Young people from Mzuzu and Nkhata Bay District on Friday staged a peaceful demonstration and presented a petition to President Peter Mutharika and leaders of opposition parties through the Mzuzu City Council.
In the petition, the youths are demanding that political leaders should not use the youths to perpetrate violence during political rallies.
Escorted by police officers, the demonstration took place after the violence that occurred at Chibavi in the city during the solidarity rally held by Malawi Congress Party president Lazarus Chakwera and other opposition leaders where young people were spotted using pangas.
On the sidelines of the march, the youth under the banner of Education Literacy and Art (Ela) said politicians in the country should promote different talents rather than using the youth to advance their political agenda and later dump them.
“We are tired with the politicians in the country who keep abusing us. The youth are being used to hack people at rallies just like at the recent Chibavi rally and once the youth are arrested the politicians vanish. We have young prisoners today because of politicians. Youth are painted party colours at the rallies. Is that youth empowerment?’ questioned Mkandawire.
The petition is also asking government to introduce policies that deliberately aim at youth empowerment in order to ensure economic independence among them.
The youth argue that their talents such as singing, dancing, acrobatics and others can help bring development to the country if promoted.
Director of Parks and Environmental Affairs Godwin Pondelani who received the petition on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer said the council will forward the petition to the relevant authorities.
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