PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has launched a commission to investigate incidents involving breaches of peace and loss of human life that occurred across the country during and after the October 29 polls.

A State House statement said the president had appointed retired Chief Justice Mohamed Chande Othman to chair the commission, while other members include recently retired Chief Justice Prof. Ibrahim Hamis Juma; former Chief Secretary Ambassador Ombeni Sefue as well as Ambassador Radhia Msuya.

The commission also comprises retired Lt. Gen. Paul Meela who is also a former ambassador, retired Inspector General of Police (IGP) Said Mwema, veteran foreign service officer Ambassador David Kapya and former Defence and National Service minister Dr Stergomena Tax; also a former executive secretary to the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Meanwhile, former Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera held his first public engagement yesterday since losing the September 16 polls, announcing that he has accepted a Commonwealth assignment to help mediate Tanzania’s post-election tensions. 

In a press conference at the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) headquarters in Lilongwe, the MCP leader said his appointment as special envoy to Tanzania was formally communicated in a letter from Commonwealth Secretary General Shirley Botchwey sent a week ago.

He accepted this assignment after consulting President Peter Mutharika, who was ‘gracious enough to give me his full blessing to take on the assignment,’ he stated, hinting at his main task as seeking to foster peace as special envoy.

The Commonwealth Secretariat believes the former president can make a contribution to safeguarding Tanzania’s democracy, human rights and peace, he stated, expecting to undertake a four-day mission from late yesterday to Friday to meet top government officials.

He also expects to engage with political parties, civil society, religious and traditional leaders and other stakeholders as part of efforts to initiate national dialogue on reconciliation and development, he stated.

The communication affirmed that Chakwera’s “experience and leadership will be important in supporting constructive dialogue, the ordained pastor stated, urging Malawians to support the mission with prayers, saying the success of such assignments “depends on the grace of God and the goodwill of all who love peace.”

Malawi’s recent peaceful political transitions are evidence of growing democratic maturity in that country, he added