LocationsHow Machinga Worked Toward a Peaceful Election
December 22, 2025
Senior Chief Mizinga (in the middle) holding hands with two district party governors for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and People’s party
When the dust of the campaign trail finally settled in Machinga District, in Malawi’s southern region, something remarkable happened. A place long associated with political tension began to show a different face, one of unity, vigilance, and hope.
For years, and especially during the tense six-week lead-up to election, Machinga had carried a difficult reputation. Stone-throwing, clashes between party supporters, torn flags and violent scenes during primaries had become part of its political story.
But in 2025, that story took a new turn.
With steady leadership from the Chairperson of the District Peace and Unity Committee (DPUC), Senior Chief Mizinga, and support from the Malawi Peace and Unity Commission (MPUC) funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), the district managed to hold peaceful elections, with minimal number of incidents during and after the polls.
Local leaders remember how volatile the district once was. Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Constituency Governor Benard Milembo recalls primary elections as a flashpoint, saying, “Many candidates had concerns about how the primaries were conducted.”
Others carry memories of even more turbulent times. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Constituency Governor Mussah Austin and District Governor Idrussi Akimu speak of years when political followers routinely hurled stones at each other.
This was particularly troubling in the 2008–2009 period. They also remember the early multiparty era of the mid-90s, when rallies were disrupted and even chiefs faced attacks.
Against that history, the calm observed during polling and after the announcement of results in the 2025 elections represents a significant shift, particularly when viewed against the violent incidents reported in Mselema and other areas in the lead-up to voting.
However, Machinga’s progress did not happen overnight or by chance. It was the result of deliberate, coordinated efforts to prevent conflict from erupting.
Senior Chief Mizinga’s leadership helped soften hardened political relationships. He remembers how earlier elections were defined by insults, shredded party cloth and youth mobilised for violence. “That was common in the past,” he says. “But things have changed since the committee was established and we committed ourselves to building peace.”
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Constituency Governor Mussah Austin (right) and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Constituency Governor Benard Milembo holding hands as a sign of peace.
A major part of this change came through early-warning and conflict-prevention training supported by MPUC. The training equipped chiefs, political leaders and youth groups to identify signs of trouble and intervene early.
“We stay alert for early warning signs and act quickly,” Senior Chief Mizinga explains. “We don’t wait for situations to escalate; we try to defuse them early.”
One of those early-warning moments came when party flags were torn down at Sitola, a location known in the past for its political frictions. Instead of letting anger build, the DPUC immediately mobilised local leaders, youth representatives and political party officials for a rapid-response dialogue. They reminded everyone that incidents like this often ignite larger conflicts. With the parties engaged, tensions began to ease. “Since then, there have been no further issues in that area,” the Chief noted. It became a powerful example of the early-warning system in action.
Another turning point was the peace pledge, in which political parties publicly committed themselves to peaceful campaigns and respect for election outcomes. According to Milembo, the pledge “brought peace and harmony during the elections.” After signing, he travelled across his zones, spreading the message. “We encouraged them to accept the outcome and they listened,” he says.
The message resonated across party lines. Austin recounts how he convened more than twenty zone governors to reinforce peace. “If we want people to join us, we need to act with maturity,” he explains. That maturity paid off, supporters from rival parties even began treating him as a friend.
Akimu shares this sentiment, recalling how it became clear that “we are all in the same boat, if one of us creates trouble, we all suffer.”
In the days before voting, peacebuilding efforts became more visible. Youth, chiefs, police and political representatives held community engagements and public meetings to show that Machinga was choosing a new path. The presence of the DPUC in communities reassured many and strengthened expectations of non-violence.
Election day came and went without incident. Party leaders communicated across the divides, and supporters remained calm, even in areas once known for hostility. As Milembo reflected, “This year’s elections ran smoothly… There were no cases of violence during or after polling.”
After the results were announced, the DPUC remained vigilant, ready to intercept any concerns before they escalated. Leaders reminded communities that politics is temporary, but relationships endure. As one governor put it, “We do politics together.”
The 2025 election became a defining moment for Machinga. Through committed leadership, strong peace structures, and support from the Peacebuilding Fund, the district proved that even places scarred by long histories of tension can rewrite their narrative. This year, unity triumphed over conflict, a lesson that will guide Machinga long after the ballots are gone.
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