US envoy calls for respect the rule of law
United States Ambassador Robert Scott has asked Malawians to respect the rule of law as the country awaits the Constitutional Court ruling on the presidential election petition case.
The diplomat was speaking in an interview on Monday at Mzuzu University, saying respecting the rule of law will be of a great benefit to the country.
Scott said during the past six months that he has been in Malawi, he has noted that the country has a vibrant political situation at a period when everyone is waiting for the court’s ruling.
He, therefore, called on the donor community and all leaders to respect the court outcome and to move on after the ruling.
Scott said: “The leaders should express themselves to all their followers that they will move on, whatever the ruling will be. There should not be violence after the determination and that is the way Malawi will grow and succeed into the future.”
On a positive note, Scott commended the decision to broadcast the court proceedings, saying it symbolise an open society.
Scott’s sentiments have followed similar calls of tolerance, peace and respect for the rule of law from various quarters, including the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, development partners, and members of the civil society.
The Constitutional Court is expected to make its determination of the presidential elections case by the second week of February.
The case followed the filing of a petition by presidential contenders in the May 21 2019 Tripartite Elections Saulos Chilima (UTM Party) and Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi Congress Party, challenging Malawi Electoral Commission ‘s declaration of Democratic Progressive Party President Peter Mutharika as winner.
Chilima and Chakwera cited a flawed electoral system as having affected the outcome of the elections.
During his visit to Mzuni, Scott donated eight computers to the university’s American Corner.
Recently, the US, also donated 20 000 books to the university following a fire that gutted down the library in 2015.
