Livingstonia Synod of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) has said it is ready to engage two major political parties, the governing Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), in discussions aimed at addressing cases of political violence.

It says peace is key to the holding of free and fair elections.

This is happening at a time Malawians are preparing for this year’s Local Government, Parliamentary and Presidential Elections.

Livingstonia Synod Deputy General Secretary Reverend Isiah Mhone said they had decided to make the move because MCP and DPP were key players on the political landscape.

“The church cannot keep on watching Malawians fighting and innocent people being hacked because of some power-hungry politicians.

“We are preachers [yes] but that does not mean that we should be watching [idly while] people [are] fighting. The people politicians work with are the same people we preach to. They are our Christians. So, we are able to assist these two parties because both parties acknowledged that they are aware that their members could be involved in the violence,” Mhone said.

He said they were hoping that political party leaders would accept to meet church leaders.

MCP publicity secretary Jassy Kabwira welcomed the synod’s idea, saying the party would always support groups that drive the agenda of peace and ending political violence

However, Kabwira said MCP would be comfortable if the church would be unbiased when addressing the matter.

She said the church had to look at evidence that is available on the ground.

“MCP always preaches peace. You will never hear MCP telling people to fight or hack people. This has been happening with DPP. Malawians heard DPP leaders telling people to beat MCP members or anyone dressing in MCP colours. This is what we expect the church to help address,” Kabwira said.

DPP publicity secretary Shadric Namalomba commended the church for the idea but distanced the party from cases of violence that are being registered in the country.

Namalomba accused MCP of sponsoring “thugs to hack our members and those who wish to hold demonstrations”.

“It’s not too late for the clergy to come in, though we wished this happened some time back.

“So, we want the church to do its work properly because we know MCP established military groups in all trading centres in the Central Region to deal with us when holding rallies. This could have stopped,” Namalomba said.

Meanwhile, political analyst George Chaima had said the synod’s decision should be fully supported, saying the church has different approaches that could help bring peace in a society.

“No one will hide that MCP members are perpetuating violence against DPP members and that DPP members are doing the same to MCP member