By The NICE Trust
Malawi, often referred to as the "Warm Heart of Africa," has long been celebrated for its peaceful disposition and unified national identity.
However, several factors threaten to undermine this harmony. Among these are the phenomenon of political party strongholds, tribalism, regionalism and the emergence of party strongholds, also known as ‘no-go’ zones. These elements not only endanger the country's peace but also pose significant threats to democracy and other rights.
Political party strongholds refer to regions where a particular political party enjoys overwhelming support, often to the exclusion of other parties. These strongholds create a polarized political landscape, where the focus is more on party loyalty than on national unity and common good.
This phenomenon is not unique to Malawi. In Kenya, for instance, the Rift Valley and Central regions are known strongholds for the Jubilee Party, while the Nyanza Region predominantly supports the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). Similarly, in Nigeria, the Northern Region tends to favor the All Progressives Congress (APC), while the South-East and South-South regions are bastions for the People's Democratic Party (PDP).
In extreme cases, rival parties are actively prevented from campaigning, regrettably through intimidation or violence.
In Malawi, there have been instances when some parties have faced hostility in regions dominated by rivals. This creates a climate of fear and repression and undermines democratic processes. The idea of ‘no-go’ zones threatens the essence of democracy, which is predicated on free and fair competition among political entities.
The right of parties and candidates to compete for political power in areas they may not have majority support is crucial to multiparty democracy. Candidates and political parties must have freedom of movement during the campaign period. Parties and candidates also have the right to security regarding their lives and property during campaigns.
The freedom to campaign during elections is integral to democracy. Election campaigns are crucial for political parties and candidates to present their policies, positions and accounts for their records, whether in government or opposition. Voters have the right to hear out parties and candidates.
At the local government level, it is even more important for voters to see and hear the candidates standing for election and to be able to ask them questions or challenge them on their views, actions and promises.
Democratic elections require voters to be reasonably informed about the candidates and parties. This means that all parties have the right to campaign on an equal basis with other parties to get their messages across to voters.
Equality of competition for votes is critical. Parties and candidates also need a fair chance to compete to win the support of voters. ‘No-go’ zones deprive voters of getting information about parties, candidates and policies to make informed electoral choices.
Tribalism and regionalism further aggravate the problem of political party strongholds. In Malawi, as in many African countries, political affiliations often align with tribal and regional identities. This can lead to a situation where people vote based on ethnic loyalty rather than issues.
Tribalism and regionalism foster division and resentment among different groups. They create an ‘us versus them’ mentality, which can lead to social fragmentation and conflict. This division is detrimental to national unity and often sparks violence, especially during election periods.
Among the ways to address these challenges, Malawi requires a multifaceted approach in order to promote inclusive politics. Political parties should strive to be inclusive and represent all regions and tribes. This can be achieved through internal party reforms that promote diversity and discourage ethnic or regional favoritism.
Secondly, there is need to continually strive to strengthen democratic institutions. The Malawi Electoral Commission, the Judiciary and the Registrar of Political Parties should be empowered to ensure free and fair elections. This includes safeguarding the rights of all parties to campaign freely everywhere without fear.
Thirdly, we need continuous civic education for the populace on the dangers of tribalism, regionalism, and ‘no-go’ zones. Citizens should be encouraged to vote based on issues and performance rather than ethnic or regional loyalty.
Fourthly, it is important to establish platforms for dialogue and reconciliation among different ethnic and regional groups to help foster national unity. This includes addressing historical grievances and promoting a sense of shared national identity.
Finally, it is essential to make sure that laws against political intimidation and violence are strictly enforced. Perpetrators of such acts should be held accountable, regardless of their political affiliations for Malawians to experience peaceful elections in 2025.
The article was first published in The Nation newspaper in Malawi.