In the letter, the Society has joined parties calling for President Peter Mutharika to play his executive authority to diffuse the current political heat scorching the country.

Signed by the Society’s Chairperson, Burton Mhango and Secretary, Martha Kaukonde, the letter says Mutharika’s conduct and involvement in the public sphere must reflect a desire to build a united nation under the constitutional order.

“While the presidential election result remains subject of a legal challenge in Constitutional Cause No. 1 of 2019 at the High Court in Lilongwe District Registry, President Prof. Peter Mutharika remains the president of the Republic and we therefore call upon the president to exercise his executive authority in the interest of national unity,’ reads the letter in part.

The Society has also asked UTM and Malawi Congress Party leaders to ensure that their public reaction to events in the country must reflect a desire to build a united nation as opposed to seek mere political authority.

“Equally, the political leaders of UTM and MCP must recognize and clearly inform their followers that while the presidential election result remains subject of a challenge in Constitution Cause No. 1 of 2019 at the High Court Lilongwe District Registry, President Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika remains the President of the entire Republic,” reads the letter.

To organizers of the nationwide protests, Human Rights Defenders Coalition, the Society says the Coalition should desist from tendency and temptation to assume legal correctness of their perspective on any electoral issues currently directly or indirectly being heard in court.

The Society has also called on members of parliament to desist the temptation to champion constitutionally thoughtless and divisive mechanisms and investing in political opportunism at the expense of clear constitutional framework that calls for unity and synergy as individuals enjoy rights.

The letter is the second one by MLS to the parties since the onset of political unrest in the aftermath of May 21 elections.

UTM president, Saulos Chilima and his MCP counterpart, Lazarus Chakwera, are challenging in court the presidential election that went in favor of President Mutharika.