By Evance Chisiano

Blantyre, December 25, Mana: National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust in Mangochi engaged Young Politician Union, a structure comprised of young people from seven political parties in the district, to preach the message of political tolerance and coexistence ahead of 2025 general election.

Recently, Mangochi NICE Trust had a pavilion at the 2024 International Human Rights Day commemoration at Mangochi Stadium where the trust showcased young people from seven political parties, symbolising coexistence as a crucial element in multiparty democracy.

NICE Trust District Coordinator for Mangochi, Joseph Chamambala said the trust engages youths from seven political parties in the district namely; Malawi Congress Party (MCP), United Democratic Party (DPP), United Democratic Front (UDF), Alliance for Democracy (Aford), United Transformation Movement (UTM), People Party (PP) and People Democratic Party (PDP) in the peace-building initiative.

“We took this initiative after learning from Mwasa Ward's by-election experience. We noted that youths were mostly used to incite violence,” Chamambala added, referring to the by-elections in Mangochi Municipal Ward which were rescheduled following interparty misunderstandings that escalated into violence.

Vice President, Michael Usi presided over the recent International Human Rights Day Commemorations and was eager to learn more about the role of the Young Politician Union and what they discuss during their meetings.

Nice displayed seven youths from MCP, DPP, UDF, Aford, UTM, PP and PDP in their party colours, explaining and explained to those that visited the pavilion that Young Politician Union was an attempt to peace building in the district which is known for political violence at the expense peace and coexistence.

Apart from engaging the youth representatives, NICE also engaged senior party leadership in the district to discourage them from using youth as tools for violence.

“We also engaged senior party leaders such as district governors and campaign directors so that they should stop using young people to disrupt political meetings,” Chamambala added, saying multiparty democracy demands coexistence of political parties.

He added that the Young Politician Union will go round the district’s political violence hot spots to preach the message of coexistence, citing Mangochi Town, Makawa, Namwera, and Mtakataka turn off.

A member of Young Politician Union who was among those that were showcased at the international Human Rights Day commemoration, Felix Ngolingoli said the union will play an active role in prevention of political violence before and after the elections as it has several outreach activities that will engage fellow youths on ‘Say No to Violence’.

Ngolingoli who is also a member of MCP Eastern Region Committee acknowledged that Mangochi has a bad record on politics of tolerance but said that the time is now for the district to use the Young Politician Union to do away with political intolerance.

“We will join hands to end political violence, violence has no room here. Previously, we had seen property being destroyed but this time around the youth will take a stand to prevent this,” he added.

Young Politician Union members meet every Friday at Mangochi NICE Trust offices where they discuss means and ways as to how the youth should contribute to peaceful elections.

DPP Youth representative in the Young Politician Union, Ishmael Saidi Chipala said the union unanimously agreed to “No violence” in political activities ahead of the 2025 General Election and insisted that young people in Mangochi will not be part of any form of political violence.

“We want peace and this is why we are preaching the messages of coexistence. There will be no room for disrupting political meetings in the district with Young Politician Union in place,” he added.

The NICE Trust in Mangochi supports the Young Politicians Union with relevant capacity-building sessions on democracy, good governance, and human rights aspects of elections.