Maravi

Kufuor advises against violence during elections

Kufuor advises against violence during elections
Written by Mwala Kalaluka
Thursday, February 26, 2009 5:41:39 AM

FORMER Ghanaian president John Kufour on Wednesday said there is need to create an environment where the rule of law takes its course other than violence during elections on the continent.

And President Rupiah Banda has said African countries need unity and peace to develop, especially in the midst of the global financial crisis.

During a stop-over meeting with President Banda at the Lusaka International Airport, Kufuor said he was from Malawi where, together with former Mozambican president Joachim Chissano, they met different stakeholders in the run up to the general elections in that country.

Kufuor, who is also former African Union (AU) chairperson, said he was on the six-day mission in Lilongwe on behalf of the AU.

"We want to ensure that all our stakeholders in our countries are complying with the rule of law," Kufuor said. "We want to allow the due process of the law to take its course other than violence during elections."

Kufour said he was happy to hear that President Banda was firmly in control of affairs in Zambia and that he had continued with the good works.

Ghanaian High Commissioner to Zambia Dr William Brandful said Kufuor's mission to Malawi was premised on the fact that the AU had taken elections on the continent as a serious area of study and focus.

High Commissioner Brandful told journalists that Kufour together with Chissano met all the three presidential contenders in Malawi, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) and various other interest groups with a view of creating a conducive environment for elections to take place.

And President Banda said he was happy with what Kufour was doing on behalf of the AU in Malawi.

"Our countries indeed, need peace and unity to develop, especially with the global economic crisis over which we have no control," said President Banda. "We should manage what we have control over, which is peace and unity in our countries...I am very happy to welcome you here."

Labels: ELECTIONS, JOHN KUFUOR

posted by MrK @ 5:42 AM