MALAWI: Peace through civic education

The University of Malawi may have averted political violence during last month's presidential elections, where President Bingu Wa Mutharika was elected for another five-year term, by offering civic education to its students. Ugly scenes on campus that marred previous polls did not materialise despite the presence of political party branches where students with different affiliations have clashed in the past.

Wa Mutharika - the university chancellor and reportedly planning to build a university in his home area - was pitted in the election against Malawi Congress Party candidate and veteran opposition leader John Tembo.

The university's students union said in a statement last week: "There has been a marked improvement. There were no clashes as in previous years. Civic society played a major role, not only here but at other institutions."

One civic education organisation, Demokalase Yathu (Our Democracy), visited universities to teach students how to prevent violence during elections. It was one of 69 organisations accredited by the Malawi Electoral Commission to conduct civic and voter education for this year's elections.

Analysts have attributed Wa Mutharika's victory to his success in maintaining a vibrant economy and stability, compared with nearby countries such as Zimbabwe and Kenya that have witnessed electoral violence and had unity governments forced on their people as incumbent leaders resorted to rigging to remain in power.