi from itself?

The AU is apparently concerned about the risk of violence before, during or after the forthcoming general election. It has sent a team of eminent Africans to look into the situation. During its return visit the mission has brought together Malawi political leaders. According to press reports President Chissano emphasised that the mission’s “ mandate is to facilitate inter-political party dialogue; our mission is preventive diplomacy to prevent possible pre-election violence". These African initiatives are welcome, especially given the tragedies of Kenya and Zimbabwe and it they are not to dilute political contestation by imposing “consensus” and the now fashionable “power sharing.

 

My own suspicion is that the mission is much ado about nothing. This will be our fourth multparty election and we have grown up some. Much of the acrimonius language of our politicians and nyasanetters is not shared by the voters.

The effectiveness of such missions ultimately depends on the goodwill of our politicians. If the meetings are used for grandstanding or finger pointing then they will fail. Perhaps the single most important thing that can happen is the strengthening of confidence not so much among politicians themselves but in our electoral processes.