Govt reunites warring ex-Press Agriculture employees resettled in Mchinji

Malawi: Malawi's government, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has successfully reunited two groups of former Press Agriculture Limited employees who were resettled at Lusa Estate 69 in Mchinji, writes Watipaso Mzungu.

The government recently relocated hundreds of ex-Press Agriculture Limited employees from Kasungu to Lusa Estate in Mchinji via the Office of the President and Cabinet.

However, since relocating to the farm in 2018, the reallocated ex-employees have fought among themselves over a variety of issues, including land distribution and leadership.

The conflict erupted near the end of 2021 when two groups known as Asomanje and Aboma clashed over a misunderstanding about leadership and land redistribution.

With financial support from UNDP, the Ministry of National Unity organised an interest-based mediation to help restore unity between the two groups, in collaboration with other key stakeholders from the Office of the President, Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC), Kasungu and Mchinji District Councils.

The mediation took place on April 27th and 28th, 2022, and the camps agreed to sheathe their daggers and allow peace and unity to reign among them.

Speaking at the agreement signing ceremony for amicable conflict resolution at Lusa Estate 69 on Tuesday, Minister of National Unity, Timothy Mtambo, praised the two groups for burying their differences in order to pursue social and economic activities that would benefit their families.

Mtambo expressed regret that the conflict had gotten out of hand, distracting people from doing things that could help develop not only their households and communities but the nation as a whole.

"I would like to remind everyone that the Tonse Alliance Government, led by His Excellency Dr Lazarus Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi, is dedicated to sustaining peace and unity in Malawi in order to establish harmony, order, justice, and prosperous society that upholds the fulfilment of human rights and dignity for all. It has been entrusted to my ministry to champion this cause by promoting sustainable peace and unity for resilience, patriotism, accountable governance, and inclusive national development," he said.

Mtambo asked Traditional Authority (T/A) Kapondo to integrate the resettlers, emphasising that this must be a long-term development plan to avoid unnecessary divisions that could lead to another conflict.

"As settlers at Lusa Estate, you have firsthand knowledge of how destructive and stressful conflicts can be. I'd like to challenge you to be the first in peacekeeping and conflict resolution. Most, if not all, of you, are aware that, for the first time in Malawian history, we now have a law designed to promote and sustain peace," he said.

T/A Kapondo assured the government of his support for the settlers in his remarks.

Meanwhile, Mtambo praised UNDP for providing financial assistance for the mediation through its Social Cohesion Project.