LILONGWE, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- Six foreign ambassadors in Malawi on Friday issued a joint statement condemning the ongoing post-election violence in the country, calling for "prompt and impartial investigations."
The six foreign ambassadors of Germany, Ireland, Japan, Norway, Britain and the United States condemned "the criminal acts and hate speech" that have caused loss of lives, and damage to property as well as businesses.
"We condemn any form of violence. All efforts must be deployed to prevent further violence ... Holding individuals to account for their actions without discrimination is key," according to the statement.
The embassies urged all political parties contesting the May 21 presidential election results in court to respect the outcome, and to take tangible steps to ensure that their supporters do the same.
"An open and inclusive dialogue in view of consolidating democracy and accelerating development is the only way forward and (the process) would have our full support," the statement said.
Since June, the country's human rights activists and the opposition have been leading Malawians in demonstrations to force the Malawi Electoral Commission Chairperson Jane Ansah to resign on allegations that she had mismanaged the May 21 presidential election results.
Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court hearing the case in which the country's opposition parties are challenging the May 21 presidential poll results is expected to make judgment within the month.
