Malawi Launches Historical Day To Promote Unity And Tolerance

By Joseph Dumbula

For the first time in history, Malawi has launched a day 2^nd November as a day when stakeholders should be outlining means to promoting national unity, peace and tolerance with President Lazarus Chakwera describing the day as worthwhile.

During the launch in the capital Lilongwe, Chakwera said his regime perceives of such a day as a mark towards promotion consolidated development.

“This is the vision I have been in pursuit for the past three years by going to every region of the country to remind every citizen occupying every district of Malawi, including far places like Likoma Island, that they are all part of this country and that they matter to its development. I have graced every cultural celebration as truly Malawian and have welcomed every religious and political grouping as having a stake in our national development,” Chakwera continued.

But Chakwera insisted that there is need for the change to be spearheaded by political parties, cultural, religious and corporate leaders who he said ‘must use their voices and platforms to promote peace instead of instigating Malawians towards resentment, division, and disrespect, saying as leaders and citizens, everyone has a responsibility to be peacemakers’.

Malawi is the third most peaceful country in Africa and number 40 in the world according to the Global Peace Index 2019 (GPI) according to the Institute for Economics and Peace.

The country rose four places compared to last year’s Index where it was placed 36th in the world and 7th in Africa.

Mauritius leads the list in Africa followed by Botswana, then Malawi at position three.

Iceland remains the most peaceful country in the world, a position it has held since 2008. It is joined at the top of the GPI by New Zealand, Austria, Portugal, and Denmark.